Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-07-12

= Back over the sacred soil the old flag
takes us To the invasion of Pennsylvania,
and ON the rock bound ridge at Gettysburg
II stands between "Our loved homes and
wars desolation.n Here for three DAYS
its beauty Of outline is marred by ugly
scars and deep rents, but these only add TO
its glory and increase its moral grandeur
and as il emerges from that baptism of
fire and blood refined and purified, its
reflection is seen ON the top of Mount
Davidson, Nevada. Here was located a
station of the L. $. Signal Corps, and
while the battle of Gettysburg was going
on, the eastern front of Mt. Dawson, over
looking Virginia City, put in such f,lner-
al gloom that its outline could not be dis
tinguished from the dead blackness of the
heavens they rested against. This unac-
customed sight turned all eyes toward the
mountain, and rs they looked, little tongue
of rich golden flame was seen waving and
quivering in the heart of the midnight
away up ON the extreme summit. The
whole city turned out to gaze with batcd
breath at this one brilliant mote i'm the
brooding world of darkness. 1t flecked
and futtered like a candle flame and grew
wonderfully bright on tsblack background
IL seemed like a supernatural visitor; like
mysterious messenger of good tidings
Suddenly its glory shone ont and the peo
pie recognized the flag.
1t was the nations emblem, TRANSPORTED
by the departing rays of sun that was en-
tirely passed from view, and on no othel
object did the glory fall in all the broad
panorama of mountains and valleys. This
weird visitor winked and burned in its lofty
solitude, while the thousands watched Will
fascinating interest.
The superstition grew apace that this was
a mystic courier come with great news from
the east, the seat of war, and while they
looked, the telegraph announced the great
things this sinking sun had seen that day
in the east Nicksburg fallen, and the flag
victorious at Gettysburg.
Down the Shenandoah il follows close
upon the heels of the retreating hosts, Civ
ing and receiving in turn, till il accepts tho
issue at Mine Run. Back into winter
quarters at Beatton station, il leads us, from
which il energies to join the grand advance
under Grant in the spring of 1864. Acros:
the Rappahannock and Rapidan il goes
Torn and Scared, il moves through the
Wilderness, drinking up the blood of tho
ltll uiuOllE Nuoiu WIS our llllIN
and last colonel, Geo. w. Lombard.
Out of the Wilderness it comes at the
North Anna and pushes the enemy down tc
the peninsula, where il again waves over
our old camp grounds along the Chickahom
my. Through these swamps to the James
il leads, and ON to the defenses of Peters
burg. Here il takes an active part in al
the movements around that bcleagureC
city, and on the 10Th of June, 1861, its tern
Of service having expired, it gathers up it
tattered garments and with its handful o.
followers, starts for home, where wives
mothers, sisters, brothers await to give i
and they hearty welcome and fond en-
brace.
And over us, to-day, floats that beautiful
flag, hallowed by the prayers and tears o.
loved ones at home; baptized in the blood
of over 400 brave, noble men, shed on 81
battle fields,-consecrated on the altar OF
freedom and equality before the law. Strip
ped of its letters, it floats over us to-day an
emblem of the free, thing Of beauty and
a JOY forever.
90 banner triumphant
Though grand is thy story,
Well stamp on thy folds,
In this struggle to-day,
Deeds of our armies
Transcending in glory
The bravest yet chanted
In poetry's lay"
And let us, comrades, "belieyc with cour-
age firm and faith sublime that it will float
until the eternal morning pales in its glories
all the lights of time
AT the close of Mr.. Seages response
the comrades gave three hearty cheers
and the band struck up "The Star
Spangled Banner"
Prof. Haynes, of Hillsdale, was
then called to respond to "HIillsdale
College" and said that from the col
lege there were enlisted 1874 of her
young men. OF these, rs men are
sleeping in soldiers graves, to whom
he paid glowing tribute in eloquent
words. The toast "hard tack" was
happily responded to by comrade A.
B. lie Fleur. "Our Country" was
to by Dr. Waldron, whose
words were full of earnest, manly
feeling. The surgeon of the regiment,
DIR. Chamberlain, responded to the
sentiment whisky and Quinine" in
n witty speech, and was one of the
most enjoyable Of the day.
The programme was closed by the
toast Our Dead to which the band
with a dirge, the comrades
with uncovered heads.
About 20 of the regiment were
present, and the occasion will long be