Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-06-30
Presentation Of n Rebel Flag by Capt. :. l..
phelps 20 the VILLAGE of Chnrdnn.


from early childhood resident Of Chardon,
lately presented to the village of Chardon
one Of the Rebel flags captured in the naval
victory Of Memphis.
On Friday evening, June 2Oth, meeting
was held at the Court House in ChardOn, for
thepurpOse of making public presentation,
the Mayor presiding.
Mr.. George E. Paine, of Painesville, by re-
quest OF the lady and parents or Capt, Phelps,
made the presentation speech. Mr.. Paine
said; s|.ILI EE.
Mr. Mayor-It is my pleasant Office this
evening, to present through you TO the village
Of Chsrdon this perforated and smoky trophy
Of the late brilliant Union naval victory of
Memphis present to the village of his in
fancy and bOyhoOd, from Seth LedySrd
Phelps, Lieutenant commanding the gunboat
Benton and acting heet captain of the Upper
Mississippi fotilla.
am distinguished for this purpose by the
parents Of Capt. Phelps, long residents Of
your village, and known by you only to be
respected and honOred for more than third
of a century-and particularly by the excel
lent and worthy lady of Capt, Phelps-nOw
present with US, and who in late years has
often by her presence among you, manifested
her appreciation Of your beautiful village as
a summer resort. And cannot better com
municate to you the character Of this bullet
torn and battle begrimmed trophy, and the
feelings which prompted its presentation
than by reading the accompanying autograph
letter from Capt. Phelps;
U. S. FLAG STEAMER Benton,
MEMPHIS, June IA, 1862.
To his Honor, iAe Mayor Of Chardon
SIR ~ desire to present, through you, to
the village Of ChardOn, Rebel Gag, captured
in the late engagement before this place
In the confusion Of battle this flag came into
our possession, without mark to note from
which one Of the rebel feet it was taken. 1t
was once Union flag and had been altered
to Rebel one by painting over some of the
stars, and sewing together the red and white
stripes, sa as to form the " bars"
1 have presented to my native State,
through Governor Tod, the flag lowered from
the peak of the F." General Bragg" and l now
feel much pleasure in being able to send to
the village where my home ties are, where
my warmly cherished child and boy assoeia
tons all cluster, this trophy from an action
50 disastrieus to the traitors.
am respectfully, your Obedient servant,
S. L. PHELPS, IT. S. N,
Lieut.. Commanding and Acting Fleet Cap
tain.
The Mayor, in behalf ofthe village, accept
ed the flag.
Judge Garfield presented the following res
olutions, which were unanimously adopted
RessL Lsed That II is with pride and satis
faction, receive from capt. ). L. Phetps,
this flag, the emblem Of thwarted and defeat
ed treason; st once a trophy of the recent
victory achieved by our iotilla OF Memphis,
and token Of the enduring regard enter
taiHed by him for the home of his youth, the
residence Of his honored parents, and Of his
kindred and early friends.
Resolued, That while the record of his ser
vices and achievements in this eventful and
bloody struggle with traitors, has become part
Of the Nations history, and Injured to the
common benefit, and while his name has be
come familiarto the people Of the State and
nation as a brave, accomplished and efficient
naval officer, whose triumphs are national
property, yet we claim that deeper interest in
his growing fame which springs from the
right we justly and proudly cherish, Of call
ing him our personal friend AID fellow eiti-
zen.
ResolBed, That we tender to his wife and
kindred now with US, our congratulations
upon the additional lustre which his patrlouc
services are shedding upon hitherto honor
able name. 4.
ResolDed, That this Flag, with a suitable
Inscription, with the accompanying auto
graph letter of Captain Phelps, be deposited
in the ofieo of the Town Recorder, and care
fully treasured as trophy won by the gal
liant donor, to whom, with the brave men un-
der his command, weRward the highest praise
for those brilliant efforts which both merited
and won success.
ResolDed, That we have watched with in
tense and constantly increasing interest the
series Of successful achievements wrought out
| by our naval forces in the valley Of the Mis-
/ sissippi, and we have been compelled to the
belief that, without their efficient aid, all Oul
efforts at crushing out secession in the West
would have been but fruitless and abOrtivG
sacrifices Of life and property; and that OF
that arm Of the National defense VIC mus
still place large reliance for the successful
| termination of this fearful strife.
ResoIDed, That a copy hereof, signed By
/ his honor the Mayor and the Recorder, b
forwarded to Capt. Phelps, as an acknowl
edgment Of our reception Of his valued gift
and of our appreciation Of the kind regard
4 which prompted its bestoWal.