The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1864-04-23
Flag Presentation to Cogswell's Bat
ferry.

Terry,
The following correspondence conceived
such admirable terms, explains itself.
Capt. WILLIAM CoGswELL: SIR-most it
cot all OF the Regiments, Batteries and
Companies that have left our midst to
serve their country on the battle field,
have received from their neighhors aud
friends some testimonial of affection and
rememb rance
But when you, sir, went forth at your
countrys call, being a part of the SD
Regiment. your immediate command re-
ceived no special token of friendship.
Your friends at home have watched WIZ,
increasing interest and satisfaction your
own career and tina, Of YOUR brave com.
rades, and as you are about to proceed
again, after a short visit homo. to the field
of conflict, aud Of dang.r. and of possible
death, 20 feel that you deserve to bear
with you TO. and we trust through, tna
scenes OF YOUR future history, some me-
nento the viii always remind you that
You pave Lett these behind whose hearts
WI. beat aualh!y at your success, and
ata.id s,Ili should reyerses belal YOU
, We understand that you desire to avod
public display, and therefore, in an an,
ostentatiou8 and quiet manner, we ask
your acceptance, Ell behalf of yourself nd
your brave comrades, O! the flag which
accompanies this note It has been pre-
pared by your friends for this purpose.
Il Is the Flag Of the Union, Of her honor
and Of her glory. We know we commit
it ts true hearts and steady hands AL
though its colors may become faded, and
itself tattered in the conflict to which you
are about again TO proceed, we have no
l...r l.., =, - y. I,
Bear it, sir, to your comrades, and tell
them that loved ones at home hope and
believe that, under it, inspiring folds their
arms will become stronger aud their hearts
steader, aud that success Will ever attend
them and when your own eyes restupoa
it, remember that, under il, washiu: ton
achieved cur independence, jackson
strengthened, ard his posterity must
Derpetuate forever, an unbroken Union
Truly YorH FRIENDS,
To -N!jor T. {. Gibson AMI oilers: GENTLE
MES-lhere is nothing SO soothing, so
cheering or stimulating u the soldier in
his privation and iiering for his beloved
country cause, As to be assured that he
- followed IN every step OF his progress
by the sympathy OF the dear, ieyed ones
at LOa!-. 1t encourages and stimulates in
every bloody aad terrible. conflict through
which he IS called to pass, and more IS
pec.al.y is this SO, when we receive, at the
hands Of cur loved ones Ut home. such a
beautiful Flag Is the one accompanying
?ouT patriotic and sympathetic note, as i
token o! your friendship.
No higher honor can be conferred GU a
soldier, than 10 place IN his hands and TO
his tru-t the stars and stripes, the en-. blem
OF our country ; honor, greatness, and
power, WIKI the patriotic declaration that
you have placed 4, into the hands OF these
who not only hsEor II, but are re. y to
defend It with their lives.
Let me here say. III behalf Of the brave
men under my command as well as my
self, stimulated by your houored gift ana
noble and patriotic sentiments, j; viii slim.
. ulate Us anew IN the great cause Of our
countrys honor.
Allow me, Therefore, in behalf CT the
brave men under my command, 10 thank
/ you kindly for this token Of your friend
/ ship; and after this bloody tragedy shall
have ended, and we again return 10 our
homes, We will present thi. Flag again to
its donors uusullied and uutaraished by
the reputation of It's defenders
Ottawa, April IL, 1865.
Capt. MN CoGswxlL
Commanding Is! L.dpeodanl Battery.