[for the Richmond Dispatch.]
Wreathe fair chaplets for the warrior's brow, Of flowers first--the blushing rose. Wild rings the trumpet o'er bleeding ranks to glory marching; O'er carnage fields and bloody plains. Mr. Editor:--I avail myself of the present auspicious moment of informing your numerous readers, through your invaluable paper, of the presentation of a fine charger, with its assortments, worth in round numbers in your city $1, by the officers and privates of the 18th Alabama, to Col. J. L. Sheffield, commanding Law's Brigade. The presentation took place in presence of the regiment, when drawn up in line for dress parade.--The Adjutant of the regiment made the presentation speech. It was short, but very appropriate, and to the point. The Colonel, in reply, said that he was overwhelmed by this new manifestation of the high appreciation of his humble ability to serve his country; that no event in his past life was attended with such an emotion of pleasure as the noble gift before him; that he appreciated it more, coming from the source it did, than the brightest coronet in the King crown in Russia; that they had, by their military prowess won the high regard of both friends and foes at the battles at Cedar Mountain, Manassas, Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg; that the field was still open for new manifestations of their love of country and their undying devotion to their country's cause.--He then spoke of the many noble and gallant sons that came out with prospects as bright and cheering as ours, whose devotion to their country was with their blood, and asked, where are they? Where is a Capt. Lee, a Capt. Zolikely, and a host of others. Gone, gone, forever, to that bourn from whence no transfer returns. But their memory it will live in the heart of their countrymen till time will be no more. This Republic is their monument; its history their biography. She will make their names live inseparable from her existence when the and despotic that essays to their lovely government shall be known no more. In his concluding remarks he assured them that no act of his should ever separate him from the 48th. At the conclusion of his remarks Major Hardwick called for three cheers for Col. J. L. Sheffield, which were heartily responded to by the regiment, when it dispersed to its quarters. [*] James M. Lowe, Surgeon 48th Ala.
