Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-02-26
From the Neu South
Flag-raising at the 9th Maine
Camp.

| Ass5 Il oloAiAo csO Wiz IVA AA~@eAAAS
Camp.
We had the good fortune to attend OF
Wednesday the flag raising at the camp
OF the 9th Maine Vols; Col, Rust Com.
mandiug. The day was as bright, bcauti.
full and warm as in June, and Of course
peculiarly adapted to outdoor sports and
exercises. The officers, ladies and gentle
men Of Beaufort, received invitations to
be present, and arrived at the Colonel's
tent about eleven, when they formed in a
line and marched to the flagstaff which
was about 100 feet high and beautifully
wreathed with evergreen. Tn, Regimen,
was drawn up in hollow square, the flag
staff, platform and seats for the guests
being in the centre. The platform fol
the speaker was covered with a carpet 0!
the soft grey Southern moss. upon which
lay our national emblem, ready to be
thrown to the breeze.
The order to present arms was exc
cuted, and an earnest prayer made by
Chaplai1 Clemens, of tho l15th Regt
Mrs, General Saxton had been invited to
raise the flag, which she did bravely and
herocally as far as her strength would
permit, when the brave Gen. stepped for.
ward TO give the aid Of his stronger mus
Gle, and our brave stars and stripes were
seen waving loyalty and gracefully iu the
breeze.
A salute Of 50 guns was then fired, the
Band discoursod sweet, patriotic music
and than followed the speeches. Colonel
I. W. Iigginson, Commanding lst s. q
Vols, was first called Oh to the stand
and made short, though eloquent ant
humorous address, rcmarking ut tht
commencement" that though he had new.
er faced the Sth Maine before, he ha(
faced the enemy with them, and II they
would stand by him now as they did then
he had nothing more to ask" referring tt
the campaign in Florida when the twt
Regiments were brothers ia arms lighting
in common cause.
General H. Saxton, Commanding Beau
fort, on stepping on to the stand, wa
greeted with enthusiastic cheers, and de
livered an earnest and patriotic address
He spoke Of the pleasant "reminiscences
he had Of Maine, and referred to tht
time when it had been united in history
with his own State, Mass, but that al
though they wore separated now III tina
respect, they We're Que In devotion to the
Union, to Freedom and our flag, and h
thought it was brave greeting which
Maine sent to South Carolina, when ,he
dag we love waved from the top Of u pin,
tree tall enough to do honor to hor Owl
mighty forests, and he hoped it nigh
wave there far above the puny palmetto
| til from Maine to texas We had one flag
The General was followed by DR.. Bar
rows, Mr. Lewis, Capt. Tayler and 9th
ers, all of whom seemed Inspired by th'
occasion, and delivered eloquent and ap
propriate addresses. The speeches wer
interspcrscd with vocal and instrumental
ulusic Cheers were given for the Presi
ient, for the Vice resident, six for Mira
Saxt9n for raising the flag, and fer tn
dear ones at home and closing chez
comprehenlins ail parties Col. Rus
proposed three cheers for all on our side
It was responded to by eleven hundrot
throats and was followed by an immcns
" tiger"
Tho guests were then invited to lcsv
the feast of reason and flow of soul
FOR moro substantial rcpast which hat
been generously prepared for them. Col
Rust. Gen. and Mrs. Saxton led the way
across the drill ground to beautiful,
decorated impromptu dining room whicl
seemed to have sprung up by magic dur
ing the night. The walls were Of board
entirely covered with moss and wreathcc
with evergreen. while the roof was skill
fully composed Of flags fastened at tn
top, giving beautiful effect to the inter
ior and the table. But how shall W
speak Of the table, the variety and abund
ance Of the good cheer provided ? Word
fail US, and we can only say that the lik
was never before seen in this Department
The table was arranged by Mr.. Kimball
the sutlcr, under the supervision Of Mrs
Capt. Smith and Mrs. Lit. Willes.
After dinner the pleasant announce
ment was made, that there would be al
entertainment of different kind durin;
the afternoon, provided by the soldiers.
! Benches were brought out under som,
grand old oaks. the shade of which W
found very grateful although in the mid
pie OF winter month.
| The first thing on this programme wa
a foot-racc, in which nine mon participat
| ed, for prizes Of 81, 81, and So. The win
ners were Privates Erwin Bradley an
Brown. The Second race was won b.
Sergeant Hall. The purse was made b.
Gen. Saxton. The Third race for S
was won by Sergt Brady. The lIurdl
race was awarded to =. Hill, Co. |, s.
and Fred. Steven. In tho second rae
the first prize was given to a. Weed, an
the other to I. X. Knights. The Blind
fold Hurdle which truly ludicrous, wa
hcroically won by W. IL Morrison an