Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-06-18
Army Corresponaence.
HONOR TO THE GALLANT AMI
7s--T ts BRAVE. t-H sdoil

| Ou tHo lNtu 'nee.s -~-' r>S's
Given and Msi. G. n. 0rosvenor. ,
the 18th Ohio Regiment, now siatione
near Murfreesboro. Tennessee. wei
each presented with 9 msgni6cer
sword, sash aud belt. by the officer
and men of the 18th, SIS q testimonit
of their esteem and confidence.
The swords and rigging were bot
purchased at the same time and wer
similar. They are chsste and expen
sive piece Of handlFort, tho scabbard
being richly plated and mounted wit
ornaments in gold OF handsome design
The grasp IS q large figure Of liberty
in solid silver, and The blade Of th
finest steel, with trimmings. lively,
large garnets are inserted to each, il
different parts Of the enblazonry, ant
add to its brilliant ornamentation.
/ will now transmit you q copy O
the brief speeches made on the occa
sion. The Begiment being formed il
front of Lieut.. Col. Given's tent, wa
called TO attention by Lieut.. John H
Acton, who made the presentation t
Lieut.. Col. Given in an energetic AMI
enthusiastic manner. To which Col
Given replied at length In an impres
sive and patriotic speech, which
should be pleased to send yor
a copy of, but cannot procure 1t
However, I will send you true copy
of the two latter. Dr.. W. w. Mills
from Gallia county, made the presenta
tion. to Major Grosvenor, in the fol
lowing elegant and interesting words
Submissive are not yeI
done with these pleasant exercises
By your request have the honor te
present to Major C. H. Grosvenor. 18th
Ohio Regiment, beautiful sword, bell
and sash.
Two years ago we were quietly pur'
suing the avocations Of civil ife.-
Twenty months since, we came togeth-
er at the call Of our country, most ol
US being strangers to each other. Up
on an occasion like this, / need not al
lude to our past history; but suffice il
to say, that during that time, you. sir
have shared with us the bardsbips,
privations, and trials, incident TO camp
life. During this time We have learned
to esteem you as an officer, and love
you as friend.
1t is well known by the members el
this Regiment, that it has always been
your chief ambition and most ardent
wish to be with your Regiment in its
first general engagement with the ene-
my; but, sir, owing to the inexorable
fates of war, we we're deprived of your
service during the memorable battle of
Stones River. Yet. sir, knowing your
mettle, we feel that you could have
hardly passed through that struggle
and a common expression
in the Regiment, after the battle was
this, "Had the Major been here be
would now be numbering among the
killed or wounded"
But, sir, now while the black clouds
Of war hang across the horizon Of our
and as yet only few glim-
mering rays of light. messengers Of
the coming peace are seen bidding us
to hope for better things; take this beau
tiful sword, unsheath it in the face of
the enemy, and return it no more to
its scabbard. until this unboly rebellion
shall have been ended.
Then, sir, when our country has
been restored, and peace, glorious
peace, once again reigns throughout
the length and breadth Of our land
keep this beautiful weapon, preserve it,
take 1t home with you, and may thai
day never dawn upon you, when you
will be unwilling to WELD it in defense
Of your country. ruE n
Again, in behalf of the officers and
men of your regiment, let me assure
you, that we make you this present In
good faith, as teslimon OF our es'
TEEN for you as an officer and gentle
man, and as an earnest of what we
hope for you in the future. H 4es
MAJOR eRosvEsoR's REPLY.
DR.. MILLs:-Permit me 10 thank you
for the very complimentary remarks
you have made in presenting to me this
beautiful present; and to you. officers
and soldiers. l tender my most earnest
thanks for this substantial and elegant
testimonial. i9s sa
In times ike these, amid the crash
and battle OF war, it III becomes a sol
dier 10 make long speeches, and dc
not propose to deviate from my practices
since I became one Of you. The bis
tory Of your rise and progress from ar
unorganized body Of earnestly loya
men 10 regiment Of thoroughly drilled
disciplined, and lighting veterans. hal
been ably and elegantly rehearsed BY
Col. Given. To his words I shall no
attempt to add. t
You all know my military history
1t is part Of that gallant Regiment t.
which 1 have the honor to belong.
have been with you. marched with you
and with you done most OF the duties
assigned you. How well you know
that is not for me to say. But once ]
had the misfortune 10 be away, and tha
was the very time so trying to YOU
courage and skill; that absence was my
misfortune, not yours. Iregretted /
then, and never shall cease to regret it
Not that thought / should add 70 youl
reputation, or to the lsurels that i'm.
partial history has entwined upon youl
brows; but that have failed to share