The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-27
PATRIOTIC REUNIONS IN THE SOUTH.


SPEECH OF GENERAL WADE HAMPTON AT TIE
REUNION OF THE VETERANS IN COLOMBIA
THE BANNER OF THE LEGION ''FURLED FOR
EVER"
At the reunion OF the veterans OF the Hampton
Legion In Columbia. 8. O., the 2lst inst. (anni-
versary OF the battle OF Manassas), General Wade
Hampton, on taking the chair. said:-
AT the nrst call to arms In the late war gallant
band OF patriots, who were destined TO win Tor
themselves an undying fame, did me the honor 70
choose me as their leader. on this day, fourteen
brave soldiers together in bonds that can never
be br oxen on earth. were cemented by the best
Manassas. 1t is not for me to tell you, on this
occasion, OF that heroic and desperate fight
Our gallant and distinguished comrade, who is TO
speak for the Legion tonight, viii doubtless
DO that fully ana well. But this l will say
that long and large experience gained
has convinced me, beyond all doubt that the
Legion had the good fert1ne TO do more on
one time TO be a defeat into glorious victory
than any other command engaged. Far be II from
me to detract from the fame OF any OF the brave
troops VINO shared with us the pers and glories OF
that bloody day. and still more unbecoming wonld
1t be in me- to claim any merr for myself II was
only our good fortune to come on the field at a
proper place at a critical moment OF the battle,
ana your high and stubborn courage 1t was, then,
in response to what | felt was the IN.
mand, led you where the nre was the heaviest
Although the exigencies OF the service demanded.
In the course or the war, separation or the con-
sEituent parts Of the Legion, thus taking por-
tion for time from my immediate command,
watched with the deepest interest the conduct
OF all, ana 1elt always the highest pride In the
noble achievements OF every branch OF tAe COM
Wherever your bayonsts Cleaned. or your sabres
mashed, or your artillery numbered, my heart
ana felt PRIDE ike that father feels at the
noble deeds OF his sons. knowing this you can
readily understand, tried and trusted friends Of
the LEGION that use no idle words when bid
you heartily and cordially welcomed Welcome to
one and all, to each and every arm of the COM
mana. We fought in common cause, and we
fought under common Danner-"the nag OF the
LEGION" You have not forgotten my comrades.
that dear old flag AS you think Of 1t again, does
not Hood OF proud but SAD memories sweep over
your hearts You must remember with tender
emotion that 1t was the gilt Of the noble women Of
our State You recOllect how proudly and de1antly
it was ever borne IN the thickest of the night.
You remember that on Its torn and nallowed folds
are emblazoned most OF the glorious battle names
OF the war; You recollect how many OF our brave
comrades were stricken down as they were bear
beneath it's folds as its pathway through the bat
tie was marked by death. know, feel that you
remember all these things, and thank God that
with them you can remember, TOO, with pride and
eXultation, that In all the varied scenes through
disnonor or OF disloyaty not one stain Of coward
ice or OF cruelty has furnished Its uDblemished
Iolds. Torn by cannon snot and shell, riddled by
ride balls oackensd by the smoke OF battle, IL Is
still, to the eye OF faith, as lustrous as when 1t
was first INJURED In all its pride OF beauty, ana
rich In o glory that defeat can never suy. (Here
General Ham pton uniurled tae Legion flag, wnlch
was met by deafening yelL) Comrades OF the
Legion, 1 bring back to you, as the nttess
Offering to grace our first reunion In
peace, that banner which you so nobly Illus
trated Ia war. Though 1t will never again
"brave the battle and the breeze" yet as long
as one shred 81 It's batte-scarred folds clings to
another 1t will tell you in language more elo-
quent than words, OF the impertshaDle renown
you won for 1t and Tor yourselves. 1t Will speak
constantly to your hearts Of our dead comrades.
and 1t will serve to remind you always that,
when you furled 1t forever, you pledged your
soldiery honor to observe invioate the terms on
WHOM you surrendered 1t will thus stand as O
perpetual symbol OF your plgh ted faith not alone
In the past, but for the future. 1t will be the
strongest guarantee to those wno so often met it
in deadly fight that the men who proved Them
selves true to 1t while It claimed their allegiance
cannot prove false TO the new obligauons they
nave incurred. All brave men who met you in
battle will honor YOU for honoring the flag you
once upheld so oravey, chung to SO devotedly,
and which you now cherish as memorial or your
fallen brethren. And while you cannot expect
them to sympathize with the cause in which 1t
was borne, they will not fail to respect the men
who bore 1t in SO loyal and knightly q fashion.