The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-06-17
A Tale Of Lookout Mountain.

lSGN vi. iAlbi lNN 40 ~ ''osN'A va
record in the war archives at Washing
ton. 1t is not that which this article
has to treat, but subsequent and even
greater exploit
At various times and places one OF
the Journals young men had heard OF
what John Marshall had done at Look
out Mountain, and so one day he made
up his mind to have the whole story
from the veterans lips.
Mr.. Marshall is veteran of the Eng
fish army, having served thirteen years
in the artillery In those thirteen years
he learned the duty OF an enlisted man
in this branch Of the service thoroughly.
But to come to the story: In October
and November 1868, Hooker's army lay
in the valley overlooked by Lookout
Mountain, which in the latter month
they so CALAMITY stormed Right on
the point of the promon:ory tue rebel
signal corps had flag station estab-
lished. From this point all of Hookers
manGuveres could be seen and intelli-
gence Immediately telcgrsphed by means
of the signal flag to General Bragg.
Thus it will be seen that it was desiIa-
BILE to shoot away the flag
Across the Tennessee at Moccasin
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 the 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
Artillery of the Army of the Cumber-
land, said that it couldn't be donel What
business had lieutenant to boast him
self being able to do what the Chief of
Artillery had declared officially could
not be done
For that flag had annoyed others be-
sides Marshall 1t annoyed those high
in authority SO much so that at the in
stance of General Hooker, General
Brannan, Colonel Barnett and Major
Mendephall came over from Chattanoo-
ga with the express purpose of ascer-
tanning if gun could be trained from
Moccasin Point SO as to send shot
that would humble that haunting flag.
They came to the unanimous 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 Gen.
Brannan
General p
"Well, SIR
''If you will give me permission to
try, l think l can shoot the flag off
there !"
The General looked at hin sternly
moment, and then said:
600 to your quarters, sir, under ar
rest !"
But this was not the end. The Eigh-
teenth Battery was attached to General
Whittaker's brigade, and bluff General
Whitaker took more stock in Marshall
than did the austere Brannan. He had
a fellow feeling with him, too for the
flag was q thorn in the flesh to him.
Every morning he would take his glass
and look to see if the flag was still
there, and invariably as he took the
glass from his eyes a big, big D. cpl
tibet exploded wrathfully from his lips.
He was wont to talk with Marshall
about it.
Marshall" he would say, "you are
sure you can shoot down that ID
flag y
81 can, sir.
"But you know what Gen Brannan
says, Mars lall 2"
II de, sir. But with all respect to
Gen. Brannan, | maintain that | can do
it,"
One night Whitaker sent for Mar
shall to come to his headquarters. When
he got there be said {:
"Marshall, I've been TO Chattanooga
to-day, and I've signed my name to 5000
for you.
Signed 5000 for me; why, what's that
for, General T.
swell, sir, am going to have you
fry NJ that FLAG and General Brannau