Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-10-22

Union Men 10 Read.
In THB ARMY BEFORE RroHHoHD, I
October ID, 1864.
During a recent reconnaissance toward
Richmond, up the Newmarket road, one Of
the enemy's pickets was brought in wound
ed. The poor fellow claimed to be a loyal
man from Richmond, forced into service
but few days before as a member of the
local defense, and already seeking an op-
portunity to desert. In proof Of his asser-
ton, he asked me to take his wallet from
his pocket and examine its contents
There, in an inner compartment, found
q certificate from we'll Known Union cit
izen Of Richmond, inaQrns SS-...a hearer-as
''reliable" aud tfdstWorthy, while folded
with it was small colored wood cut of
the dear old flag. 1t was truly touching
sight. Brought out from its long con-
cealment, that miniature representation of
the national banner gave assurance of the
uuwGVeriug fidelity of the true-hearted
American, who now lifted his bleeding
right arm and renewed his oft-repeated
and thoroughly tested vows of devotion to
the land of liberty and to the stars and
stripes. In the long, dark days of treason
and misrule, when only the haunting ban
ner of rebellion was above him, and an
assertion of loyalty was made ever at the
peril of life, the simple minded patriot had
treasured that little flag as talismAnic
charm-as a bright memento of by gone
days of peace, of freedom, and of union
and as an earnest of better days to come,
when it should be again the symbol of
recognized and obeyed government, and of
an undivided nationality.
- EHalT 80
was subsequently, proved true by the testi-
mony of those who had known him in his
Richmond home. he was one of many,
yet loyal, yet lovers Of that dear old flag,
even at this day, and in the stronghold of
rebellion, in the capital of the "confedera-.
cy"-men to whom the nation may say in
commendation, as said the apostle to the
church at Pergamos: 81 know thy works,
and where thou dwellest, even where Sa-
tan's seat Is; and thou holdest fast my
name, and hast not denied my faith, even
in those days wherein many we're my faith
ful martyrs, who were slain among you
where Satan dwelleth."
"a sAUCY FLAG" TO FIaHr UNDER.
"I tell you," said South Carolina SOL
dier to me, while Q prisoner in rebeldom,
"the stars and stripes are just the sauciest
rag to fight under that was ever swung on
battle field" And he said truly. God
bless the dear old hagl and all who love
and are true to it. 1t is easy to cheer for
it in the free air of northern city. Il is
good to follow it even in the smoke of bat
tie and amid the shower of shot and shell.
1t is hard to suffer away from it, and to look
upon Its bright colors only by stealth aud
at peril. None can love il more dearly, or
appreciate it more thoroughly, than the
unwilling dwellers among Its should be
supporters who repudiate its sway.
SPECIMEN OF THE DEsERTERs.
Before Petersburg, a few weeks since,
two deserters came into our lines across
the confield, where the opposing pickets
had done their bartering. One of them was
q mere lad, not yet seventeen, from loyal
East Tennessee, q portion of the spOils of
those who "rob the cradle and the grave"
He, especially, was delighted at his escape
from rebeldom. Both told how closely
conscriPts and recaptured deserters were
guarded to prevent their flight to the Union
lines. "They keep two reg'lars at each
feller every night" said one. "But how
did you get away n was asked. "oh, we
watched chance daytimes. We allowed
how we was gosn after roastin' ears, and
then we JUS KEEP pullin' and KEEP comm,
and we got to you'uns.' "Well you look
pleased" said our brigade comRauder.-
"You act as if you thought you were among
friends, now" ayes sir" replied the Ten
nesseean, ."Pm dogged if don't feel at
home, now" And there are many, many
soldiers in the rebel army, and many, many
citizens in the down trodden, rebellion
cursed South, who "feel at home" only
under the old flag. The war we wage is
for the liberation of the oppressed loyalists
in all the land. God grant that q sight of
the stars and stripes may soon cheer all
those who are now denied its enjoyment
and protection.