The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-10-30
VANCE GUARDS.


was given to the company by the citizens
of Red Land-a large number of the men
enlisting from that place and the surround
ing country. The editor of the Banner,
who had enlisted in the Guards, was pres
ent and participated in the meeting. I'll
was an occasion never to be forgotten.
Fond and venerable fathers and mothers
(some of them gray haired) and devoted
sisters and other relatives and friends, were
assembled there to bid farewell to the gall
liant men soon to leave their happy homes,
some never to return again. DR.. j. O.
Lewis, Principal Of Red Land Male and
Female Seminary, in few well-timed re-
marks, called the meeting to order. The
Rev. Mr.. Leggett delivered an address to
the volunteers and their friends, which was
responded to by Mr.. Christopher c. Braden,
in behalf ofthe company, who concluded his
able address with the hope "that when we
next meet it will be to celebrate the triumph
of Southern arms over fallen despotism."
What magnificent country was the Red
Land settlement in 1851! Peopled by
patriotic home builders-men of stirling
manhood and women of noble character
and admirable domestic habits-they were
happy, Industrious and prosperous COM
munity, ever ready to lend helping hand
to neighbor or country. Good men and
citizens were the Swindles, Edens, Aliens,
CARROTS, Wyches, Boggs', Cavetts, Her.
rons. Campbells, Wingets, SCOTS, Spurlins,
Shavers, Lynns. Franks Martins, Casons,
Cochrans, Crawfords, Matlocks, Walkers,
Covingtons, Madings, Holloways, Davis,
Wallaces, McDonalds, Mattisons, WAL
drops, Windsors, Farringtons, Owens,
O'Daniels (east of Bodcau) and others,
whose names we regret we cannot recall
at this writing.
A barbecue was given. the Guards, at
Bellevue, the day before their departure,
on which occasion Miss Lizzie Dickson
presented the company with q flag, and on
Wednesday, September. 25th-the day of
their Experimentation barbecue was
given on the Bellevue and Minden road,
between the residences of Messrs. John W.
Hudson and Charles P. Thompson. The
Rev. Baxter Clegg, pastor of the Methodist
Church at Bellevue, delivered few friendly
words of admonition, and offered prayer
for their safety, which was briefly respond
ed to by Capt. Turner.
Referring to the patriotic address Of Miss
Lizzie Dickson in presenting the flag to
the Guards, the Banner said in part
when the indomitable Capt. Turner, in
one of his happiest efforts, received the
bright colors from the fair hands Of the
donor-who, with great credit to herself
and those whom she represented, presented
this beautiful offering of appreciation of
the gallant men who are to serve under it,
the spectacle presented scence almost
equal to a Court of Mars
Following is the address in full:
Louisianians, Patriots and Soldiers: It
is my pleasant duty, as the representative
of the ladies of our parish, to present
you on the eve of your departure, this
emblem as manifestation of our regard
feeling inwardly conscious that it will be
bourne whore duty calls-to trail the dust
only when there shall be none left to de-
fend, or effect its rescue from the conquer
ing foe.
Your cause is esteemed by all as just
and holy one. You are challenged to the
contest. You buckle on your armor, not
for the purpose of conquest, or acquiring
military fame, but to defend your homes,
your firesides and your affairs from North
ern aggression, and by the sacrifice of
your precious lives-if need be-maintain
Southern Rights, Southern Independence,
Southern Freedom and Southern Liberty.
Soldiers! we, the women OF the South,
encourage you to go forth with manly
hearts to battle for our rights-to tear down
and trample under foot the blood stained
banners OF the Northern vandals, and with
one fell swoop rid the earth of the hated
invaders of our soil, who seek, with das-
tardly feet, to desecrate the home and
grave of our ever immortal Washington.
Yes, strike for Us and your bleeding coun-
try, History and the gratitude-blessi
and prayers of an outraged and down
trodden people-will reward you!
Officers and soldiers of the Vance Guards.
you have every incentive to action! Bear
ing the name of one of our most patriotic
and loyal citizens; animated by the just
ness of your cause; cheered by the pray
ers and kind wishes of your mothers and
sisters, can you fail? No! Never! neverl! !
never!!! This fag-the insignia OF our
beloved Confederacy-we intrust to your
care, most gallant patriots, charging you
to be firm and unyielding in its defense.
But should you be overpowered by the
multiplicity of numbers, and liberty be
driven from our land, take this flag Of our
country, and with brave arm and patriot
ic heart, plant it upon some eminence, so
as to indicate to the stranger, who may
come in afterdays, the spot where the God
dess of Liberty fingered last and wept,
before she took her flight from people
once prosperous and happy.
Advance, noble Captain, and receive this
flag-the patriotic gift OF the daughters Of
Bossier-and as often as its graceful folds
are unfurled to the breeze, remember that
the prayers of the donors will ever ascend