Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-27
A HANDSOME SWORD
TO LIEUT.. CHARNoCK.
Presentation Was Made mt Close of
the Brigade Parnde-A Diamond
Ring For Col. uutson.

the brigade Fnrndc-A Diamond
Ring For Col. Hutson.
At the close of the brigade parade
and review one of the most pleasant
incidents of the Encampment occurred.
All the officers assembled in front of
the brigade. and a private advanced
and placed a sabre in the hands of
Major W. G. Peterson. brigade judge
advocate.
Lieut.. John II. Charnock was called
forward. Major Peterkin. who is a son
of the RI. Rev. Geo. w. Peterkin. of
Parkersburg. dismounted and made a
splendid presentation speech.
He began by complimenting Lieut..
Charnock for his zeal in the service of
the National Guard and his fidelity to
duty. There seems to be an impress
sion abroad" he said that the ma
tional Guard is toy, mere plaything.
We, as members of the Guard know
this to be erroneous and feel 1t to be
our duty to correct the impression. We
know that there are grave RESPONSE
| bilities in connection with 1t, and at
| the same time there are privileges
which are in some degree commensur-
ate with the responsibilities.
The officers of the Guard feel that
in you they have an officer who knows
his rights and duties, and knowing.
dares maintain them. 1t is not our
purpose to shirk duty. There is grave
responsibility in dealing with such cir
cumstanees as those of last Sunday.
! The Brigade Commander and the Com
mander-in-C hope and believe that
the lesson of this incident will not be
! lost. There are those who, through
| ignorance, fail to understand or ap-
| preciate the gravity of such offenses.
Now, may be permitted TO express
the hope that in the performance of
your duties in the future, you will dis
play the same zeal as you have in the
Guard, and that you will keep before
you that high ideal of character which
should be shown by all. Now, sir, it
affords me pleasure, on behalf of. the
officers of the National Guard, to pre-
sent to you this sabre, and in doing
SO to express the hope that you will
carry it in such manner as to reflect
credit upon yourself and upon the State
whose commission you have the honor
to bear"
when MAJOR Peterkin concluded. Lieut..
Charnock was visibly affected. ON
GERS of the Guard and friends" he
said, st would be impossible for me
to express the feelings with which |
accept this gift, but | will endeavor to
wear it in such a manner as to bring
no disohnor upon myself or the Ma
tional Guard"
The battalion to which Lieut.. Char
mock is attached gave three lusty
cheers as he rode back to his place in
the line, and there was general ap-
plause among the spectators.
1t will be remembered that Lieut..
Charnock's sabre was broken by Civil
ian Charles Higgins last Sunday. The
brigade officers immediately raised a
collection amounting 10 800 to pur-
chase new sabre for him. On the
blade is the inscription: Presented
by the officers of the National Guard
of West Virginia to First Lieut. John
H. Charnock."
1t was expected that another presen-
tation would take place last evening,
but it was deferred until this morning.
The officer who is to be honored is
Col A. S. Hutson, adjutant general,
one of the most efficient and popular
soldiers in the entire brigade. The
officers raised a collection amounting
to $3.50, and purchased through Tiff
any's, New York, a handsome diamond
ring. 1t arrived yesterday.