South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1868-04-24
SERGEANT BATES.

" 49," 'VhSourg, 4hloS carrying tue
U. ). Flag, with the linton ton of walking
TO Washington city, to show that he could
carry the flag through the Southern States
without being molcsted. He was kindly
received and treated at every city he pass
| ed through in the South, but when he
reached Washington on the 14th instant,
bearing the U. S flag, and "clme to the
door ofthe Capitol of the L. s., he was refused
admission by a burly chief Of Capitol policee,
who professcd to be actingunder orders from
the Senate. 1t is remarkable that while
Sergeant BATES aud his flag, and the white
men with him, were thus esiopped from en-
tering even the rotunda Of the Capitol. more
than hundred negroes, who had followed
the procession, were allowed TO enter the
precincts without question. The Sergeant
then carried his flag and set it to the breeze
from the Washington Monument, when sey
eral speeches were made and the congratu-
lations Of his friends received
On the 10Th, Sergeant BATES called M
on the President to perform what he con-
sidered very agreeable duty that duty,
he said, as stated by "DATA," the Wash
ington correspondent of the Baltimore Sun.
was to deliver to the President the kind
messages for the chief magistrate of the ma
tion which he had received in the swamps
and in the woods, along the stretches of pine
forest through which his route now and
then lay. At The lonely farm house and in
the villages, cities and towns "Tell the
President" said grny-haired man, 1--WE
are praying for him." "Say to him." said
hundreds "Gcd bless him" MANY. very
many, begged the Sergeant to tell the Pres
ldent that their hope was that heaven would
bless ANDREW JOHNSON in his efforts to
secure their rights sin the old Union"
"At Richmond, Virginia" continued
Sergeant BATES, IA fine looking old lady.
pushing through the crowd came to me az
was making my way out of the city. and
with the tears cnursing her checks. said. as
she took my hand, s'Tell Andrew Johnson
that he has the earnest prayers of the ma
irons of Virginia for his welfare and happ-
ness" Gray haired men. trembling with
age, invoked upon President Johnson Heay
ems blessing"
Just beyond Montgomery, Ala, my flag
was decorated with flowers and laurel
wreath by young lady, who said to her
mother, as she returned to my colors. 'I
wish | could send by Sergeant BATES bo-
quct to President Johnson" They would
dismiss schools IN meet me, and MANY Of
the little girls would want to kiss me and
to wave my flag, My rooms have been dec
Grated with evergreens, and in North Coro-
INA girls strewed my way with flowers and
pinned bouquets upon my breast.
I'm passing through North Carolina md vir-
p'hla mad bouquet in nv hand every bour of
tne day. honestly believe, sir that in every
nia'e through which | have passed in nv long
Journey could raise thousand men for tho de-
!eHse OF the flag as quickly ms could anywhere
Ia inc entire Union. ] have taken bv the hand
dozens Of ex-Confederate soldiers whose yarn,
grasp, quivering lips and moistened ewes could
hot lie In Georgia, for instance | met n man
VINO mad served in the rebel nrmies and who had
oeeh watching for me along the road lie had
.eeh engaged in chopping wood. accompanied
nltn 10 his home, distant about two miles On
the wav he told me that the grave Of his bro
thcr who had fallen in the rebel cause was not
lHr from the roadside. went with him TO the
spot he stood upon one side Of the grave
upon The other. plain wood head board marked
the place, and rs was readinr the inscrintiop no
asked why such n bad state Of feeling shonId CON
unue 10 prevail, reaching his hand over the grave
OF his brother. ! clasped it, and will any one say
did wrong in taking by the hand ono against
whom had fought, but who now was willing
to stand by the good old flag
"ln North Carolina met an old man who had
served in the rebel forces. lie was unite old for
one who, but short time since had IN -ried a e,pr
6knapsack. The poor old man during the war had
lost twosons and n son-in-law, his only supports
II was eight miles To the Catawia the brid re over
which had been destroyed by Steedman. II had
been rebuilt: was very high and had 10 cross
This old soldier took such interest in me- had
stopped over night in the house where he lived
that lac went with me to the bridge and led me o.
yer for fear ] might fall and burt myself
'Betweeu Selma and Montgomery. in Nobs
ma, went 10 an elegant residence occupied bv
gentleman named White, on plantation called
White Hall. Mr.. White himself came 20 the door
Ny flag was uniurled but he did not know me nor
had he heard Of my singular journey lie how
ever. warmly welcomed me- and rvpIaino5 bo,r
had come To- seek shelter mn Ter his roof During
the war. he told me, Wilson had assoc through
that country and destroyed all he bad During q
talk of two hours there was hardly a moment
that his eyes were not mostencd with tears In
the morning found my Aag decorated liz bis
daughter with wreaths If lnurel and flowers TIo
went with me on my way about mile. and e.
nally said he would have 70 leave me ! took him
ny the hand. 4 gentle breeze was blowing and
The flag held in my left hand was fving Tho
oid man tired to bid me gOOd-by. but he broke
down, and for minutes wept like n child"
~ TIE request oi ihe President the sergeant OK
planned The circumstances under which he had nm
dertaken the long journey he has just concluded
Persons, said he, made assertions which be-
Hevcd 10 be both foolish and unfouudcd Econ-
radicted them, saying that did not care for their
individual opinions, but ne perhaps thousands
believed ne they did. J would make proposition
that 81 carried out, would disprove their theory
thcreupon made an offer 10 do what have done
did not ihink my proposition would be acrcpt-
Cd, nor did Tho principal person If those 90 whom