New York Senator Ira Harris (1802-1875), close political friend of U. S. President Abraham Lincoln, is one the nation’s most prominent Baptists. His name also graces New York’s 2nd Regiment Calvary, known as the “Harris Light Calvary.”
Today William O. Stoddard, White House assistant and columnist for the New York Examiner, speaks of Harris in the newspaper:
“I wound up my day’s work by witnessing the presentation of a handsome flag to the ‘Harris Light Cavalry,’ by the distinguished Senator whose name the corps has adopted. The speech of Senator Harris was brief, dignified and earnest, worthy of him….”
The flag is a “unique Tiffany & Co. embroidered standard” with Senator Harris’ likeness. The regiment’s nickname adorns the space above Harris’ portrait, while the words “In God We Trust” are below.
This is not the only New York regiment named after Harris. The 5th Regiment Calvary, commissioned mere weeks ago, is known as the 1st Ira Harris Guard. The following is the text of the speech that Harris gave at the flag ceremony of the 5th Calvary. Some 500 persons attended that event, including “a considerable proportion of whom were ladies.” Harris’ words are cloaked in ardent patriotism, but devoid of Christian nationalist language and sentiment.
COL. DE FOREST, OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE IRA HARRIS GUARD: I am here to-day to perform a most pleasing service. It is to me one of the proudest moments of my life. To-morrow, many of you will depart for the seat of war, there to take part, actively and successfully, I trust, in the great encounter in which our country is now engaged with treason and rebellion. The rest of you will soon follow. Before you go, I desire to place in your hands and commit to your keeping a most sacred deposit — one which I am sure you will be ready to defend with your hearts’ best blood. Look upon that standard. Behold these stars and stripes. As the star of Bethlehem has been, for ages, the great centre of religious hope, so these stars and stripes are the emblem of all we hold dear as Americans. Upon these the patriot rests his best hopes. They are the great beacon-light of oppressed humanity throughout the world. And yet these stars and stripes — so precious in the eyes of every true American — and now ten-fold more precious than ever before — were, a little while ago, at Fort Sumter — in one of the States represented by these stars, basely, ignominiously shot down. The news which comes to us, this morning, encourages the belief that our flag has again been planted, find now floats in triumph over the polluted soil of South Carolina. The outrage at Fort Sumter was committed not by a foreign foe — this could have been endured — but by the coward hands of traitors. This was too much to bear. At their country’s call, hundreds of thousands of patriotic men have gone forth to avenge the insult and suppress this most atrocious rebellion — the most atrocious that the world ever saw. Hundreds of thousands more are ready to go whenever their country needs them. Neither men nor money shall ever be wanting until this great rebellion is utterly extinguished. This is the great and noble errand upon which you go. I think I know the men to whom I speak. They are brave men — they are patriotic men. I must and believe there is not one of you who would not pour out his blood like water, to save his country from destruction or dishonor. How gladly would I go with you. Did my circumstances permit, I would march with you to-morrow, and share with you the perils and the glory of the patriot soldier. But though I cannot go, I rejoice that my name and honor are to go with you. I know they will be safe in your hands. Col. DE FOREST, as the representative and leader of this noble band of men, I commit this standard to your hands. Keep it — stand by it — defend it, even with your life. Let it be rent and marred in the intensity of the conflict to which you go, but let it never be dishonored by the polluting touch of a traitor’s hand. And I ask you — both you, and the men of your command — now and here, in the presence of this large assemblage, to record your vow, that, God helping, you, this banner shall not pass from your hands until it shall wave in graceful triumph over the very grave of treason. And Colonel, I have yet another equally delightful office to perform. The duty has been assigned to me of presenting to you this other flag. It comes from delicate hands. It is the united gift of love and patriotism. Take it with you, and, when far a way upon the tented field, let it be to you for a memorial of the loved ones you leave behind you. And when you come to meet the foe in battle, let it, with talismanic power, nerve your arm to strike heavier, deadlier blows in your country’s cause. And now, Colonel, officers and men, farewell. I shall watch your movements with the intesest interest. Whatever my humble efforts can accomplish for your welfare or comfort shall be done. But the life of a soldier is no holiday life. I know you will endure hardships as good soldiers — that you will brave even death itself in a cause so glorious. Some of you will fall in battle. Oh, it is a glorious death thus to die. Some of you — most of you. I hope — will live to return. But come not back, I charge you, until you come covered all over with glory, to receive the plaudits of a grateful country.
The Harris regiments serve ably during the war, and a history of the 5th Calvary is published shortly after the war ends.
Sources: “Abraham Lincoln and New York — Ira Harris” (link); “New York State Battle Flags” (link); New York Times, “Presentation of Colors to the Ira Harris Calvary,” November 12, 1861 (link); Louis N. Boudrye, Historic Records of the Fifth New York Calvary, First Ira Harris Guard, Albany, NY: Sr. Gray, 1865, p.17ff (link); “2nd New York Voluntary Calvary” (link)
