I've tried to keep the spelling, spacing, etc. the same as on his handwritten notes, I'll try to attach that later.

[1 FEB 63*]

Accept, Sir, in behalf of the fair donors who do me and
my command this honor, my most sincere and
heartfelt thanks. I cannot express my gratitude
when I accept this token of exteem from their
hands – and assure them that for their sakes
we will ever cherish it with feelings of pride
and devotion.
I accept it, Sir, in behalf of my command
with a heart full of love and veneration for
it – as the representative of our national
existence.
Its white represents that purity which belong
to fair and gentle woman – an emblem of
Truth and the unsullied honor of our
devoted country.
Its red represents the gory battle fields upon
which lies the bodies of too many of our
fathers brothers, husbands, friends, comrades in arms
murdered heroes – martyrs to the great cause
of Truth Justice and Constitutional Liberty.
Indeed, my friends, it may be said
with solemn truth that this has been a
war characterised by the most cruel, barbarous
and unnatural spirit upon the part of our
enemies. Than which the pages of History
none such in the annals of the world.
Most conspicuous for devastation rapine
and murder alas! Too often felt by tender
woman.
Under this banner we have enlisted
our patriotism – we have enlisted with a
calm determination to drive back the base
invader who has polluted our soil insulted
our grey haired fathers wives mothers and sisters
and spread desolation and suffering broad
cast through this smiling land.

[page 2 (interior), on reverse of page 1]

We have seen our grand old Mother State
– the mother of heroes and statesman –
groaning under the iron heel of oppression
– from her burning cities, granite
hills lovely valleys and beautiful Savannahs
comes up a cry for help – a cry that
goes home to the heart of her children
and most nobly have they answered her
call.
Under this banner – the chosen emblem
of our national pride – by the assistance
of that God who rules the destiny of nations
we have hurled back a proved defiance to
the foe. We mean to vindicate and confirm
those great interests and social policy
upon which our very national existence
depend. We mean to prove ourselves worthy
of the legacy bequeath us by our fathers, the
right of a people to govern themselves – worthy
of the chivalric South and the smiles of
her fair and gentle daughters.
When we accept this flag from your
hands we remember the sufferings,
your patriotic admonitive privations
and hardships, too often the broken hearts
of our mothers and wives and sisters and
fair and gentle friends all over the country,
and remembering this when the enemy should
meet us and the fight is hottest, we will
look up to it think of the givers, our
hearts will be nerved our arms strengthened
and we will determine to be worthy o
gift. Presented by woman -
with their tearful & patriotic admonition
never to desert it ring in our ears
with their tearful admonition
never to desert it ringing in our ears
– what more
noble incentive could make us exclaim
Then welcome be Cumberland’s steed to the shock
Let him dash his proud foam like the wave on the rock
But woe to his kindred & woe to his cause
When Albian her claymore indignantly draws

[page 3 (interior)]

Permit me again to thank you for this handsome
gift and beautiful token and hope with you
all that the black clouds that envelope our
distracted country may soon be dissipated
by the dawn of peace, national prosperity
and domestic happiness – that the war’s
stern alarums may be changed to merry greetings,
and we may work our fortunes with some
fair daughter of the South amid blooming
magnolias and orange blossoms to enjoy
a long life of happiness and a harvest of
plenty. – Ladies we will think of you
often and your beautiful gift with
feelings of gratitude pleasure & pride.

[*This is the speech delivered by Captain James DeWitt Hankins upon presentation of a flag “made by Richmond ladies” to the Surry Light Artillery. This copy of the speech does not have a date on it, but the ceremony was mentioned in as having taken place “About the first of February”, 1863 in The Virginia Regimental Histories Series volume about the Surry Light Artillery, and a February 6, 1863 letter published in Under the Stars and Bars states the ceremony took place “recently”.

– The quote at the bottom of page two is from Lochiel's Warning by Thomas Campbell.]