Weekly Trinity journal., 1864-06-25
Under the Old Flag.

Under the Old Flag.
So small thing as the scratch of nail some
times affects the history of lifetime
We had ridden all day at smart pace, paus
| ing only now and then in the shade of waysde
forest stretches to breathe our horses, faded and
worn by long travel. We had set out with high
hopes and resolute purposes to inhict a blow at
the very vitals of the Confederacy and under
Grierson's gallant lead we had so far, swept
everything before US, scattering in dismay the
bands of rebel troopers marshaled to resist our
progress and leaving on every side the evidence
of our avenging presence, Inspired by success.
running with the love of adventure, we
dashed along-past thrifty fields, past scattered
houses with affrighted inmates reering from door
and window past villages too contemplate for
our understanding and laughing as we rode,
careless of present danger Indifferent altogether
to the probable hazards of the future.
| While however, we had so far been successful
at all points, had not escaped conflict and
slight loss At several points in excursion
We had been sharply engaged and while many
of the enemy had been made to bite the dust, a
few of our own gallant riders had been left to
keep them company on the field But notwith-
standing all this we swept gayly forward spread
ing terror everywhere, with smiles on our faces
and laughter on our tongues.
We had ridden smartly all day, and now in the
twilight detachment of us were sweeping into
Enterprise, Mississippi, TO the left of the route
pursued by the main column. We knew the
enemy had concentrated there in some force !;
but that only heightened our interest in the place,
and with firm and steady columns We charged
| straight into the town. Before the stars had
come out we had fought and vanquished the
rebels, and, with horses picketed in the
streets, were foraging for such cheer as we could
obtain from the inhabitants. In the main, they
were by no means the hospitable people we ex
pected to find, but we managed, notwithstand-
| ing their coolness to make ourselves very COM
] Portable, taking some liberties, ii must be con-
fessed, which probably strict construction of
army regulations would hardly have permitted.
But we could not oter long-it was long
way yet to Baton Rouge-so, after resting our
horses and refreshing ourselves prepared to
mount and be off. had taken supper just
the edge of town, with an old man and his daugh-
ter, occupying neat little house, and had been
| treated with great kindness. | said my adieux.
! therefore, in my politest style, and started for
my horse, most of my comrades having already
mounted. But was to ride no more, that time,
under Grierson's brave lead. As lcaped tow
ard my horse, in haste to join my comrades,
nail projecting from the side Of the gate caught
my coat STOPPING hurriedly in a blind sort Of
impotence to cxtrcate myself from the annoy
ing duress, another sharp point struck me right
under the eye, and with howl of pain fell
back stunned and bleeding, being blind indeed,
for the moment from the agony of the hurt.
| An hour after, opening my eyes, found myself
in pleasant little room, lying on faded lounge,
with the old man whose hospitality had enjoy
ed sitting by me. 4 candle, standing on table,
gave feeble light which made my face seem
spectral in the little looking glass just oppo-
site.
In moment compreheuded the " situation"
and inquired neryously,
"Whcre are my comrades? Have they ali
gomez"
- Yes, an hour ago
And left me here all alone? % Then in a
moment added, bri8tling And among enc
mics p
. All alone, sir, but not among enemies. They
didn't know. perhaps you not with them.
1t was dark, and they didn't move in much
| order" Then, as if to re-a.sure me, he contin-
ued q But You need not be afraid sir well
take care of YOU"
q But my HORSE said what has become
of him ~
Il cut him loose and let him 20 some time
ago it wouldn t have done for any of the neigh
bors to have found him picketed before my door
No doubt he has followed the others"
Here was fix indeed. Left alone, half blind,
with singing pain in my face and eyes. with
not loyal man, probably, in all the town, liable
at any moment to be taken out by some gang of
rebel cannibals. and hung up or CHARTERED or
buried alive. had started to ride through the
bowels of the Confederacy to Baton Rouge but
| was likely only to ride through the bowels of
some rebel Hades.
The old man evidently comprehended my
thoughts.
Don't give yourself any uneasiness," he said
We haven forgotten the old flag in this house :"
and glow came over his face, land We will
be glad to keep all harm from one of its defend
ersl Jane p
9 Here, father and moment afterthe daugt-
ter stepped into the room looked at her moro
| carefully now that was likely to be her guest
for a season. She was round ROSY little BODY.
with clear black eyes and thick wavy hair falling
over her face, and soft CHEEKY tone in her voice
that was like music.
Jane" said old man, as she came into
the room, 'where is the fag?'
She slipped out moment and then. coming
softly back, held ont to the father little flag
with all the stars upon it. He fondled it for
moment.
ave have kept it, sir, he then said. 81 hid
den away out of sight for two long years. look
at it every morning before l 90 out it keeps
fresh in my heart the memory of the good old
times before treason had tried to blot ont its
| stars. You see you will be safe with us if YOU
will only keep out of sight
Well, I safe for a time-safe from the
rebels, civilians and soldiers, swarming around
us, but not safe from the little mink, Jane Wes-
ton who sat with me every afternoon in the little
| room where they nad stOWeu me away. NV eye
was too much infamed to permit Of my reading
| so Jane read to me an hour or so every day. Of
course very soon fell in love. L hadn't any
thing else to do IN fact. Jane at last what
state I was in, and grew shy and reserved But
! was too old a campagner to be alarmed at
that. just took her one day in my arms. told
her loved her from the crown of her head to
| the solo of her feet that l would not fight
another day for the Union if she did not at once
consent to be my wife and strange to say, the
shy little creature, overcoming her reserve, ac-
cepted me right out, saying regularly,
i Not for you own sake, John-I only take you
on patriotic grounds, far secure you to
the country-for no other reason, will assure
you
VI course had my revenge for this imperti-
hence but that is neither here nor there
! Late one afternoon the old man-hfs name
was James Weston-came hurriedly home with
troubled face