Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-03-25
DAILY LEADER
SATURDAY, MARCH 25. 1865.
sHERIDAN'S HEROES AND SEC
RETARY STANTON.
of the Flags Captured by
Sheridan at the War Department.

The Washington Chronicle contains the
following highly interesting description OF
the scene at the War Department at the
presentation of the seventeen battle flags
captued from Early, to which reference
has been made by the telegraph:
The seventeen bsttle-hags noted in our
issue f the goth instant as captured from
the rebels by the Sd cavalry division of
Major General Sheridan's command in the
action of Wsynesboro, Virginia, on the I'd
instant, we're yesterday presented 10 the
War Department by Msjor II. B. Comp
son, of the sth New York Cavalry who
had been detailed by General Sheridan to
perform that duty. The Sd cavalry divi-
sion is commanded by Msjor- General Gus
ter, whose exploits have made his name so
familiar to the country. Among those
who witnessed the interesting proceedings
were the besutiful and accomplished wife
of that gallant young officer and the Hon.
Irs Harris, Senator from New York, to
whom each csptor was introduced by the
Secretary of War as he presented his
trophy. The cordial and graceful manner
in which Mrs. Custer took officer and sol
der by the hand, and the manly bearing
of these sun-b4rnt heroes Of many battles,
will long be remembered by those who had
ths good fortune to be witnesses of the pre-
sentRtion.
The flags we're then presented, each by
its csptor, who briefly narrated the circum-
stances under which it was taken. We
subjoin few of the accounts:
Captain Christopher C. Bruton, of COM
pany G, 22d New York cavalry, and aid
de-eamp of General Custer, presented a
Confederate national standard, also used as
General Early's headquarters flag. Cap
tain Bruton stated that the flag had been
presented to General Early the morning of
its capture; that he ssw it passing over the
mountains, and followed it nearly three
miles before he was able to secure it. He
believed that Major Compson either cap
tured or killed the bearer. The captain is
resident of Rochester, Monroe county,
New York.
Second Lieutenant a. Kuder, of the 9Th
New York cavalry, whose home is in Liv-
ingston county, New York, stated that he
captured the flag that he held in his hand,
and also another standard which would be
pres ented by q sergeant. They pursued
the fleeing rebels so closely that they com.
PEELED them to drop two flags, and he, be-
ing nearer than the sergeant, got them
both, but he considered the sergeant enti-
tied to one oil them by his service in aid
ing in their capture.
The Secretsry--You sll set yourselves
on capturing flags.
Lieutenant Kuder- Ne did, sir.
Corporal Harry Harvey, of Company A,
22d New York cavalry, transferred to the
War Department rebel battle flag. He
said he took it from q sergeant, who had it
hid under his coat, and who, with other
rebels was running away. al rushed after
him" said the sergeant, "put my carbine
to his head, and told him to surrender.
As he did so, he dropped the flag. IRsked
] two prisoners near me what it was. They
said it was isg. made the sergeant go
back, pick itup, and hand it to me. I took
him back with two others. They were all
eager to follow back Sergeant Harvey
is from Syracuse, New York.
Private W. CArmRn, company d, lst
New York cavalry, of Waterloo, Senecs
county, New York, in reply to an inquiry
of the Secretary of War, said that he had
been In the service about six months
HWell," remarked the Secretary of War
avou have done very well for the time you
have been in" Csrman stated that IN {
charge be Htook after squad of six or eighi
rebels, and told them to surrender. They
threw down their arms, and among thosl
who surrendered was the rebel who bort
this flag; took il from him, and took then
all to the rear"
Sergeant Daniel Kelly, company G, 81
New York cavalry, OF Grovelsnd, Livings
ton county, New York, said: aAs thre,
rebels were crossing a log over a creek, thr
flag they carried arrested my eye. ! tool
out after it; halted the rebels before the,
got across, and fred at them. They wen
back, and were goinz to throw the fsl
into the river. told the bearer I woult
certainly give him lead if he did that AM
he came back snd handed me the flag"
Sergeant Richard Bo1ry, company O, Is
Virginia cavalry, was the csptor of Tebe
battle flag st Charlottesville, Virgins
March s. he informed the Secretary ths
he entered the army in the three month
t service in 1861; had been s soldier eve
since, and lived at PArkersburg, Woo
! county, Virginia.
Q The Secretsry-I saw some Of your boy
. on parade st Ord's headquarters the othe
: day. They made splendid appearance.
r Sergeant Boury-We have some goo
looking boys sir.
The Secretary-No men in the Unite
States army have done better service tha
the West Virginia boys.