Greensborough Patriot
Sep. 4, 1862
Page 3
Presentation of a Sword to Col. Vance
Near
Petersburg, Va.
26th
N. C. T., Aug. 11, 1862
At
a meeting of the officers of the 26th Reg’t.
N. C. Troops, Serg’t. Major L. L. Polk explained the
object to be to make arrangements for a complimentary farewell to our Colonel,
Z. B. Vance, Governor elect of North Carolina.
Capt.
J. C. McLaughlin was called to the chair, and Ass’t Surg. W. W. Gaither requested to act as Secretary.
On
motion it was unanimously resolved that we present Col. Vance with a sword, as
a testimonial of our affectionate esteem.
On
motion of Capt. Jones, the chairman appointed Captains Horton, Lane and Steel a
committee of arrangements.
Also
Captains McIver and Jones, and Dr. Galler a committee
on resolutions, and a ____ officer to make the presentation of the sword.
On
motion of Lieut. T. Lilley, Captains Ballew, Ferguson, and Lieut. Gentry were
appointed a committee on finance.
On
motion the meeting adjourned to Friday evening, the 15th.
August 15, 1862
ADJOURNED MEETING
The
meeting was called to order, Captain McLaughlin in the chair.
The
committee of arrangements waited on Col. Vance, and requested his presence in
the meeting.
The
chairman called on the chairman of the committee on resolutions to report.
The
following preamble and resolutions, having been read, were unanimously adopted
by the regiment:
WHEREAS,
The people of our State have called to the chief Executive chair, our Col. Z.
B. Vance, by the most flattering majority ever given to anyone in the
State—without his solicitation, without his consent even to become a candidate,
but with only the assurance that he would “be content with the people’s
will.” Therefore be it resolved,
1.
It is with mingled feelings of regret, pride and
gratification, that we are called upon to give up a commander, in whom all have
placed the greatest confidence—and who, after twelve months in the difficult
relationship of commander and commanded, leaves without a foe, honored and
respected by all.
2.
That we see in the triumphant election of Col. Vance,
not only a compliment to his integrity, his ability and bravery, but an
evidence of the conservatism and sound judgment of the people of our State.
3.
That we confidently trust the brilliant fame, civil and
military, so soon attained by our young commander, will by continued good and
honorable deeds, grow brighter still, and endure till we are called, (long
hence be the day) as a free and independent people, to mourn in him the loss of
a patriot and an honorable man.
4.
That we request Serg’t Major
L. L. Polk to present the sword to Col. Vance, with our best wishes for his
future welfare and success.
5.
The papers of the State be requested to publish the
proceedings of this meeting.
Sergeant Major
Polk then made the presentation with an exceedingly neat and appropriate
address.
Then Col. Vance
arose, and addressed us in a style, and with language which will be long
remembered by all who heard him.
The meeting was
held at night, in the open air, with no less than two thousand soldiers crowded
around. It was indeed a moment of
triumph to him, but rather of sorrow to us, for we parted from one of the best
of men. Our band discoursed most
excellent music during the meeting.
Capt. J. C. McLAUGHLIN, Ch’n.
W. W. GAITHER, Secretary
[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]
