The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1865-03-25
CAA1LA01ON. March 8. 1855.
HONOR 10 WHOM HONOR IL MR.

tended along the entire front Of the citadel.
another long line Of new recruits. freak
from the plantations, formed the second
side Of the hollow square; while multi
tude of men, women and young children
completed il. Behind, floating from ia
turYets OF the castle-like citadel was thA
Flag of the Free
At three o. clock Brigadier General Little
field; accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel
Bennett, entered the hollow square and
advanced toward the centre, where thir-
teen colored ladies, tastefully dressed Zone.
of them holding the large dag and two
other smaller ones), wero waiting to receive
him. AZ the tall and handsome officer
walked into the square, the recollections
which the whole scene aroused brought
tears Of joy to many eyes, and the speech
that he made on presenting the dag gave
birth to the moet exul,ant feeling. Who.
four years ago, would have prOphesied that
y Federal General, in actual service, would
have either dared or desired to receive .
flag from col0red women. in order 70 pre-
sent it to q black regiment, and. in The
heart Of Charleston, have ventuIed TO e.
press sentiments so eulogistic. SO uncom.
promising. 20 true az those which General
Littlefieid uttered in front of the citadel?
He said:
GENERAL LITTLEFIELDs sPRecH.
SOLDIERS or THE 2lsr UNITED STATES
ColORKU TROOPS Your mothers and sis.
ters have commissioned me to present to
you this ensign Of the Republic. When
your old masters first sought to teer il
you the right to rally in its defense. You
were thrust from our lines, back to bond.
age, tohold up the hands Of traitors. Your
sympathy was feared as an omen ofall that
might in some mysterious way bring defeat
to our army, and intensity the struggle for
nationality. -Four nillions Of loyal hears
praying for the triumph Of liberty were Is
dust in the balance in which our country
trembled. But the prejudice Of centuries
went down in the shock Of battle, and
President Lincoln cut the Gordian knot,
proclaining liberty 20 you and thereby
giving hope to the nation. It 10 sacrel
privilege to commit this flag to you. Your
record is pure. No loyal man has been
butchered ~ your race. No betrayed
Government trust stains your hands. No
long course Of ineidious treason blackens
your souls. Had you been educated BY
the Government you would have perpetra-
ted the villainy ofyour oppressors. Faithful
among the faithless found. take this flag,
glorious ever, sublime'y glorious now
the emblem Of freedom TO all. The best
blood of the past has flowed in ito defense,
the best blood Of the present leaps proudly
beneath its folds to-day carry It where
duty calls, in the clash Of arms or the roar
of battle, and plant it triumpbantly over
'the last ditch" Emulate the heroic deeds
Of Fort Wagner, Port Hudson, Olustee,
and Nashville, where your people vindica-
ted their claims to citizenship, and in
scribed their names among earth's most
valian, sons. History shall preserve your
great deeds, and posterity accord the glory
which your valor won. In the future
see this whole country peaceful, prosperous
and happy teeming with the schools where
every child ie educated, and churches
where all are blest. see mighty nation
emerging from this fiery trial, purified ard
strengthened powerful and just, bearing
ing to His will the destinies Of nations. -
Herein this very spot was treason born.
A traitors arm struck that flag from yon.
der stan, and then rebound your chains.
Now how different. You were the first to
enter this city and re.establieh its author
ity, and in commemoration Of this event il
is my pleasure to present, and yours to re-
ceive, this sacred banner.
Lieutenant Colonel Bennett made brief
and appropriate reply, but was not able
to report his remarks. Il was quiet, sol-
dierly acknowledgment. !
THE STANDARD AND STANDARD BRAHER.
This flag was subscribed for entirely b
the freed woman Of the Department, AND
the regiment IL almost wholly 1Omposed Of
Charleston blacks. The lady tho held The
large flag il understood TO 6e . grand.
daughter of one of the greatsst soldier.
that America ever produced; - General
whose brilliant military record lof which
every history Of our country makes honor.
able mention) has been ftly closed. and
made doubly dear to ID By his answer
wing fidelity to the Union. OF Southern
birth and Southern social habits, IN hjsea5-
" manhood he had daughter born il
Charleston, and the child of this lady, her
self Q woman grown, was selected 70 bethA
standard bearer on THE occasion.
/ INTHusIAsM OF THE TROOPS.
After the presentation the regiment was
drilled, and performed every exercise ad-
mirably: Subsequently the recruits vsTs
.thusiasm 81 . brief and stirring;spssch
from the General. They then I'll 1assned
to HE headquarters, whore they agnin
called fox . speech, and were even 0oeo a.
ultant than 6efore.
81. 4 TOKEN OF JOY.
Tho ladies who had represented the ol9
Thirteen states at the parade pFseense0
General Littlefield with handsoOe bou-
quiet Of 0owors, that are already IN bloom
here. Their spokeswoman said:
0EN1RAI.: Allow me 70 present you, il
the namo Of the loyal women Of Chefles'
tUus WQOm your UOoI0 NOft0etu 1L3y 1SNo
made free, this small token Of The Joy tnsI
10 blooming in all our hearts to-day. Oar
fathers, sons and brothers give yOu tnea'
stout arms and their lives. We bring %
you our prayers and eur hearts foil o.
thanksgivinG. God bless you oil Sorsver
and ever.
. At lhs same time they gave the 0snsrI
. white sWan fan, % glib . ths Pfestoe"
Of the United States.
General Littlefeld WAS proud ofhis day.
work, aud has good cause to b.
Brigham Young's last message oonen
tulates the '3aints" on - season Of peo@
and property" He wants TO get iusou.
Union and thinks they ought 20 b admiF
ted now that Nevada, with less popois
ton, has been received. He recommees
that the laws Of Utah be enforced in.D D.
ret. ~ . preliminary etep 70 admission %
the Union. He speaks hopefully OF toen
progress In mining and manufactursss aao
sssys their succsss in growing cotton, nc
only an experiment as yet, has bssn aIi ns
flattering. The Indian troubles have ~
to the adoption Of . new route from soe
coast. via tho Colofado river. A wereh0use
AY>yA