The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-09-11
ABBEVILLE MINUTE MEN.
THE FIRST COMPANY TO GO TO THE WAR
FROM ABBEvILLE.

THE FIRST COMPANY TO GO TO THE WAR
FROM ABBEvILLE.
Taking the Train..Tenrs and
Prayers.
in the Fall OF 1860, even before the State
had passed the Ordinance of Secession. Com
panies of Minute Men had been organized in
various portions of the County. The Com
pany AT Abbevile had rendered Its services,
which had been accepted. The following &C.
count OF the flag presentation is taken from
an old copy of the AUbeville Press OF date,
January IL, lSG0. The presentation took place
several days before the date of the paper.
Banner Presentation.
The presen tation of a beautiful banner. by
the ladies Of A6beville to the Minute Men.
on Monday last, which took place IN front OF
the residence OF h. A. Fair, ESQ.,, was truly
an Interesting occasion, and will long be re-
membered by all who witnessed 1t. The
presence and sympathy Of woman, at all
times the noblest Incentive 10 action, was
now doubly inspiring, as presenting an offer
ing TO volunteer soldiers, who were on the
eve OF marching. to emperil their all In the
defense of Southern rights and liberties.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FLAG.
The following is q description of the flag
The flag is of blue silk, trimmed with gold
fringe, and bears the following inscription
On one side, 1.-THE Fair ~ to the Brave" with
a Lone Star in the center; on the reverse {,
Palmetto Tree, with a rattle snake coiled
around the trunk. and the words "Noth me
Iunycrt::' and also the dates "l11G' and
"lSGO'
THE Observation-Disclosures SALLIE MARTINS
SPEECH.
The flag was presented on behalf of the Ia
dies by Miss Sallie Martin in a manner high
ly creditable to herself and those she repre-
sented in the following appropriate address.
Captain Perrin: In behalf of the ladies Of
this District, permit me TO present to the
Company of Minute Men which you have the
honor to command. this flag.
Receive 1t as Il testi monial Of the devotion
of woman's heart to the cause which you are are
so nobly eSpousng-as evidence of the fact
that in your trumphS we will rejoice, or In
your fall weep in anguish DER your bloody
graves.
We feel that our flag is committed to strong
arms and brave heartS-that It's honor Is safe
that its folds will never be allowed inglorl'
ously TO fan the dust.
Soon may II proudly float within the bor-
ders of the Southern Coniederacy.
RESPONSE OF CAPTAIN PERRIN.
Fair Lady: In the days of chivalry the
brave knight was encouraged 10 do deeds ol
daring by the smile Of his lady love. For
her honor he entered the lists and commended
safety he imperiied his life on the battle
field. In time of peace, ip noble strains he
sang of her beauty and her virtue,
The days of chlvalry have passed, and the
voice of the troubadour is hushed In silence
but 1t Is still, true Lady, that the highest al m
OF the soldier is by deeds of valor, to win the
approving smiles OF the fair For this he en-
counters the dangers OF the campaign-the
IA, l. 4, hi l01A l.
and nerves his arm in the deadly conflict.
Lady, 1t has not been my fortune TO lead
these brave comrades into battle. and you
might regard it as an idle boast If were TO
recount In advance our deeds OF valor. With
hearts OF gratitude and pride we receive from
your fair hands this beautiful banner. 1t
bears upon its azure field the emblem which
we all love. The Palmetto reminds us OF our
allegiance 10 our commonwealth. The lone
star reminds US Of her heroic position-stand-
Ing, as she does, alone, amongst her sisters,
in the vindication OF her rights, with the
strong government which she has left threat
ening to crush her.
The dates which see upon the coat OF arms
recalls the most lively emotions. l776 Is as
dear 10 us as II ever was; 1t recalls our glo.
rious deliverance from British bondage. 1850
recalls a more glorious deliverance from the
tyranny of fanatical majority. The first
recalls the deeds OF our Slres-the last proves
that we have not forgot the lesson which
they taught us.
How soon this beautiful banner is TO be un-
fured upon the field OF battle and blood none
can tell. When the time comes we hope, La
dy, to win the title which you have given US,
1.-The Brave" Be assured this flag shall be
borne by hands and sustained by hearts that
ehall never forfeit your good opinion. Wnen
our country Is to be defended, and honored
then shall it wave-and never shall 1t traill
in the dust until the arms OF my command
are nerveess, and IL becomes the winding
sheet Of the last survivor.
Lady, IN behalf Of my com mand, tender
10 your fair self and the ladies' OF Abbeville,
whom you represent, my grateful thanks for
this manifestation of sympathy and kind
ness.
Sergeant Lesley: This flag has been re-
ceived from the hands OF the fairest of the
fair. In entrusting it to your keeping l feel
that it Is safe, and that you will faithfully re-
deem the pledges which have made on be.
half OF my command. Yon are expected TO
guard It's honor as your own-to bear it in the
csnter of your company, in the thickest OF
the fight-and whether on the battle field or
Off of 1t. you will ever remember that 1t is
the gift OF the "fair TO the brave"
RESPONSE OF SERGEANT LEsLY.
Ladies': When the tug of war shall come,
aug "Greek meets Creek" then the beautiful
banner that you this day SO kindly presented
10 US will be thrown to the breeze. Wen
look to IL and, and remember that the ladies
OF Abbeville will expect us TO defend II and
them-and we'll do IT,