American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-05-11
BRIsTow STATION, Va
Anril 26. 1864.

MESSRS. EDlIOhs '--icolIiS OiiS i'''D 7''iN
that it is better to be out Of the world
than out of the fashion. We think this
depends on whether the fashion be a good
one or not; and on the motives which lead
men to follow it.
When commander Of any body Of
soldiers has, by his humane and gentleman
.ly, as well as efficient course of conduct
as commander, won the high esteem Of
those soldiers, it is certainly right that
the soldiers should, if they choose, repre-
sent their regards by some token which
shall serve as a memento when this cru
el war is over"
The officers and men Of the Ilth Reg
imont, p, r. V. c., some time ago, raised
by contributions, fve-hundred and nj le
dollars, to be applied to the purchasing of
a sword, and other traps" for our wor-
thy Colonel.
The articles came to hand three days
ago, and the presentation of them took
place last evening at o'clock, in pres
ence of the regiment, drawn up so as to
form three sides of hollow square. The
presentation speech was made by Captain
VIM. II. Timblin, of Co. G, and is as fol-
lows
"CoLoNEL JACKSON 1t was eujoin-
ed on me to present to you, in behalf Of
the officers and men Of your regiment, the
tokens they have procured, to show their
esteem for you as their commander.
You will bear with me while l briefly
review some of the more important events
of the past three years.
When this regiment was organized at
Camp Wright, Pennsylvania, and we had
the privilege of choosing our officers, you
were chosen to fill the position Of Major
Although stranger to a majority of the
men, yet they were willing to trust you as
one of our field officers Afterwards when
vacancy occurred in the Lieutenant Col
onelcy, and We had still the privilege of
electing officers, by unanimous assent of
the men, you were promoted to ill the va
cancy, This proved that you had lost
none of the confidence of the men, but
on the contrary, showed that their regard
for you was deep seated, and abiding
Again, when by reason Of wound re-
ceived in the battle Of South Mountain,
Maryland our gallant and beloved Colo
mel Gallagher, was compelled to quit the
service, and it became your right to at
tain the Colonolcy, although we could not
then have the privilgo of voting for you,
yet not dissenting voice was heard in
the regiment
When it was proposed to purchase these
tokens, the alacrity with which the means
were raised-and could have been doub-
led had it been required, proved again
that you had won the hearts of these men
by yonr course Of conduct towards them
in all our associations. In our weary
marchings, fghtings, and privations, for
the sake, and perpetuation of our Gov
ernment, you have been with us. In the
bloody battles of Gaines Mills, Bull Run
No. 2-2 days, South Mountain, Antie-
tam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg-3 days
and Mine-Run, your example and COM
mand urged us to noble daring. On the
marches through Maryland and Pennsyl-
vania, and thence to Mme-Run, your
sympathy for us in privation won those
feelings of regard which men feel only
towards beloved commander
Would that those whose graves are in
Virginia soil; those who gave up their
lives for sheir country, in Maryland and
Pennsylvania those who died of disease
incurred in the service of their country ;
and those who were manned by wounds,
and disabled by disease, and have been
uiscHdTSeu, Wefc HeIc W tlHitS MAVi uo III
this presentation! But, no, the gallant
ones who sleep beneath the sods cannot be
recalled to earth, and the living are too
far from us to participate in paying this
heartfelt tribute to you.
A bright halo of glory hovers around
the graves of our fallen companions, to
cheer and encourage us in the good work
of contending for the right; and may
the {. God of battles" help us TO fight the
remaining battles of our country success
fully, and when peace shall be restored,
to enjoy it in the pleasant assurance OF
having done our duty. Here, Colonel,
are the tokens of our regards, consisting
l1of sword, sash, belt, and spurs. We do
. not give them on account of their value
in money, but to strengthen the assuran-
ceso of the past, that between you and your
men, the strongest cords Of friendship are
drawn. Accept them, Colonel, and use
them as you think best while in the SER