The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-21
A Wartime sword Presentation.

n.
send enclosed a paper when feel
quite sure will be read by many of
the Twenty-sisth Virginia Infantry
and friends. / have recently obtained
possession of the letters and hope you
can find space In your valuable columns
10 inert. All of the parties mentioned
In the letters are dead. except Sergeant
+. II. Wolfe; he IS living In Glouces-
ter. Mrs. Florence Calvin Council
Peiree. of Newport News. daughter
of Lieutenont-C Colonel ]. c. Councill
deceased kindly sent me these letters
at my request so l might have them
published in your columns.
j. y. STURBS.
Camp Twenty-stxth Virginia Reg imcnt.
Wises Brigade. Burtons Farm.
February Is, 1869.
Li6utenant-Colonei j. c. Councill.
Dear sir.-We, the committee On the
part of tho officers and men OF Com
panies 3 and c. Twenty-siXth Virginia
Regiment. being DESTROYS of expressing
To YOU in some tangible and material
mode our high appreciation OF your
qualities az an officer, az we'll as our
regard for you as gentleman, beg
that you will accept as n betting and
enduring testimonial OF our esteem the
accompanying sword.
During the four weeks that We were
under your immediate command IN the
county OF New Kent we had full AMI
ample opportunities OF discerning end
testing in you those qualitien which
adorn the soldier and the gentleman.
Prompt, active and visilant in the dis
charge OF every duty; atrict. but I'm
partial, In discipline: calm and cool
In danger, are some or the traits which
you have shown yourself to possess in
an eminent degree. 1t is these qualities
which have excited our admiration, and
L.
our regard IN rendering this sword.
Accept It, then. as the honest and sin.
cere expression OF tho confidence and
admiration OF your comrads in arms,
We know that in jour hands II will
never be drawn but In the defense OF
right and justice, and never shcathed
In dishonor.
Very respectfully.
Captain u. II. Fitzhugh, Company b
Captain y. b Street, Company c.;
Sergeant T. II. Wolfe. Company e;
Sergeant }. r. ,rhurston. Company G:
Private J. w. Whit Company E:
Private G. +. Fleet, Company c
Camp. 26th Va. Reg't., Wise's brigade.
Rurtons Farm. February l6, 1863.
Captain j. II. Fitzhugh. Company E;
Captain ~ B. street, Company G.:
SerGcnnts a.. II. Wolfe, ]. r. Thurs
ton. and Privatcs J. w White and
@. r. Fleet. Twenty-siXth Virginia
Regiment:
-|Gentlcmen,-l have this day the
honor to acknowledge tho receipt OF
your highly complimentary communi-
cation. accompanying an elegant sword.
presented TO mo through you by thu
officers and men OF Companies B and
c, Twenty-sixth Virginia Regiment.
q detachment which had so recently
the honor to command while doing duty
on tho Lower Peninsula.
11I -,
esteem OF my associates In arms,
whilst exceedingly gratifying to me.
is as unexpected as Il Is. In my esti-
nation, undeserved. have not tho
vanity TO imagine that any merit OF
mine entities mo TO be the recipient of
testimonial SO hand some, and mt
the same time SO significant can
but feel indebted for this distinguish
ing mark OF regard, to the generous
impulse OF an unbounded llberality.
united to the promptings OF warm per-
sonal attachment, which has been
cherished and strengthened by tho as
sociations of nearly two years In the
service OF our country. I accept the
sword gentlemen and beg that YOU
will return my warmest thanks to
your brother officers and men. hy whom
II has been 80 generously tcndt red
with mingled feelings OF pleasure and
pride shall make II my constant COM
pan1on whenever and whatever duty
may call ME. On its trusty steel ]
stake reputation and lIfc In our pres
ent struggle for nationality and indie
pendencc: and come what may, veal
or woe, not dlshonoring stain shall
ever dim the lustro of Its bright ana
spotlcss blade.
Drawn i'll the cause OF Southern lib
erty. I trust II will be stranger to
its scabbard, until every trace of the
unprincip)ed enemy that would so
iniquitously sub!ugatc us Is oblitcratct
forever from our soil.
With many grateful feelings for
the friendly und complimentary terms
OF your note, aud with the highest es-
teen for you and those whom you rep
resent, have the honor to be, very
respectfully.
Your ohcdicnt servant,
j. CALVIN COUNCIL.
Lieutenant Colonel Twenty sixth vir-
rk,.I. o1,,