Manly Wade Wellman - Novel 1955
Page 18
He paused, and glanced toward the benches beside the platform.
“But you, who were once a battalion, are now a regiment. While brave men have turned to war’s pursuits, fair ladies have done their part as well. I am desired to say, on behalf of certain lovely ladies of New Orleans, that this regiment is well worthy of flags—one for itself as a regiment, one the colors of the country it serves. Such flags have been sewn for you by the fairest hands of your city.”
Two figures in gay dresses rose from a bench. Beside them rose two officers, and these stripped the casings away from two flags. As each flag was cleared, the officer shook it out. The staffs were placed in the hands of the two waiting ladies.
“You see the regimental flag of the Voltigeurs,” said General Wilkinson, “and you see also the twin to the one flying here upon the very levee of New Orleans, the stripes and stars of the United States. Let not these colors be struck to any foe. Let them be borne to the front of any contest in which you become engaged, and let them be brought back covered with glory.”
The two ladies bore the flags forward. Ben recognized Madame O’Rourke and Felise.
“Colonel O’Rourke,” said General Wilkinson ringingly, “designate your color company, and the representatives who are to receive on behalf of your regiment these flags.”
Colonel O’Rourke saluted, and turned a full about-face.
“Our color company is Company D,” he announced. “I designate the lieutenants of that company to accept these flags. Lieutenants Parker and Beaumont, come forward.”
It was for this moment that Ben had waited. He stepped back, signaled to Casimir with his eye, then faced left. With cadenced, marching rhythm he rounded the left flank of his company, moved straight to the front 5 then faced in, marching, and finally came to a halt and faced Colonel O’Rourke. Casimir stood at Ben’s side, motionless and martial.
On either side of the Colonel, the ladies held out the flags. Casimir took the regimental standard from his aunt. And Felise, putting the bright banner of America into the hands of Ben, smiled with a radiance like that of the day, of the flag, of the hope of all the world.