The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-09-11
The Palmetto Flag and Lieut.. sollecl.

Tie Columbia Cdro!imiqn in publishing Tho
account of the erection Of a monument by, Col:
Marshall, over the grave Of Lcnt. Selleck. eulls
the following testimony from the Congressional
pamphlet. published lost year, and giving 'thc
history of the raising of the first American
Flag in the City of Mexico" The testimony
establishes two roints Tint the Palmetto, was
the first flug rniscd, and that Lient Selleck was
the man who raiscdit That old flag, tu,tcrel
and torn. is preserved in the State Capital,
whilst many of its gallant defenders sleep be-
meath clods Of the valley. Let us cherish
their memory, aud award nll due praise to
their gallantry and patriotism
Seen. Qutm:n. the commanding officer on
the occasion. says:
'The Gari;a was taken OIL charge at full
run at twenty mInutcs past one o'clock. AnX-
i"us to wave up the whole column, with the
view Of entering the city pelmcl will, the
rctrrating enemy, called for colors. Tic Pai-
m"fio F1ag ~'ts the first reported 10 n,r, and Jy
my orders, Lirmicnant iSriiick, Of tie South Caro-.
Ina R'gimcmt, He,, my stat as or,ii,unce oif
Ger, ~ax Orocrcdto dixpiay thai .fay or the Garita
In doing so he was severely wounded"
lie adds
'.No flag was regularly planted at tbs point
but that Of the Palmetto Regiment, and that
was done, not for idle ceremony, but rs :fsignnl
to the whole army that the gates of the '':5n:'
cred CITY were IN our possession"
''A short time after crossing the GARTH, my
attention was drawn TO n flag displayed from
the Garitt bat cry. mhich / then understood ard
"or bcii"re 10 hare bcc,. tic fay Of tic South Cur-
o!ina Rcg;mcnt"
The following is Col. Gcary's statement:
"Ihc final charge was then made and after
sangninnry struggle the Garita WAS captured
Immediately upon its capture. saw the gallant
commander of our division waving u handkcr.
chief fixed upon n rifle, from tho parnprt of
the gate. After many of the troops had arri.
we'd within the wall, General Quitman announ =
ccL the fact that We were III the city Of Mexico.
aud were the first American troops that had
passed the ramparts. Standing near the Gen
cral ut that moment, he asked General Smith
and myself To note Tie time, which was tccnty
mhhtcs past OcIock p. m, md then he re-
marked, ''whorvcr survives the action should
remember that fact" Previous to this time,
had observed no co!ors raised at the Gurita !;
General Quitman then called for colors which
lie was dcsirous to have raised as IL symbol of
victory over the Gnrita. for the benefit Of the
other portions of the American army. I.cni.
s'click, Of the Palmetto Regiment, then act ing
rs one of tho Generals staff officers, brought
forward the colors of that regiment, aud with
the assistance Of Capt. Charles Naylor, of my
regiment, placed them above the nuucduct in
tae Gnrita; while holding the flag in that ro-
sl'ion, Lieutenant Sellick was severely wouu.
Ici."
Mr.. Lowell, chief Of staff to General Quit,
man. says:
IL handkerchief waved over Gen. Quitmnn,
was the first symbol of victory at the bloody
Gnrita and a call by the General for cnlors was
answered by Lieut. Scllick. Of the South Caro-.
linn Regiment. (since dcnd,) who in placing the
coIors of this regiment upon tie Garita received
n severe wound"
And Yet another witness, Capt Charles Nay
lor snys:
General Quitman ordered flag to be raised
for this purpose. So far as / can remember
there was no American flag there; there was
certainly none produced or exhibited. y Young
officer, lwhosc name, l am sorry to say, do
not rccollcct,) of the South Carolina Regiment,
brought forward the Palmetto flag, the flag OF
his regiment and State. and will two of his
men and Lieut.. Wilcox, ("f Quitman's staff,
cambered to the top Of little shed adjoining
the n1ueduct and upon the right of the gate
as We enter the city, and from the top of the
little shed he raised the Palmetto flag over the
aqneduct. and there held it amid tremendous
fire, provoked for Il time into increased severity
upon that point hy the display Of the flag"