Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1880-05-22
HONORs FAIRLY WON.

How:JohnlM arshall shot the Flag OFF
Lookout Mountain War Remi-
nisceuce.
1t is not known to many Day on peO-
DIE that one of her citizens, a quiet, I'M
assuming old gentleman.swhO is seen ON
the streets every day, as he takes his
quiet walks, drawing calm enjoyment
from his pipe, which he necessarily
smokes, was the hero of two brilliant
exploits that have gone into history.
The man referred to is John Marshall,
the veteran shoemaker, now in the de-
cline of life. which is rendered comfort
able by the pension his services during
the rebellion has earned for him.
For gallantry in action at Shiloh,
John Marshall was promoted to lieuten-
ant of artillery. How he saved Battery
M. Fifth Regiment, is matter OF record
i'm the war achieves at Washington. 1t
is not that with which this article has to
treat, but subsequent and even greater
exploit.
it various times and places one of the
Journals young men had heard OF what
John Marshall did at Lookout Mountain
referred to, and 80 one day he made up
his mind to have the whole story from
the veterans lips. Accordingly, he start
ed out, hunted him down, and, corner
ing him, vowed he would give him no
peace until he had full and reliable
account of how he
SHOT THE FLAG OFF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN.
Mr.. Marshall is modest man.. He
would rather have not told the story;
but he is at the same time an 0Dnglng
man, and courtesy compelled him 10 ac-
quiesce. To give it in his own language
word for word, just as ne uttered III.
would be the most interesting way OF
relating the incident. but that Is impos-
sible.
Mr.. Marshall is veteran of the Eng
lish army. having served thirteen years
i'm the artillery. In those thirteen years
he had learned the duty of an enlisted
man i'm his branch of the service thor
Oughly. But to come to the story: In
October and November, 1863, HOOker's
army lay in the valley overlooked by
Lookout Mountain, which in the latter
month they so gallantly stOrmed. Right
ON the point of the prOmOntOry the rebel
signal corps had flag station establish
ed. From this point all OF HOOker's
maneuvers could be seen and lntelll-
gence Immediately telegraphed by means
of the signal flag to General Bragg.
Thus it will be seen that it was desirable
to shoot away that flag.
Across the Tennessee at MOccasln
Point the six ten-pOund Rodmans and
the Eighteenth Ohio Battery were plant
ed. John Marshall was lieutenant of the
Eighteenth Ohio Battery. He could see
that Haunting flag Of the rebel signal
station as it waved its intelligence day
by day, and it tainted him. He knew
he could cut it down with one of the
ROdman guns; but his captain frOwned
on his presumption in pretending to
know more than his superior officers; for
had not General Brannan, Chief OF Artll-
lery of the Army of the Cumberland: said
that it couldn't be done? What business
had lieutenant to boast himself OF be-
ing able to do what the Chief OF Artil-
lery had declared officially could not De
For that flag had annoyed others be-
sides Marshall. 1t annoyed those mgn 10
authority so much that, at the instance
of General Hooker, General Brannan,
Colonel Barnett and Major Mendenhall
came over from Chattanooga with the
express purpose of ascertainlng II gun
could be trained from MOccasin Point SO
as to send shot that would humble that
haunting flag. They came to the unani-
NOUS conclusion that it was impossible,
on account of the great elevation.
John Marshall watched the estimating
with interest, and when the conclusion
was announced he stepped up, and touch
ing his cap in military style, said to
General Brannan:
General"
"Well, sir?
"If you will give me permission to try,
/ think / can shoot the flag OF there.
The general looked at him sternly
moment, and then said:
go to your quarters, sir, under ar
restp
But this was not the end. The Eigh-
tesnth Battery was attached to General
Whittaker's brigade, and bluff General