Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Massachusetts in the Army and Navy during the war of 1861-1865, vol. 1: prelminary narrative

[154] splintered staves, weave themselves along the warp and woof of these familiar flags, war-worn, begrimed and baptized with blood.

Let the ‘brave heart, the trusty heart, the deep, unfathomable heart,’ in words of more than mortal eloquence, uttered, though unexpressed, speak the emotions of grateful veneration, for which these lips of mine are alike too feeble and unworthy.

General, I accept these relics in behalf of the people and the government. They will be preserved and cherished, amid all the vicissitudes of the future, as mementos of brave men and noble actions.¹

With this closing pledge from the War Governor of Massachusetts, this brief record of the service rendered by the Commonwealth may fitly end.