The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-04-23
Sword Presentation.

The celebration Of the 22d of Febru-
any last, 10y the people Of Bedford coun-
", at Shelbyyille, was made the occa~
sion Of the presentation Of a splendid
sword to MAJ Gen. Milroy. VIM. II.
Wisener, Esq. Oh behalf of the people,
rendered the gift, addressing the GEN
eral a. follows:
MAJOR CENTRAL minor Sir-In be-
half Of the loyal people of Shclbyville
and Bedford county, and as the repre-
sentative of this large assrmblage Of
ladies and gentlemen, 1t Is my pleasant
duty TO present 10 You memento OF
their regard FOR you IS q citizen, sol
der and patriot When this rebellion
broke out YOU were among the first 10
volunteer in defence Of the country
against domestic enemies. IN its mighty
STRUGGLE for life, as YOU had been. in
former times, in war for national
rights, with = foreign foe This, sir Is
no ordinary struggle il IA, perhaps,
the most gigantic cyil war the world
has ever witnessed, exceeding, by far
IN number engaged and the mighty
preparations OF the contendinc hosts,t the
fierce and bitter centets of apcint
times for empire handed down 10 Us
which, indeed have had until passing
events have dispelled the illusion,
more the appearance of fiction and sto-
~, than fact and history Even the
wars Of the French revolution. which
ragged iof The mastery OF the world and
universal empire FOR quarter Of a cen
fury, headed 10y the greatest military
genius that ever loated on the tide of
time, were not lis equal in magnitude
of pep r1on ant energy in
its execution and moye,neps
In this mighty combat You
have acted a conspicuous part. BY
your gailantTy IN the field, YOU have
won the admiration Of this vast assem-
hlage of your fellow citizens. 10 whom.
when THE WAS commenced. Won were a
stranger Only few months ago Won
came among us, personally unknown
to most OF your cOuntyymtn. now pres
~nt. out IN That time You have won i'm
pen ishsoie renown, In the strucgle
around MurICesboro IN Der.p,Gsr
last wheT" many who are i,iuinp i'm
tins ovation witnessed your gsIlsutry
In the midst of danger there ',ysya ,.o,,
10 be found, leading your bravo troors
To glory and TO victory. But this peo-
pie respect you for other qualities than
those to which ] have referred You
have endeared yourself TO them INV
your prudence and Judgment In vonr
management Of the civil affairs of tbe |
Government, so far as they bav. f,rI.7, /
within your jurisdiction and ,.orz., a. |
military commander amoug a r.I,sl /
sious and rovolted people. on theecsb. !
hard OF this hne instrument Won viii /
lind inscribed, Presented to Mo-, 4
General MilrOy by the Union citizens oc |
Bedford county. This Is the free Of. I
iering Of perhaps, the only really la,-sl |
community in Middle Tennessee, /
solitary oasis in the desert of rebellion /
and secession. You will also find ip~ /
scribod on this same scsbbard the ..4fb /
and ,th OF December 1864" These I
days are memorable ones. ON these 4
days, st the head Of your gallant com
mand, You met the rebel hosts and van
pushed them, capturing and bringing
IN as trophies Of victory several hmm
bred prisoners and two guns. Many of
our citizens saw this and reneuber n
with pride and pleasure. ON the bls5e
itself Is inscribed, "BE JUST AVN
+ EAk NOT This WAS put on il low
those who prepared it, because il was
IN accordance with your past life. That
you W'l be just they have the ousr.
an antee OF a life devoted TO r,rinS.nIo
Iha' an the execution of dauaor,,,s
t Sii'erPTlaes you vii! fear not" ~
uaSe me assurance Of a long. isi,br;I
sua s'l.lanl service in the tept.5 FslI
, uot only m tins great struggle nf ~
Government for national eyis,.,' '.''
nov nov GONG On against ATS own rebel;in,,l
Sis-ehs, out an war in DAYS ron r''D ~,
with a foreign Zoe. e'"e 10y
on nave como among us. from O,o
sweet endearments Of home a. -. '..o
tain the national authority owe, -
voting people, and enforce obedig,,.,
10 the laws and constitution. A rloTi-
Gus and patriotic cause In which Won
have acted well your part May your 1
future be as prosperous and happy as
your past has been patriotic and bril- |
liant