Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-07-14
moNons FAIRLY WOW.
How john Marshall Shot the Flag of
lockout Mountaln-A War Rent.
niscence.
fnrom the DAYTON journal. !

that one OF her citizens, n quiet, unassum-
ing old gentleman who is seen on the streets
every day as he takes his quiet walks,
drawing calm enjoyment from his pipe
which he inccwnntly smokes, was the hero
Of two brilliant exploits that have gonc in
to history. The man referred 10 is John
Marshall the veteran shoemaker now in
the decline OF life which is rendered com
! Portable by the pension his services during
the rebellion has earned him.
For galantry in action at Shiloh John
Marshall was promoted TO Lieutenant Of
artillery. How he saved Battery NJ,
Fifth Regiment, is a matter of record in
the war archives nj Washington, 1t is not
that with 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 did at Lookout Mountain
his mind 10 have the whole story from the
We terans lips. Accordingly he started
out, hunted him down, and cornering him.
vowed he would give him no peace until
he had lull and reliable account Of how
| he
SHOT THE FLAG OFF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN.
| q. Mr.. Marshall is modest man. lie
would rather have not told the story hut
he is at the same time an oblging man,
and courtesy compelled lim to acqniesce.
To give it in his own language, word for
word, Just as he uttered it, would be the
most interesting way Of relating the Incl
dent, hut that is impossible.
| Mr. Mnrsl,all is veteran of the En
glish army, having served thirteen years
in the artillery. In those thirteen years
he learned the duty of AN enlisted man in
his branch Of the service thoroughly. But
to come to the story. In October and No
vcmber 1868, Ilooker's army lay in the
valley overlooked by lookout mountain,
which in the lat er month they 80 gallant
ly stnrmed Right on the point OF the
prom ontory the rel el signal corps had a
flag station established. From this point
all of IIooker's maneuv ers could be seen,
aud intelligence Immediately telegrnphed
Ivy means Of The signal flag to General
Bragg. Thns il will lie seen that IL was
desirable to shoot away that flag.
Across the Tennessee at Moccasin Point
the six ten -po,ind Rodtnans of the Eigl-
teenth Ohio Battery were planted. John
Marshall was Lieutenant of the Eighteenth
Ohio Battery. He could zee that faunt-
ing flag of the rebel signal station as it
waved its intelligence day by day, and 1t
taunied him. He knew he could cut it
down with one Of the Rodman guns; but
his Captain frowped on his. presumption
in pretending TO kno W more than his su.
perior officers, for had not Gen. Brannan,
Chief of Artillery of the A rmy of the Cum
berlaud, SAID that it couldn't be done
What business had Lieutenant to boast
himself of being able to do what the Chief
of Artillery had declared officially it could
not be done
For that flag had annoyed others besides
Marshall. 1t annoyed those high in au-
thority so much that at the instance OF
General Hooker, General Brannan, Colo
enl Barnett and Major Mendenl,all came
over from Chattanooga with the express
purpose of ascertaining il gun could be
trained from Mocasin Point so as to send a
shot that would humble that taunting flag.
They came to the unanimous conclusion
tn, { it was impossible on account of the
great elevation.
john Marshall watched the estimating
with interest, and when the conclusion WAS
announced he stepped mp, "and touching
his cap in military style, said TO General
Brannan:
"Generalw
Well, sir ?"
"If you will give me permission to try
1 think can shoot that flag off there |"
The General looked at him sternly a
moment and then said
"Go to yonr quarters, sir, under arres !!
But this was not tn g end. The Eigh'
teenth Battery was attached TO General
Whit ,ker's brigade, and bluf Genera
: Whitaker took more stock IN Marshal
than did the austeres Brannan. He had =
fellow feeling with him too, Tor the fine
WAS a thorn in the flesh to him. Every
morning lie would take his glass and look
, 10 see if the flag was still there, and invnr
iably Ms he took the glass from his el es
big, b ig D. epithet exploded wrathfull.
:, from his lips He was wont TO talk will
!, Marshall ahont it.
Marshall" lie would say, You arr
= sure you can shoot down that Id iig p"
: can sir"
But, you know what General Brannai
r says. Marshall?"
: do sir. But with all respect to Gen
Brannan, maintain can do il
One night Whitaker sent for Marshal
!. to come To his headquai t.rs. When h
= got there he said:
d "Marshnll I've been to Chattanooga Ia
d day, and Pve signed my name to $500 10
YOU"
i "Signed $500 for ME? Why what
o that Tor Geaeral?
a, "Well sir, am going to have you try n
!. that flag, and General Brannan says yo
d will burst n gun, and have gone securit
n to thcamonnl OF 5000, and tomorrow niorr
y ing you shall make the trial.
'e John Marshall went back to his quarter
y that night happy man. lie was now
'e have the opportunity to show that he conl
r. do as much ns he said. lie felt the hou
y OF his triumph approaching.
u In the morning after breakfast, Gcner
y Whitaker came down TO the point. Ma
I'd shall wns already there. His gun squa
'e were in perfect drill, for he had show
them 20 often how he wOnd do it il i
he only could get permission, and they M
ce taken so much interest that each man W
Is proficient in his part.
e. The General took his place where he con
MS watch the effort Of the shot He was
ir little anxious, "Now, Marshall" he sal
ct, 'be careful Don't you explode g,
~. and kill me, yourself, and half doz
ey men"
nd "Never fear, General" responded Ma
We shal, confidently. "pll hurt no gu
he Now watch where the first shot goes"
ed Everything in readidesS, Marshall pull
or the lanyard. Genera. Whitaker took I
glasses from his eyes aud said;
IL, TOO high, Marshall too high! 1t we
no a hundred yards above the flag"
he "Yes, sir, know that and the ne
nd shot will he fifty yards above it,"
he And the next shot was fifty yards above
zee Now, General, this Time III fetch Il
Aag,"
nh The gun doomed. General Whittak
de- looked and looked for the flag. At Il
eli he bnrsl0u "By---Msrshall she's gon
nts In his delight he forgot the dislinctit