Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-03-31
TmR TWRNTIRru TRNNRasRR.

TUE TWRNTIETH TENN gssEE.
We have already noticed the fact that the
lady of Msjor-General Breekinridge had pre-
pared beautiful silk batile-Hsg, which her
husband was deputized to present to that regi
ment in his command which had displayed the
most galIantry in the service. His choies fell
upon the Goth Tennessee. Ga the 18th instant
the presentation ceremonies took place. After
describing the occasion of a grand review Of his
army by Gen. Johnston, the Tallahoma cores
pOndent of the Chattanooga Rebel gives the fol-
lowing account of what followed
But the masses are drifting toward another
part OF the field, and, like Paul Pry g will lust
drop in to see what's going on" hollow
square is formed Generals Johnston, Hardee
Breckinridge and Preston are there with their
respective stats; carriages filed with bright
eyed girls have drawn near Governor Harris
is there, and his face brightens into smile ike
old times. edged my way through the crowd
like a small boy with basket Of pies A Gag
is being presented to the Doth Tennessee regi-
ment by Col. O'HAra, Con BFeckinridQe's
chief of staff, and l viii furnish you with such
portions of his remarks as my memory. reserved
as pleasant little Teminiscence OF the war.
The flag was formed Of beautiful white and red
silk, made in triangles the points meeting ia the
center and clasping large shield:
81 have a duty devolving upon me to-day.
which / esteem an honor, and perform with
pleasure. / an deputisd to present to YOU a flag
wrought by the hands of lady of Kentucky
The inquiry may suggest itself; Wby the dis
tinguished gentleman charged to bestow this
banner, has not choseH to present it 20 q rezi-
mens from his own State The answer think
is too obvious TO nesd expression. I might
add that the noble Ksntuckisns who have re-
linquished ell the ties, and almost ell the
hopes Of home, to devote their lives and
their all to this Gauss, are contsntsd with the
assured appreciation Of their ilustrious com
mandsr and counirymsn, and With the proud
consciousness of having nobly done their
duty, and their constant and equsl devotion to
the common cause, leaves no criteri0n by which
their General might distinguish among them.
Hs and they feel that it is to a reginsnt of
some other State that the honor Of bearing this
flag will be more appropriately con61ed And
the General mas felt the deHcscy and difficulty
of making q selection among the various regi-
ments which constitute his command, aud many
Of which have won his admiration by their gal
liant conduct under his own eye in many
stricken field. After. mature consideration, how
ever, in view of its uniform gallantry aud
length of service under his command, be has
concluded that it is upon the 20th Tennessee reg
iment that these colors will be most properly be-
slowed In the first memorable battle on the
soil of Kentucky, in this war. the 20sh Tennes-
see was sgnszsd By its devoted patriotism aud
disciplined vslor. At Fishing Creek when the
sternsst were dismsyed, and the timid yielded to
the panic, the gallsntry Of tbs both Tennessee
shOne forth with conspicuous luster At Shiloh,
when the Teeling bsttslons of the enemy coUfess-
ed the superiority Of Southern val9r, the ban
ners of the Doth Tennessee were among the fora
most in that bloody struggle. At the bombard-
msnt of Vicksburg throughout the sulPhurous
carnival that ragged so M m4nY days sni nights
around that heroic city, tbs 20hh Tennessee /
stood barring its scared front to the storm Of
shot and shell. A. Baton Rouge, when our
Southern chivSlry rushed upon tho insolent in
vsder Of their country, the 20;h Tennessee was
again seen in the van of the battle At Muir
freesboTo', whether on the left Of S.ons river,
among the bloody cedsrs, or on the right,
in the fearful charge of the 2 Of January,
which laid low many s noble spirit, the
both Tennessee maintained its bright ren0wn
aud plucked new lauTsls from the jaws of
death Ia view of this record Of its heroic
service aud patriotic devotion it has been
decided feel assured with no cfsnsive discrim-
nation, to confer upon the 20lh Tennessee resi-
ment this beautiful banner wrought by the fair
hands of the most distinguished women OF Ken.
lucky. feel that | may safely undertake to
declare it is the opinion Of those ladies' that to
no more deserving and loyal custody could
this emblem Of our cause be confded, and let
me- felleW-soldiers, assure you that the man Of
Kentucky, that gallsns State, sbsre their opin
ions, and endorsd their award. They feel
also, that it is to no alien hands that this trust
is con6ded. While there is 8 pulse in the
heart of a member Of the goth Tennessee, they |
feel assured shat this emblem win be cherished |
aud guarded as more precious than life. In
this confidence, /, as their representative, COM
NIT this banner to your keeping. | believe that |
history has already determined the common po- /
litieal fate of Kentucky and Tennessee, and [
tdst this simple ceremony here to-day, is bat |
the symbol of the ahiiatien of two millions Of
people with The fortunes aud destiuy Of the |
Southern ConfederacY
Col Smith, the boy colonel Of the 20th Ten |
nessee, received the flag, and turning his eye
upon its futering folds, ssid;
" COLoEELi Ia behalf of the officers and !
soldiers Of my regiment, accept this beautiful I
Tag My language dOss not permit me to ex-
press my feelings on this occasion. This com /
piment, unexpected as it is, is doUbly pleasing,
coming as it does from Kentucky, the land Of
ehivalry, and from the nobest Of her daughters
4 State whose name is linked with tho brightest /
swels Of American history, her women are as
ovely as her mountain flowers For my officers
and soldiers, 1 thank you. When the storm Of
oattle RACES fsrcest, amid the widest conflict !
ne viii think of the fair donors and cling to
his banner For the complimentary manner. /
sir, in which you havs presented il, thank /
7Ou.
Soldiers 10 yeu commit this gift In its i
olds rests your honor. Let it never be con-
animated by foemsu's hand. Let the Con- I
Iederacy and The world see that in the hour Of /
ler darkest trials Tennessee viii stand By the 1
,oors of Kentucky, as they wQud by the /
standard of thsir native Stste. They feel that /
heir honor, their glory, their safety their people
ire one.r