The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-09-16
AN INCIDENT OF THE FOURTEENTH.

In consequence OF one Of those clips which are
often deplored but never accounted for, Capt.
Smiths fine company, belonging to Dol. e Bor-
lands regiment, was omitted in our report OF the
Fourteenth Of September pageant. They were
present, however, and made fine display, not
withstanding the following occurrence, which
happened to them while before going into line
As they were leaving their headquarters to take
their place in the line, First Lieutenant Selles
peremptorily ordered halt much to the sur
prise OF Capt. Smith. for our friend Selles is q
model soldier. simultaneously appeared on the
scene welcome visitor in charge of q "thing !"
holding enough to furnish forty drops to q
company. Order being restored, Heiles "spoke
piece" thus:
Dear Captain--On behalf of the officers and
men Of yous command, am assigned the pleas
gratulations and friendly reciprooiies, the high
regard and affection which they have for you as
their leader, because Of the sterling qualities of
the gentleman ami the soldier, and for that con-
slant devotion to our State which aided in her
redemption. Her bosom swells with grateful
emotion at the recollection of those deeds which
on the day whose anniversary we celebrate won
for her gallant sons universal admiration. Her
voice cannot sound too high the praises Of the
civilians who uumindful Of personal interests
bristling baycnets and threatening cannon, with
high resolve and unwavering step marched to
her deliverance, and, rs freemen must ever do,
accomplished it, and swept away the vile minions
OF tyranny more calling than any ever thrust
on civilized people.
Proud indeed may she be of those who, un-
masking the false deity that presided over her
destinies and exposed to the indignant gaze and
execraton Of the American people the grim, and
at the same time lndlcrous, face Of heinous usur-
patton. trembling and covering under the tutelar
folds Of Ulysses cloak: proud indeed may she be,
for their valor regained and re-enthroaed on her
fair brow her ancestral diadem, and while we are
here assembled to celebrate the anniversary so
pregnant with memories of the past aud hopes OF
the future, our hearts beating In unison with
those Of all true sons Of Louisiana in paying
tribute to the memory OF our fallen heroes, it is
meet that we should honor also those who, hav-
ing shared their danger, might also have shared
their graves. Your company, therefore, deem it
proper to present you with this sword "ss token
of their regard"
les hiIt 10 not resplendent with the gems OF
Golconda, but in the iustre of its gstening steel
sparkles the memories of day that will be for
ever green in the hearts Of our people. In pre-
senting it to you we feel that no worthier hand
could WELD it, and, should the voice of country
summon us again to arm in her defence, then, to
whatever spot that sword may point. history
again shall record deeds worthy of "Her Own"
Here, in the name Of him whose honored name
we bear, take il.
Capt. Smith, being utterly unable to reply to an
address 80 cultured and elegant could only brief
~ return his thanks. So drawing 1t from it's scab
bard, he said, II tender you q soldiers salute,
and pledge You on its bright blade soldiers
faith"
The aforesaid ''forty drops" were then dis
tributed by the artistic hand Of ssFrank" of the
ct. Charles bar, as . marching ration, and he was
unanimously voted No. /. The company then
took its place in line for the work Of the day.