Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 06.djvu/142

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Southern Historical Society Papers.


earth, where truth so often goes down before falsehood and wrong prevails over right, but in the last great reckoning, then you shall find that right shall make might, and you who have stood by the right shall on that day find that right shall prevail.

Comrades of the artillery! Cherish this flag; remember your record of the past; remember that you are attached to that proud old command, and never forget that you are sons of South Carolina. You have borne that banner on the battle field—bear it now as honorably in the duties of peace. I confide it to your keeping, knowing that it will be protected and honored. [Immense cheering.]

The scene during the utterance of these words defies description. There was hardly a dry eye in the vast assembly.

The modest and unassuming gentleman who received the flag from Governor Hampton was Sergeant E. J. Quimby, of the Washington artillery, who was with Hart's battery in eighty-five of the one hundred and forty-three fights of which Governor Hampton spoke.