Sword Presentation

Sword Presentation June 16, 1862

Dear Journal: The ceremony of presenting the splendid sword, heretofore noticed in the Journal, to Brigadier General William P. Benton, commanding the 1st brigade, 1st Division, Army of the Southwest, came off about a week since, and was an occasion very interestingly relieving to the monotony of camp life.

The gift was originally designed to be a compliment, tendered by the officers of the old brigade, composed of the 8th, 18th, and 22d Indiana regiments, of which he had command during the mid-winter march from Central Missouri to Cross Hollows, Arkansas.

The officers of all these regiments subscribed liberally for that purpose, just before the battle of Pea Ridge, during which, and before any collections had been made, except from the 8th regiment, this subscription was accidentally lost by the officers having it in possession.

Taking advantage of my visit to Indiana on sick leave, I procured the sword; and on my return to the command, the old brigade having been dismembered by the transfer of the 22d to another division, it was concluded to make it a regimental testimonial of the estimation in which Gen. Benton was held by the “Old Eight,� of which he had so long been in honored command.

The regiment being formed on its “parade,� was marched to the General’s headquarters, and properly disposed, when Col. Shunk, who prefers a hard fight to a long speech, presented the sword, with a few plain, direct, and well timed remarks, worth of the man, and befitting the occasion.

The General, who by the way, can talk as well as fight, reverted modestly to his military career, his services in the ranks in Mexico, and his progressive elevation to his present position, but declared that to be the proudest moment of his life.

Briefly reviewing the hardships, exposures, and peril incident to the campaign in Western Virginia—the fight at Rich Mountain—the expedition under Fremont to Springfield—the terrible winter march to Cross Hollows—the bloody battle of Pea Ridge, and the subsequent tedious migration of the command to this point; the toils, privations, and dangers of which had been shared by himself, and uncomplaingly borne by the brave men whom he was addressing; that these men, said he, should thus unite in this expression of confidence and regard, gave the costly and beautiful present a value, in his estimation, infinitely above its intrinsic worth.

In conclusion, he pledged himself never to betray that confidence, or become unworthy that regard. Accepting the sword in a spirit responsive to that in which it was bestowed, he would part with it but with life, and dying, bequeath it to his son, never to be drawn but in defense of his country’s honor—never sheathed while a foreign or domestic foe, in arms threatened her existence or integrity.

After three hearty cheers for the General, and three also for Col. Shunk, a new and beautiful flag, donated by the ladies of Terre Haute and Indianapolis, on which was inscribed Rich Mountain and Pea Ridge, was presented to the regiment by Gen. Benton, in a brief, but patriotic and expressive address. This was responded to appropriately by Col. Shunk, when, after three deafening cheers for the “Stars and Stripes,� all quietly retired to their quarters, evidently pleased and gratified with the spirit which characterized the occasion. A. W. Sanford,
Chaplain 8th Indiana.