The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-04-02
Sword Presentation.

from the presentation of a handsome sword
with suitable equipments, to General X. B.
AYREs, formerly captain in the fifth regular
artillery. The inscriptions upon the front of
the scabbard read, To General Romeyn b.
Ayres. From citizendof Portland. March
80, 1868. A scroll bears the names, Manassas,
Peninsula, Aatietdm, Rdppdhdnnock. On the
reverse, three links of chain inclose the
words, Honor, Fides, Virtus The sentiment
designed to be expressed by the device and
motto is this: that uirtus-fnanly bravery
and honor-the chivalrous spirit of the SOL
dier-are most complete and noble when they
are interlinked with the moral principle of
fidelity and truthfulness,
The design of the sword is new, elegant and
appropriate. The handle is of silver and rep
resents COLUMBIA, holding in her left hand a
branch of palm and in her right spear, with
which she is crushing a huge snake, represent
ing Secession, which forms the guard. The
scabbard is solid silver, ornamented with three
artistic tips, composed of various military EN-
blems and heavily gilt. The blade is Of the
finest steel, beautifully etched and gilt Ac-
IL 10 d IiCu Solu sWOTu kuDt, Ill
elegant generals sash and gold embroidered
regulation belt-all enclosed in an ebony cas-
ket studded with mother of pearl and lined
with white satin and velvet. This caskat has
a substantial packing case of russell leather
for transportation.
The sword and equipments were furnished
by Lowell & Senter, and came from the well
known establishment Of Schuyler, Hatchley &
Graham, New York.
A list of the donors has been beautifully en-
crossed by Robert A. Bird, Esq. on parch-
ment, artistically decorated by John b. Hud-
son, jr., tied with the national colors and en-
closed in highly ornamental casket.
The sword can be seen at Messrs. Lowell &
Senter's.
CORRESPONDENCE.
PORTLAND, March 30th, 1868.
To General r. b. Ayres:
Dear Strive have the honor to wait up
on you, at the request Of large number of
our fellow citizens, and to present to you
sword in their behalf, as a testimonial of their
high respect for your personal and profession
al character, and OF their gratitude for the in
valuable services you have rendered the coun-
try In the present war.
In the highly important and perilous posi-
tons you have been called to occupy, you
have merited and won national distinction.
Your friends aud townsmen of the city, to
whom you have been so long and So well
known, have observed with peculiar admira-
ton and pride, the courage, the professional
ability, and the patriotic devotion, which you
have dis layed on many arduous battle
fields.
They desire by the present testimonial 10
express their sense of what is due TO YOU as
one of tbs most accomplished, wel-tried and
faithful officers of the regular army. Upon
that branch OF the service, which you have so
conspicuously adorned, the country places an
indispensable reliance for the defence of the
Constitution aud the maintenance OF the I'm
ion. Your personal friends are well assured
that your conscious discharge of duty, and
your unsfained honor in your past military ca
reer, give pledge, which cannot be broken,
Of your future devotion to the great objects Of
the national life and welfare.
With the highest esteem and respect,
your friends and Obedient. Servants,
PHINEHAs BARNES,
NATHAN CUMMINGS,
JOHN b. BROWN,
A. w. III. CLAP,
SAMUEL Z. SPRING,
RUFUS L. WooD,
n. l. MILLER
JOHN NJ. ADAMS,
+. o. LIBBY.
PORTLAND, March 80, 1863.
Gentlemen: In the high compliment paid
me by many citizens of Portland, in their
handsome present, as well as in the compli-
mentary expression Of esteem accompanying
| it, / feel renewed assurance of that friendship
and regard, which many acts OF kindness to-
wards me and my family in times past, had al
ready convinced me existed, and which have
caused me to feel at home in Portland.
Many times during the present struggle, at
the close of hard fought battle, as the last
rays OF the setting sun were streaming across
a bloody field, pointing eastward, my mind has
been directed away to this distant land, and
have known and felt that should always be
welcomed here. Allow me, Gentlemen, to
express my warmest thanks through you for
this beautiful gift, and l think can say il will
never be dishonored.
Very truly, your friend and os't serv't,
r. b. AYREs, u. S. A.
To Messrs. PHIyEHAs BARNES,
NATHAN CUMMINGS,
JOHN b. Brown,
A. w. ii. CLAPP.
SAMUEL 4. SPRING,
RUFUS 4. WOOD,
n. j. MILLER.
S. X. SEYMOUR,
JOSEPH c. MOVES,
JOHN NJ. ADAMS,
Z. .. LIBBY.
Nominations