Page:Journal history of the Twenty-ninth Ohio veteran volunteers, 1861-1865.djvu/30

 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 if God in his providence permits us to return to home and kindred, may this flag come back with us to bear witness that the Twenty-ninth regiment Ohio volunteers 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 altar 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."

At last the "boys'" impatience to go anywhere but here, was gratified by an order to move to Camp Chase, near Columbus, Ohio, the date December 25th; and right here it may not be amiss to give an extract from an editorial in the Ashtabula Sentinel, as showing what the people of Jefferson thought of the regiment:

"They leave Jefferson with the respect and esteem of our citizens as an orderly and well behaved body of men. They have been over three months within our quiet village, during which time no disturbance has occurred and no depredations have been committed. They have proved themselves honorable men, the best evidence that they will be brave soldiers. When they are heard from in the fight we have no fears of a bad account."