Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-02-12

The presentation OF a new stand Of colors
to the Fifth Reg't took place saturday morn
rug on the Fair Ground where the regiment
is euoamped, in presence OF a large assembly
of spectators. Gov smith and staff were
present and after reviewing the Regiment,
advanced to the front, and the Governor ad-
dressed Lieut.. Col. Lewis and the Regiment
as follows
C0loreI Le,ris and officers and ioliiers q fAs
Ffth Tsrmoli:
Il is with pleasure thst I greet you thus in be-
half of the State Of Vermont
The services which YOU have so calamity rem
d,reI tu your country in this csni conflict. the
noble manner in which you have maintained the
honor and the fame Of your State, aiding by
your daring bravery and gallant exploits new
and fresh laure.s 20 her name, have justly en-
delred YOU 10 Us all, and entitle Won 70 the
proui and Distinguished position which you
bold among the many brave ard gallant troops
which Vermont has 50 unspariugly furnished to
the cr.it cause Of Freedom and Humanity
Nearly three years ago you LET, Us for the
field a thoustnd strong, unskied IN the art
Of wa4. au unframed but noble band Of cit
izen soldiers You have returned 20 US as
wnr-worn veterans. skilled in the use Of arms.
heroes of many a well fought battle. At freder-
ickshurs. at Antietan, at Savage Station, on
the Peninsula, and on many other well coz
tested field you won for yourselves and for your
noble State imperishable honors; ard your
thinued and wasted ranks tell u in language
not to he mistaken, Of the hardshiIs you have
endured. the bloody conflicts you have so hero
cally met and the glory you have won.
To YOU belongs the proud distinction Of hsv-
ing as a regiment been the first 10 re-enlist in
your country's service for another period OF the
war-The Filth Vermont, the First Veteran
Regiment
Soldiers in the name Of the State Of Yer
mont thank Won for this renewed devotion To
the sacrel cause. II spcals proudly for your
patriotism and your honor. The State with
pride and gratitude accepts the offering which
you have thus laid upon the altar Of your coun-
Try.
Colonel; regret exceedingly the necessity
which calls you and your command to the field
again 50 soon. had confidently hoped that.
after the brief period Of rest which had been as
/ signed yon in which TO visit yotr homes and ths
cherished ones there. you would be permitted to
remain with US at this place, for period Of time
/ sufficient to enable you to recruit the wasted
ranks Of your regiment, that you might 90 from
us once more, fully organized. but still veteran
regiment, a thousand strong have endeavor-
cd but in vain to procure this privilege for you.
Il is, however, the soldiers highest duty to
obey; and can pay yourself AID your command
no higher compliment than to say that believe
/ you obey cheerfully and willingly the orders Of
those in whose service you are.
We wish you a safe return TO the field OF your
4 IL
watchful care of Him who rules the storm, and
who will, in His own time and way, conduct Us
through this terrible ordeal, to a safe and honor
bic peace.
Allow me, Colonel, in the name Of the State,
to present you with this new standard of colors
Your regiment has fought nobly under the old
its pierced and tattered folds VIII witness tt
the bravery and fidelity Of your troops May
this new standard be held sacred by you; with
it l eutrust to your care and keeping the honoi
and fair fame Of the State OF Vermont The pas
history Of your regiment is the surest guaranty
that they are safely entrusted, and will be 81
eredly guarded.
Lieut. Col. Lewis stepping forward receive'
the coloTs,-a handsome blue silk flag, bount
with gold and bearing the U. S arms,-ant
Itlilcu u lOllONc
SIR In behalf Of the officers and men 0
the regiment, thank you for this renewed evi
dence of the interest and care the Executive o
the State has always entertained toward US. a
Representatives of the State in that field Of labo
and of duty in which We have been called upor
10 act. And not only for these beautiful colors
but for the kind words with which they hav
been presented. ......
It Is with feelings Of justihable pride that "
have the honor thus 10 receive at your hand. th
first c0lors presented TO veteran volunteers, a
such from this State. whose honor and fair fam
we thus mutually labor to extend and sustain.
Sir, we feel that whether it be more honora
bic 10 give than 20 receive, in this case, depend
upon how we shall carry and protect this beau
tiful emblem Of our State. -u
Let US hope that our past history may be som
little guaranty for our aAon and conduct in tn
future. We hope that as We should have game
wisdom By experience, We may be able to vi
brighter laurels in the confidence aud esteem
the State and Of all good men l......
We receive these colors with the nore pleasur
rs we are about TO enter anew that arena whe
men see something more than silk and gold
the flag Of their home and country; and the MOI
as that flag which we carried with so mus
pride from the State few short months ago.
nov but ragged remnant. too tatterei al
torn 10 be borne aloft in our hand TO anima
our hearts in the day Of trial, but which Is sti