The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-07-22
I'm Honor OF Lieuse amt Mail.

The friends OF Lieutenant Ball, by way
OF testimonial Of their high apprecia.
ton OF services and character. procured a
handsome sword and an elegant pair Of
pistols to present him. And in order
that they might have suitable opportu-
pity OF rendering their farewell respects.
sumptuous repast was got up by mine
Host Of the Deming House to celebrate
the occasion. The spacious dining room
OF the hotel was elegantly festooned and
ornsmented with varied specimens of the
American Flag, and paintings and en-
cravings Of historic scenes and distin.
gaished patriots OF the psst and present
day.
The tables were spread most ipvitipgly
aud furnished forth most boun tiful)y
In The best style and BETTING the ac-
knowledged reputation of the Deming
House.
The guests of the evening consisted of
a fair representation Of the wit and beau
ty, talent and position Of the city. Sur
geon Taylor, in the absence of the Mayor,
who was prevented by sickness from at
tending, presided over the festivities of
the evening, and discharged his agreeable
duties with spirit and easy grace.
After the refreshments were duly dis
cussed, Geo. W. McCrary Esq. present
ed the sword and pistols to Lieutenant
Ball, and accompanied the act by the fol-
lowing admirable address:
This gathering, and
this demonstration in your honor, are in
themselves, far more expressive Of the
high regard in which you are held By
your fellow citizens and soldiers, at this
Post, than asy words which | eaH- en-.
ploy.
We have met together, and have invi-
ted you 10 meet with US, in order that We
might publicly testify to our appreciation
Of the energy and ability, and the devo-
ton to the cause of our Country which
have characterized your official acts as
commander of this post--A position from
which you are now about to retlresin or
der to join your victorious comrades in
the field. Before your departure, your
fellow citizens have desired TO present
son with some testimonial, which, where.
ever you may be 10 the future, whether
in the tented field, on the weary march
amid the din Of battle, or 10 the epioy
ment OF peace and home. shall remind
you tha, the patriotic people Of the City
OF keokuk, where you held con tnsnd
during the darkest days Of the accursed
rebellion, approved most heartily of your
course, and felt aud expressed a high re-
gard and admiration Tor your integrity az
man, your patriotism rs a citizen, your
courage and devotion as a soldier. aud
your ability and faithfulness as an officer.
That your duties here. have been trying
and important we all know; that YOU
have discharged them faithfully and weiii,
we are here to attest Having chosen
the profession of arms aud attained an
honorable position IN the regular army,
We know that your inclination, as well as
your duty leads YOU To the field, where,
you are TO share, with your noble regi
ment, in the great victories vet to be
achieved
As true soldier you have faithfully
served our good government IN the com
mand OF this post. And we know and
feel--and l take great pleasure in here
saying-that by your vigilance, You have
done much to sustain and strengthen the
cause OF tie government and the Union
along this border, threatened as it has
frequently been, with all the horrors of
civil strife; and for this we honor you TO-
night. And yet we know, tina: as true
soldier aud true patriot, you greatly
desire to take part in some Of the great
battles which are to characterize this
great struggle for liberty and free govern
ment upon this Continent. This desire
is most natural and most honorable. We
know too, that you 20 In obedience to
the call OF your comrades in arms, in the
noble regiment in which you hold com
mand--a call rendered necessary and al
most imperative by the fall of so many
gallant officers Of that regimen, in the re-
cent fierce battles in the vicinity of V:cks-
burg. Aud knowing these things, we
acquiesce, though ! assure you, with
many regrets, In the necessity which calls
you away. and content ourselves, as best
we can with the heartfelt expression of
our confidence and esteem, which we ten.
der you upon this occasion.
Although there is necessarily much
that is sad in the thought that you leave
US, after an association SO long continued
so agreeable, and,to us, at least, SO profitable,
to incur the dangers OF the camp and the
battle held, yet we can, and do, rejoice
IN knowing that you 60 forth armed to
do battle in the hottest cause in which
sword was ever drawn. aud to unite with
victorious army, and one that never
knew defeat. No soldier ever went to
the field under more cheering auspices
For more than two years, the contending
armies have struggled for the possession
and control of the mighty Mississippi
the great river of the continent, aye of
the world--the main artery of the Re-
Publ'c-the key to success in this con
Manv Eaxna to,,I.. I.uo 49,