The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-06-12
YANKEE IN ALEXANDRIA, .--AL.MOS1
a CAPTURE OF SECESSION FLAG.

Washington, May %.
have already apprised you by telegraph Of
the leading features Of the bold and dangerous
achievements of Boston Banker. which resulted
in the taking OF ''COnfe lerate" flag. The details
will be found highly interesting and exciting
On Tuesday, Mr.. Charles f. Fuller, accompanied
by his brother, w. j. A. Fuller, prominent \.
Y. lawyer, spent the day in looking about Alex
andria, having no purpose except curiosity 10
see what Virginia troops looked like. They reg
istered their real names and residence, and, of
course, were marked men from that moment
After thorough exploration of the city, they
dined at the hotel, with about fifty officers of the
Secession army, and the elder brother took the
last stage for Washington, which he reached that
night without any striking adventure. The
Younger brother declared his determination to
bring home the only Secession flag that was fy-
ing in the place. il he sacrificed his life in the
attempt. He said he ''could not stand it" to see
the rebel bunting Haunting defanty in full sight
Of the Capitol, and have it he would at any haz.
ard No persuasion could make him foregO the
rash attempt. He took a room at the hotel-the
Marshall Hoase-wnere the proprietor keeps the
flag fying, swearing he was "a bloody old Seces
siOnist. and Lincoln could not make him haul it
down" He expressed a strong desire to see any
Odd Yankee attack that flag. Mr. F. got
exceedingly irate at this boast, and thought he
would lie, him know that Massachusetts, men had
more pluck than was credited them by the "Chiv-
airy" The hotel is a large four story building,
and was filled with secession troops. Mr.. f., by
little adrot management, had room assigned
him in the main building, from the roof of which
the flagstaff ran up through an open scuttle.-
After tea he grouped his way towards the roof,
and found the upper doors locked lie then
climbed the nearest window, eight or ten feet
above the stairway, and found il nailed down.
| He bought hammer at a hardware store, went
back and drew the nails. Being perfect gym
mast, and active as a cat, he expected to climb to
1 the roo. by the spout, but this proved rotten as
paper, and compelled him to abandon the at
tempt. He next searched about the city and
found a locksmth, whom he told that he wanted
a bunch of keys to open a closet. The man Of
fered to go with him and fit the lock, but Mr.. f.
I" did not see it !" in that light. He said he would
not trouble him to 90, but would take a bunch
of keys, and leave FIVE dollars deposit for their
return.
Armed with ten keys he returned to the hotel,
watched like ca: for his opportunity, and when
the coast was clear ascended to the upper story,
and tried his KEYS. Six of them were tried un
successfully, and the seventh had turned the
lock, when he was nearly surprised by a party oi
soldiers who came up the stairs. tie rushed in
to sort Of dark closet adjoining, secreted him
self under mattress, and waited with breathless
anxiety until they passed into the next room
where they soon became absorbed in a lively
game of poker" at FIVE cents "ante." ii,
then went back, unlocked the door, felt his way
in the dark to the flag staff, tried the signal hal
yards, found that everything worked beautifully
and that be was sure, at least, of hauling dOwr
the flag. He mounted the roof, and took gen
eral survey of the premises. This was about
O'Clock in the evening. The streets were full o
citizens and troopers, and the full moon shon,
bright as day. He was again alarmed by part
of soldiers mounting the stairs, and feared tha
J the slight lowering and raising of the flag, mad
when he was trying the halyards, had been Oh
served from the streets. He stood behind tn
door, determined to jump by the first comers an,
; over the heads OF those coming after, aud max
a run for the dock, some four or FIVE blocks of
jump in and swim to the Pawnee. The Massa
chusetts boys of the 9Th Regiment, who kno,
him well, say that "a man must be swift on foo
to catch Charlie" Happily the troops went int
another room. lie then vert toward the rive
to alter the moorings of small vessel, so ths
: her change OF position might signify to his brott
er, who had concerted to cover his swim towar
, the pawnee, that the boat could approach With
hail. He was turned back by sentinels at ever
e street approaching the river. The whole shor
was guarded. He then determined to 60 back
the hotel, haul down the flag, and trust to ,h
chapter OF accidents. After 4 careful reconnoi
ance, at about 10 o'clock, when everybody's a
$ 'ention was engaged by the passing Of three ca
n airy companies, he hauled down the flag, cut II
g haards, and made them fast to the elect TIL
: they might not be observed swinging loosely
= To his horror he discovered that he had caug
an elephant. The flag was over so feet lon
: and about Is feet wide. He took off his Goa
D. vest, and pants, and commenced winding the fl
about his body. To use his own expression,
thought he never should get il all coilsd away.
:, He succeeded, however, by making a sort
', Daniel Lambert of himself, in tyipg up his pan
:, : and coat, "a to etfictually hide the p a.ic
: emblem. He marched down stairs, got out
the house, without exciting suspicion, and sta
of ed on his travels. Critical as vas his positic
with the river bank lined with sentries, a