The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-09-03

~ - O.. cfsy.1
sword RRooo0aaseon In Hamilton
1llanois.
| At meeting q the friends Of Capt
| VIM. A. J. Russell, Of Co. g, 10th Mo.
Infantry Volunteers, q the schooi mouse
1 in Hanilton, Ills, on Saturday, AusUt
10th. beautiful sword and sash was
presented 10 hin.
Tho sword and sash WAS paid for by
subscription by his numerous friends in
Hancock county. D. Smith Alvord,
Esq, on the. part of the friends Of Capt.
Russell, presented the testimonial in the
following address:
Captain Russell :-OA behalf of your
frisnds of Hamilton and vicinity, I pro-
sent to Jon this sword and sash - token
of their appreciation of services in the
army, and Of the energy and persever-
anos you have exhibited in raising your
company.
Upwards Of two years since, you left
our midst with twelve men, and by dint
of industry. in parts Of Illinois and Mis-
sour. you raised one of the best comps-
MES for Regiment that has never failed
to do it, duty whenever occasion pre-
sented. The Regiment to which you
are attached, the 10th Missouri, has been
in nearly every battle which has been
fought for the conquest Of the Mississippi
Valley, and the decimatsd ranks of your
own company tell how fearful has been
their ordeal, and how faithfully they pass
ed .hrought it.
We also present this testimonial to ycu
because We believe that You have sunk
the partisan in the patriot; that you take
the common sense and patriotic view;
that it is folly to quarrel about the policy
of Government, when the existence IT,
self Of that Government is in peril; that
it is follyto arouse political animosities in
regard 70 one Administration, whom the
question is, shall we have Government
under which we can have any Admins
tration.
Those that remain at home in this war
suffer but few of its ills, save the disrup-
ton of the ties of affection. yet they have
the same interest in the common cause a
the soldier; but the soldier perils life and
health, sacrifices the comforts of home,
and the society of friends. Hence it is
proper on occasions like this, and on oil
occasions, to seek to do honor to the faith
fal soldier. We should seek to make him
feel, that to be true soldier in the cause
of the Union, is to achieve the highest
honor.
! We trust that this sword will never be
sheathed until armed rebellion be sup
Pressed-until the old Banner. the ensign
of our nationality be recognised and re-
spsc'sd in every part Of our country, and
until the nations of the old world shall
learn that tree and enlightened people
can govern themselves, can ensure to its
citizens the largest liberty, and at the
same time have sufficient strength in its
Gossrnment to snppr... ah> for-.;a-
IDLE rebellion recorded in history.
Captain you are soon to leave us, to
return to your command. The we'll wishes
of your friends will 60 with you, and We
hope that you and your brave boys will
soon return with life and health, your
work done. with still greater honors, to
resume your positi ons a. citizens, and
reap the reward of those who faithfully
discharge perilous duty.
REPLY OF CAPT. RUSSELL.
Fellow-Citizens: Words are inadequate
to express the emotions of my heart upon
TINS occasion. Future action alone must
conclude the remarks l may make.
claim no particular merit, no personal
sacrifice above my brother officers and
soldiers OF my Regiment. l claim lust
personal bravery enough to do my duty, |
and patriotism enough to make me will |
ing to do it. IT'S true, We have had long
and tedious marches through mud and
rain. or for days under burning South
srn sun in clouds of smotbering. binding
dust. VIXEN We could not get water enough
to qusnch our burning thirst, have march.
cd days. aye weeks, on half rations, with.
out faltsring or repining. And why?
We had before US the record of what our
forefathsrs had endured to secure to n,
the inestimable boon that we were on.