“… I must commit to your hands, upon the field, the flag of Georgia, and the honor of Georgia. In your custody I know that the one will ever wave victorious, and the other will never be tarnished. While the eyes of a million of persons in Georgia will be anxiously turned towards you, the prayers of our churches, our mothers, our wives our daughters, and our sisters will constantly attend you. None will contemplate your defeat, but the hearts of all will leap with joy at your success. Take then that flag in your hands, and remember that, in the presence of this vast audience, I here commit the honor of Georgia to your keeping.”—Governor Joseph E. Brown addressing the First Georgia after the regiment's formation.