Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-14
A FLAG PRESENTATION,


Hancock Command, Union Veterans Union,
the Recipient-Some Eloquent Speeches.
The ladies of the Woman's Veteran Relief
Onion, No. 8, of the Union Veteran Union. pre-
scented Hanc ock Command last night with q
handsome silk flag.
business meeting of both organizations took
place before the presentation exercises in the
hall corner of It'll and L streets
Shortly after o'clock the doorkeeper an
nounced the arrival Of the ladies and the COM
mand rose to receive them. Despite the in
clement weather there was a large attendance,
and when Mrs. George Van Fleet, the president
of Union No. 8, stepped forward with the hand
some flag the hail was well filed. She said:
l am called upon this evening by the ladies Of
No. Union land assure you / appreciate the
favor they have conferred) to present 20 YOU
this flag the emblem of the greatest nation on
earth. IL was when rebellion had sprung up to
cut the halyards of our starry banner that our
boys went forth with brave hearts aud buoyant
step TO defend the greatest nation on the globe
and the grandest emblem that ever foated to
the breeze. II Is now twenty-seveu years since
our boys crossed the Long bridge returning
home to peaceful life with their laurels won.
Since then many have crossed the river to IN
unknown LAID, and many are infrm from the
wounds which they received. And now. after
al tneSe wears OF peace, the ladies' wish to
show the comrades Of Hancock Command
that they still appreciate their services rem
dered TO their country in time of need. and
a. there was other way we, the
ladies. deem this the most betting way to show
the defenders Of our freedom how high they
stand In the regard of Wornan's Veteran Relief
Union. NJ. 3, Union Veteran Union. / now
place in your hands for Hancock Command
these stars and stripes. May they ever protect
and guard il well as hey did on those three
memorable days in July. 1863 when the air was
alive with shot and shell at Round Top, Little
Round Top and Cups Hill, and "long may it
wave per the land of the free and the home Of
the brave"
Col H. r.. Burton, commander Of Hancock
Commend. accepted the flag in an eloquent ad-
dress and then he introduced Gen. Yoder. COM
niander in-chief Of the Union Veterans Union.
who in few stirring remarks told how rapidly
the order was extending in every section OF the
country. He referred to a visit made through
New England and the enthusiasm with which
he had been received at various points He
predicted that in five years every old soldier
who was eligible. that is WHO had seen service
at the front where he had heard the zip Of the
minnie bullet and the Shrek Of the she'll would
be found within the ranks Of the Union Vet
Grams Union.
After the singing of Z, q "Red. White and
Blue" by Mr.. John C. o. Redington, Gen
/ Green CLAY Smith was introduced and spoke in
LIS usuisi nappy manner, peyinG nlGn tribute
10 woman III general and TO the ladies who were
auxiliary to Hancock Command in particular
He spoke of the unjust treatment the OK Z niou
soldiers are receiving at the hands Of those in
authority, who should honor and encourage
them. and alluded To the fact that ex-rebels toe
frequeirly receive greater consideration thar
the Union veterans. their widows or orphans
lie closed with an eloquent apostrophe TO thu
/ Tag, which thrilled the audience and elioised en-
thusias;ic and prolonged applause. severa
other happy speeches were made and the occa
sion wac one OF the most interesting in the his
| tory of Hancock Command