Evening journal., 1908-05-30
BANNERETTE FOR
WIDOW OF HERO
The Survivors Of Meaehef'S
Brigade Give Token to
Mrs. ThOs. A. Smyth

MrS. mos. A. 1nyH
EXERCISES AT THE GRAVE
There was an interesting ceremony at
the grave Of General Thomas A. smyth In
wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery
shsrtly before noon to-day when the sur
vlvors Of NIeaghers irish Brigade, Of New
york. through George c. Morton com
rrander. Of smyth Post presented to the
widow OF General Smyth a silk banner
cite. An appropriate floral emblem was
also laid on the noted soldiers grave for
tho brigade. The emblem represents a
horse with an empty saddle. The horse
IS four feet eight inches In length and 81
inches IN height. The emblem Is the work
Of w. p. Potter the florist. The figure OF
the horse is formed Of white immorteles,
RitH name and tail Of Pampas plumes the
saddle cloth is formed OF blue immorteles,
while the saddle Is made Of French mag
nolia leaves 1t rests upon a mound OF
natural flowers held in a wire mat.
The exercises at the grave were partici-
pated IN by members Of Smyth Post and
tho Irish-Americaa Club the representa-
lives Of the latter being Patrick Brown,
Patrick AIulrooney. Thomas II. Donahoe
and Cornelius Croedon.
Meagher's Brigade. Of which General
smyth was commander. comprised the
sixty-third sixty-ninth and Eighty-eighth
reriments, the Fourteenth and Fifteenth
a..
eighth Massachusetts, and the one Hun
dred and Sixteenth Pesnsylvania Volun-
teers.
The bannerette is Of green silk and
contains the following inscription;
1905
The Survivors OF
Meagher's Irish Brigade
Unite with their Comrades.
the
General Thomas A. Smyth Post. No. /,
Department Of Delaware. c. A. r,
In token OF remembrance Of their
Departde Commander,
General Thomas A. Smyth.
Rest on. embalmed and sainted dead,
Dear as ten blood you gave
No impious footsteps here shall tread
The heritage Of your grave;
4NoI cHalA NNNi kANlN Ht ANAk0Af
While fame her record keeps,
or honor points the hallowed spot
Where valor proudly sleeps.
Headquarters. 6sth Regiment Armory,
New York City.
The invocation was made by Will
liam Baugh. and the presentation was
made by George c. Morton. Mrs.
Smyth was not present, but the ban
So faA frt haF nv
grandson. Thomas Smyth Crosswell.
In presenting the bannerette TO the
grandson. Commander Morton alluded
10 the decreasing little group OF vet
Grams and the devolving OF the duty Of
upholding the honor OF the country
upon the generation which the boy
represented.
Tt viii now become your duty to
perpetuate the sanctity Of our national
honor created and upheld by those
from whom this banner comes" he
said.
Mr.. MalIoy Accepts Il
John F. Malloy made the speech Of
acceptance in behalf of Mrs. Smyth.
in part he said:
"The pleasant duty is mine 10 re-
ceive on behalf OF Mrs Amanda
Smyth this token Of your affection
ate remembrance Of her husband.
Major General Thomas A. Smyth. who
for forty-three years has rested In
this hallowed ground. II Is hardly nee
essary for me 70 say that Mrs. Smyth
IS profoundly appreoiative OF this ex-
preston OF feeling by his comrades in
arms. A proud and loyal memory Of
the soldier who sleeps here has domi-
mated her life throughout the long
flight Of years and It rejoices her
10 know by this token that the SOL
diere who followed him and shared with
him the hardships of camp and march
and the danger Of battle have also
kept green the memory Of the daunt.
less courage, gallant leadership and
Felf-sacrihcing devotion OF Thomas A
Smyth.
Perhaps II is not inappropriate IN
this place, made sacred by his dust
and on this occasion, testifying as
# does to the lasting hold which his
fame has on the memory and imagi
nation of the men OF his own genera
tion. 10 summarize briefly the career
of this Irish-American soldier Thomas
A Smith was born on Christmas Day
1882 IN the County Of Cork. Ireland
He was not born in a palace, nor did
he spring from those who were greal
ard famous; but he was born Will
tse energy. courage, character and low,
of adventure which entitled him from
the first 10 admission in th> loya
company of the brave and true.
He came TO America after he hat
reached majority. in 1854, settled II
the neighboring city Of Philade;phis
and went to work as a wocd-carver
But his spirit was bold, restless an,
venturesome. We soon 1nd him II
Nicaragua. following William Walker
whose expedition In that Centra
American country made him for tw,
years ruler and master of Nicaragua
Walker drew 10 him in his great ad
venture only young men of reckless
daring. I presume IL was in Mica
ragua that Smyth served his appren
ficeship 10 the soldiers trade. lIl
came to Wilmington in 1858 and her
married the gracious lady. on who's,
behalf receive this banner.
Thomas a. Smyth was a naturN
leader of rcan and during the threl
short years he spent in Wilmingto:
before the outbreak of the war be
tween the States, he had gained sucl
position among the young men D