Evening star., 1865-04-24
INTERESTING SCENE AT THE WAR DE-


PARTMENT
Colonel Sherman to- day preFented to the w ar
Department fifty one coIors, captured by the
cavalry portion of Major General Sheridan s
commend at the battles of Din widdie Court
House, Five Forks, and the series of calvary
engagements from Sutherland Station along
the Appemattox to Tabernacle Church as well
as at the engagements at JetersvilIe, Sailors
Greek and Appomattox Court House, where
the Confederate Army OF Northern Virginia
surrendered to Lieutenant General Grant.
Brevst Major II. w. Farrar, A. ID. o. to
Major General Wright, commanding 9Th corps,
presented 10 rebel flags and guidons, cap.
tured by that corps.
First Lieutenant q. W. Ford, s5th N. Y.
volunteers, presented Is flags, captured by
the I'd corps, commanded by Major General
Humphreys.
Colonel Sherman addressed the Secretary Of
War as follows:
I have the honor, as the representative Of
Major General Sheridan, to present to the
War Department fitty-o flags, taken from
taken in a series OF engagements. commencing
at Din widdie, Five Forks, and Sailors Greek,
and ending at Appomattox Court House with
the surrender OF General Lee. One fact de.
serves attentton-that these men all belong to
the cavalry, who, under their gallant leader,
General Sheridan, captured these colors from
the enemys infantry: They Sre deserving any
indulgence which their General may have
asked for them, or you may see fit to grant
The Secretary of War replied
In the name OF the people Of the United
States, Of the President, and of this Depart.
ment, return to Gen. Sheridan, to your COM
paIions in arms, and to yourselves, thanks
thauks for the loyal patriotism and valor which
have brought such trophies into the archives
OF this Department, thanks for your devotion
to your country's cause ltis with profound
grief that l cannot return to you the thanks OF
the late President, who, since you won these
spoils, has gone from the highest pinnacle Of
honor and glory in this world to the right hand
OF God, where, il it be permitted mortals to
look upon what is passing in the world be-
meath, now sees what is transpiring in this
chamber.
The very day after his return from Rich
mond passed with him some OF the happiest
moments OF my life; our hearts beat in exulta-
tion at your victories, because we belle we'd they
would bring the speedy return or an honorable
peace, and the re. establishment OF the authority
OF the Constitution and the laws over the W hole
United States. To him who now fills his place
the same loyalty, the same courage, the same
devotion, are due He will be to you what his
predecessor has been, watching with interest
everything that concerns his c0untry's cause,
and that will in any degree tend to the re
establishment of the Constitution and laws of
the United States, and afford just reward for
the valor, courage and patriotism Of its SOL
diers.
Ifyou have one friend leas upon earth, now
that Abraham Lincoln has passed away, let
us rejoice that you have one more friend In
Heaven, and that q man fills his place who,
BY the blessing OF God. will complete his
work. The late President watched the battles
in which these flags were won, with great and
absorbing interest. He has fallen because he
never would nave allowed them to be again
raised in defiance against the Stars and Stripes,
the banner of the United States; and so long
as the people and army are true to Themselves,
that event never again will happen. The
blood that has been shed, the victories won,
will not 60 for naught but live in all recorded
time, bearing from year to year their blessings
and their fruit.
To each one OF you the thank, Of the Gov
eminent are returned A medal of honor will
be awarded to each, and also leave of ab-
sence, as requested by your gallant General,
that you may severally proceed to your homes,
visit your families and friends, and, If need
be, again 60 forth to battle in the nations
cause.
Soldiers of the 9th and I'd corps: What has
been said TO your companions is repeated TO you
return to your gallant commanders, to your
brave comrades and TO yourselves the thanks
OF the people OF the United States. OF ths Presi.
dent, and OF this Department for these evidences
OF your patriotic valor After Its long and
bloody battles, its many sacrifices, and tbe
display of persistent gallantry and courage
that have filed the world with amazeInent, al
rejoice that it " as reserved to the Army of thu
Potomac to Gro wn its glories with the capture
of the rebel capital Of Richmond.