Norwich bulletin., 1917-10-12
OLD THIRD PRESENTED
 FLAG 49 YEARS AGO.
Col. Charles w. Gale Then Adjutant
 of Company C.

Col. Charles w. Gale hen AdJutant of Company c.
 In connection with the presentation of a flag to DC made next Sunday by the citizens of New London to the guard. not a few Norwich people re- call a similar presentation by the citizens of New. London to the old Third regiment, C. N. G., 49 years ago last month; It was on Sept. g. 1888, at Camp Perkins, New London. were reviewed by the governor, and pre- scented handsome flag by the citizens of New London.
 Regarding this important event in the history of the Third regiment, The Bulletin of Sept. 10, 1888, says:
 At half past two this afternoon tne regiment fell in for review. There
 were crowds in the company streets, on the drill grounds and fndetd all over the encampment. On one side there were long lines of carriages, all filled with visitors from the city. There were many also in the tents. friends After regimenta1 line was formed po- sition was taken on the north of the field and salute was fired. The gov einor, accompanied by his staff, soon after Apde on to the field and reviewed the regiment. Everything passed off satisfactorily ana the governor ex- pressed himself highly pleased with the drill of the regiment. Before dress officers of the regiment to the gover- nor and staff and to the mayor and common council of New London.
 When dress parade came on the Each trip the Sunbeam brought down load. After the parade had been formed carriage with T. M. Waller and ladies from New London drove out to the right of the colonel. The flag which had been procured for the regi- nlent by the citizens of New London was then presented by MT. Waller, who spoke as follows:
 Citizen Soldiers of the National Guard:
 By this scene of beauty-this land scape and open view-the tented field on which we stand-and these bright uniforms and Eristlins arms around mel am of scene reminded of which we read in the days of ancient chivaI- was the hope of knighthood and her gift was worn as the badge of courage and of honor. The rank of knighthood is of the past but the spirit of chiva!ry is immortal.
 Knights never met than in fairer land than this-under brighter skies than ours: never on them beamed the smiles of truer women than those about me. and for whom I speak-nor was ever filter gift to brave knight made than this, for the women of our city, I now make to you. It is the flag around which the smoke and din of battle-in the clash and c1ang of arms-many of you have often rallied; it is the flag in whose defense the gallant Perkins like a hero fought and like a hero fell. It is the flag of our country-the e5nblr11 of the free. By thoughtful action citizens in peace and by brave deeds as soldiers in war, ever preserve and defend 1t.
 None but brave men can respect as you have the memory of the brave. The youthful soldier in honor of whose you have named this camp did, by his brilliant deeds. add luster to the historic name of Perkins. Tn our city's band of martyred heroes he was as brave as any, though youngest Of them all Vixen I speak with pride of him, I think Of all his brave com panions. and Tn honoring him you have done honor to them all.
 Colonel: For soldierly appearance and behaviOr-fOr vetcran-like diSci- pline and drill-accept for your gallant regiment the compliments of our la dies and with their compliments accept this flag, Ier's best style and the crowd listened with almost breathless attention. Col onel McCord responded. returning thanks in behalf of the regiment. He said that the regiment would look upon the flag with pleasure and pride, and that it would guard it and preserve 1t as a memento. for which the donors would always be gratefully remember ed. The color guard was marched up to receive the flag and the band gave l the Star Spangied Banner. Adjutant 1 Gale then read the following:
 Norwich, Sept. 8, 1868. James J. McCord. Colonel Third Regi-
 ment, C. N. G.: Dear Sir | Allow me through you to present. to | the regiment a pair of markers colors | as a recognition on my part of the honor paid to the memory of my son. Tn naming your encampment after him one year ago. l assure you, that I 1 highly appreciate that expression of 1 regard for one dear to me, coming as ion stands so high for it's admirable discipline and soldierly department.
 The state of Connecticut may well be proud of her present ciSzen soldiers, md we should never regret the ex- ,endi.ure that we have incurred in ng of our existing regiments.
 The sons of Connecticut, whenever .alled upon to rally around the flag l if the republic, have lever bravely the honor of the state, and von for themselves undying fame by heir heroic intrepedity.
 During the recent bloody struggle or the preservation of the government soldiers bravely shed their lood and offered up their lives on lmost every battlefield. and the flag f our little state waved proudly in he van of our army. Trusting that l may have the pleas 1 re of\Visiting the regiment at it's rent encampment. I remain,
 Cordially yours, lt
 JOHN T. WATT. The reading of the letter was fol- { no la II. .l-I x1- N