The Flag Presentation.
On Wednesday last, the stand of colors, donated to the 29th Regiment, by the Ladies of Ashtabula and Summit counties was presented to the Regiment by Hon. J. P. Giddings, who addressed the officers and men as follows:
Gentlemen, Officers and Soldiers:
Before entering upon the particular duty assigned me on the present occasion, I may be permitted to congratulate you and the county upon completion of your Regiment organization and the perfection of your preparations for the field. I desire you at all times to bear in mind the causes which lead to its formation. The present rebellion has its origin far back in our history. Its first overt acts were put forth in Congress by subjection the people of the free States to gag rules by striking down the right of petition, by arraigning and publicly censuring Representatives for the faithful discharge of duty; by annexing and strengthening the influence of slavery. To these violent encroachments upon the Constitution rights of the free States, this “Western Reserve” has from the first, presented a very general resistance. Indeed, I believe the city of Cleveland is the only place on the Reserve yet, disgraced by the surrender of a fugitive slave.
A portion of the 19th Regiment, O. V. was raised in this county, and other portions from various parts of the Reserve. We were proud of both men and officers. Our hopes and expectations for a time centered upon that Regiment. But we were disappointed, and our pride was humbles. Three officers of that Regiment, the Judge Advocate , Lieut. Colonel, and Quarter Master, voluntarily laid down their manhood and became the blood-hounds of Southern slave catchers. The common soldiers from this county, strenuously resisted the commission of such piracy. We honor their intelligence. They knew their own rights, and respected those of their fellow men. The seizure of an innocent man in a camp of Ohio troops, the placing of the cold iron upon his limbs, and barbarously sending him to the hell of slavery by officers from the State, was a voluntary crime disgraceful to those engaged in it, and deeply affecting the honor of our State, and the military service in which they were engaged.
Impressed with those views, a few gentlemen, residents of Ashtabula county, determined on raising a Regiment, whose men and officers should better understand the Constitution of our country, and their own honor, than to be found in any way assisting in the capture or enslavement of innocent men and women. In this object, Summit, Medina, Lake and Trumbull counties, sympathized; and as we now understand, no man, officer or soldier, of the Regiment before me has any desire to give aid or comfort, to rebels, despots, or pirates, by catching or returning slaves. Indeed, we should feel mortified if the most humble individual of this Regiment were not conscious that no man no officer, nor even the President of the United States, hold the Constitutional right or power, to involve a soldier or officer of our army in the crime of enslaving or murdering our fellow men. And should any petty despot attempt to degrade this Regiment, or any member of it to that piratical work, Let him meet the fate of a despot; but let the officers and men from the Reserve maintain their own honor and the honor of our State.
I mean what I say on this point. The principle that life and liberty are held from the Creator, that they are gifts of God “and constitute the unalienable, the imperscriptible rights of man.” Thar while the individual observes the rights of others, is neither guitly nor charged with crime; no earthly power, no military or civil officer, no Legislative nor Executive functionary, can invade those rights with impunity in this land of freedom. Nor can any body of men acting in a Legislative capacity, pass any valid enactment authorizing the murder or enslavement of an innocent individual however humble he may be. These views have been taught by all German, English and American writers for the last century. They entered into, and constitute essential elements in any government. This is well understood by the common soldiers of this part of the State. And if members of Congress and other civil officers refuse to acknowledge this vital principle on which our government was itself founded, I hope that the first petty tyrant who attempts to disgrace the humblest member of this Regiment by ordering him to capture or return a slave, may fall a victim to that violence which he would exert upon a friendless, helpless, fellow being. I am an old man. I have served my country as a common soldier. I have also rendered some humble service in our Legislative halls, and now when no longer able to do either, let me say this is emphatically a war for principle, a war against the enslavers of mankind by whatever name they may be called. It is a war in which honorable and patriotic men may gracefully lay down their lives in behalf of our common community.
Stimulated by these feelings, the Ladies of our county have prepared a splendid national and Regimental stand of colors, and have imposed on me the pleasing duty of presenting them to the Regiment. In all past ages, civilized nations have gone forth to war under their own banner, on which was inscribed some device, figure, or emblem peculiar to some nation. Thus each tribe among the Israelites had there particular banner. The early Christians fought under the Cross, the Romans under the Golden Eagle, the Mohommedans under the Crescent. The founders of our government selected for their colors, a ground-work of blue, representing imfnutable justice and unlimited power, on which the stars representing light, are twinkling in the vaulted heavens, while in mid ether, the bird of Jove is floating, a fitting representation of the ease and power with which liberty and civilization is gliding over the earth; which the stars and stripes of red and white represent the vital principles, and purity of our institutions.
(Addressing Col. Buckley,) To you, Sir, as commanding, I present these beautiful standards for the use and benefit of the Regiment. On behalf of the donors, I confide these national and regimental standards to the care of yourself, your gallant officers, and men. Wherever you go, let them be borne aloft and respected, as the emblem of universal freedom to all who seek your protection. Preserve them unstained except by the blood of your enemies. Bear in mind that you go forth to fight the battles of the human race for all coming time. and sho’d the roar of cannon, the rattling of muskets, the clashing of sabers, the din and smoke of battle surround you, remember the cause in which you are engaged and be assured, that if you fall, we who are left, will care for your widows and children. Your own heroic deeds shall be enshrined in our memories, recorded in our history, admired by coming generations, and approved by a holy and just God.
To which Col. Buckley replied:
Respected Sir:— I receive this stand of colors in behalf of the 29th Regiment. I return through you to the noble and patriotic Ladies of Ashtabula and Summit Counties, their grateful thanks; and, whenever and wherever it is unfurled to the breeze, and we look upon its Stars and Stripes, may we then remember the generous donors and the vow we this day make. This Flag, the flag of our country, which has been our pride and our boast, and which is respected by all civilized nations;—this flag, thank God, shall yet wave triumphantly, wherever it has been struck down by the ruthless arm of the traitors. And, companions, whenever we look upon this beautiful flag, may it inspire us to redouble our energies to do our duty to our beloved country, and God in his providence permits us to return to home and kindred may this flag come back with us to bear witness that the 29th Regiment O. V. was in the thickest of the fight.
Sir, you have spoken in high commendation of my Command, I can assure you I feel myself honored in having command of such a Regiment. It will be my pride and ambition with my fellow officers to make it in all things pertaining to a well drilled and well disciplined Regiment, one of the best in Ohio. And now, fellow soldiers, in the presence of this assembly, and before high heaven we swear upon the alter of Our Country to defend this flag so long as there shall be one true heart and strong arm to hold it to the breeze.
The following verses, suggested by the occasion, were presented by a friend, and we insert them here as an appropriate part of the ceremonies.
- Soldiers take the sacred symbol,
- Of our nation’s power and life,
- Bravely, proudly, safely bear it—
- Through the fraterekial strife.
- Mothers, sisters, lovers wrought it,
- And entrust it to our care.
- To combine with love of country,
- Thoughts of home and loved ones.
- Wheresoever duty calls you
- Let the banner cheer your sight,
- Fire your souls with holy ardor,
- Serve to keep your honor bright,
- And if ever in your presence
- Rebel ensign float in air,
- Haste, and strike that trait’rous emblem,
- Haste, and plant this standard there.
- If in battle’s wild commotion,
- Meeting foes in deadliest strife,
- To protect this sacred Banner
- You are called to yield life—
- Raise your dying eyes toward it,
- Gazing, breathe a warrier’s prayer,
- For your souls, and friends, and country,
- For this standard floating there.
- And that glance shall be electric,
- We shall quickly feel it here,
- And in spirits hovering o’er thee,
- Whisper tenderst soothing cheer;
- Spirits thus will answer spirit,
- Death be robb’d of all its pain,
- And the soul feel sweet assurance,
- Loved ones soon shall meet again,
- And when peace shall be restored,
- And your work is bravely done,
- Bringing back this glorious standard
- You shall seek your friends and home,
- Then an honored glad reunion,
- This dear banner shall float o’er,
- And our hearts and arms embrace you,
- Meeting them to part no more.
Of these colors we have only to remark that they were altogether splendid, as to the device and general workmanship. In getting them up, Mr. Geo. W. Crowell, of Cleveland, the manufacturer, has done himself great credit.
This article was published in the “Ashtabula Sentinel”
Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio 4 Dec 1861
Page 1 Column 3, 4 & 5
The newspaper is on microfilm at the Ashtabula Public Library.
This is part of a series on the Civil War in Ashtabula County as was reported in the Ashtabula Sentinel.
