The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1864-05-17
The Bloody Flag OF Fort Pillow.
Touching Scene in Fort Pickering.


|
On Tuesday last the widow of Ma
jor Booth, the late commander of Fort
Pillow, arrived at Fort Pickering, be-
low this city. Colonel Jackson, of the
9th United States heavy artillery, had
his Regiment formed into line for her
reception. In front of its centre stood
fourteen men, as fine brave fellows as
tread the earth. They were the rem
nant of the lst battalion Of the regi-
ment now drawn up-alf who had es-
capped the tiendish scenes of Fort Pill
low, scenes that have stamped yet
deeper blackness on the infamous brow
1 Of TREASON ri'i"A litif rPh' l""vlA -iif'
Mrs. Booth came forward In her
hand she bore a flag, red and clotted
! with human blood. She took, a posi-
| tion III front Of the fourteen heroes, so
lately under her ndeeeased husbands
commando The ranks before her OBJ
4 served q silence that was full of solcm-
nifty. Many q hrrdy face showed by
twitching lips and htimid eyes how the
sight Of the bereaved lady touched bo-
SONS that could meet steel, and drew
on the fountain of tears that had re-
mained dry even amid the .piteous
sights witnessed on the battlefield after
fierce action. 19i gHoi 3it h3iia9
Turning to the men before her, she
said:, o,,,o.,.,..t s,r a.a . -, .,,--, y,
! Boys, have just come from visit
to the hospital at Mound City. There
| saw your comrads, wounded in the
bloody struggle at Fort Pillow. There
| found this flag-yom recognize it =
One of your comrads saved it from the
insulting touch Of traitors at Fort Pill
low! 4 I'a..au 2nt ~ eW.iaH "
1 have given to my country all | had
to giye--my husband--such gift =
Yet have freely given him, for free
dom and my country.
Next my husbands cold remains,
the dearest object left me in the world,
is this fiag-the flag that waved in
proud defianced over the works Of Fort
/ Pillow!
I Soldiers, this flag / give to you,
knowing that you will ever remember
the last words of my noble husband
"Never surrender the flag to traitors %
Col. Jackson then received from her
hand-on behalf of his command-the
blood-stained flag. He called upon the
regiment to receive it as such gift
ought TO be received. At that call he
and every man in the regiment fell up
on their knees, and solemnly appealing
to the God OF battles, each one sworc
to ayenge their fallen comrads, and
neyer-aeoer, TO surrender tee .Jsag TO
traitors!
The scene was one never to be sur
passed in emotional incident. Beside
the swift-rolling waters of the Missis-
sippi--within the inclosure that bristled
with the death-dcaling cannon, llnelt
these rough soldiers, whose bosoms
were leaving with emotion, and on ma
ny of whose cheeks quivered tear
they tried to hide, though it did honor
TO their manly natures. Beside them
stood in her grief the widow of the To-
we'd officer they had lost-and above
them was held the bloody flag. The
eloquent record of crime that has cap
ped the climax of the rebellion, and
which VIII bring reckoning so fearful
In few but pointed and decisive
words, Col. Alexander pledged himself
and his command to discharge to the
uttermost the solemn obligation Of JUS
tice they had that day taken:
Col Capps followed him, expressing
himself in favor of such retaliatory
acts as justice and the laws of warfare
require in a case of such iiendish and
wicked cruelty. N~ fas
Woe to the unlucky ''reb." who falls
into the hands Of any of the commands
represented at this solemn declaration.
The determination of the officers of the
9th I. 5. heavy artillery is incontesti-
bic, their bravery has been tried, and
they have never been found wanting.