The National tribune., 1886-06-17
A SACRED RELIC.
Return Of the Blue Field Flag of the 4rs. Ill.

Return OF the Blue Field Flag Of the 4Ist iii.
To THE EDITOR: The 18th day of July,
1858 years ago,-was a sad day for four
regiments Of as brave men as ever fought on
any battlefield Vicksburg had fallen, and the
triumphant army under Gen. Grant, headed by
Gen. John A. LOgan's Division, entered Vieks-
burg July and unfurled the Stars and Stripes
from the courthouse Thrty-fve thousand
Confederate troops had surrendered, with a
vast amount of artillery and small-arms, but
Gen. j. Z. Johnston had gathered some 10000
more troops at Jackson, the capital of Missis-
sippi. TO undertake 10 raise the siege. Gen. w.
T. Sherman, with several divisions of the army,
was sent TO drive the Confederate forces from
the State.
On the 11th the Union troops closed around
the city. The Fourth Division Of the Thir-
teenth Corps, commanded by J. G. LAuman,
was ordered to move up the space between the
Mississippi Central Railroad and Pearl River.
The Sd Iowa, 2Sth, 4lst and SD III. were Sc
lected, under command of Col. j. G. Pugh, to
drive the enemy out Of the woods and close up
on Gen. Hoyey's right wing. The column had
gone to the edge Of the open field in front of
the rebel works, when Col Pugh ordered halt.
Gen. Lauman directed him TO move forward,
and the column started on toward the rebel
works with tremendous shout, having some
thing over half mile 10 go over all kinds Of
ton Of the 5th Ohio battery followed US up on
the charge until they were close to the enemy's
works. Every horse was killed and most Of
the men. They received complimentary note
from the commander Of the rebel artillery for
their bravery.
The infantry column moved forward in
splendid order, but soon the work of death
commenced. The whole Confederate line, with
the artillery, opened upon us, cutting those four
regiments down until they would not have
made one. Some went on and over the works
and were made prisoners. Over tWo-thirds Of
the men who went on that charge were killed,
wounded or captured.
Col. Pugh, as soon as he could make his voice
heard above the din Of battle, recalled the men,
but it was too late for many brave boy who had
given his life for the Union and the flag. Out
Of 30 men who went into that charge in the
writer's company, 81 were killed, wounded or
taken prisoners. It was the saddest day Of the
war to the members of those four old regiments,
who had fought at Fort Donelson, Shiloh,
Hstchie River and Vicksburg Col. Earl, of
the SD ILL.,, was killed; Maj. Frank VI. Long,
of the 4lst H., was mortally wounded and died
at the rebel hospital; besides long list Of OFF,
GERS and men killed and wounded The flags
were targets at which the enemy directed their
fire, and many times they were shot down. The
blue field flag of the 4lst Ill. was shot down five
times, and five Of the color-guard killed and
WOuuucu IL Was Oull ltlL ClUoC up 10 tue enc
my's works when the hands that bore it were
clasped in death and the regiment slaughtered.
The National colors were borne by Serg't III. NJ.
Steaver, OF Co. A, and with the stah shot in two
and the cOlors torn and shot full Of holes ne
brought il off the field. His escape seems almost
miracle Several stands of colors were cap
tured, and, like those of the SD ILL.,, their
bearers lifeblood stained the flags.
This assault was a fearful mistake. Gen. Lau-
man was Immediately placed under arrest, and
Gems Ord aud Sherman said he was to blame
while he c0ntended it was not his fault. He
was sent 10 his home in Iowa, where he re-
mained until his death. The flags were sent
to Richmond, Va, as trophies and at the sur
render OF the Confederacy were taken charge
| of by the War Department at Washington.
/ The Secretary Of the 4ist Ill. ascertained the
banner OF his regiment was at the War Depart
ment, and wrote the Adj jutant- General, without
| giving any OF the circumstances under which
| the flag was captured, requesting the return of
the banner. He received the following letter,
which will fully explain the return of this
| highly priced banner, under whose folds many
a brave boy lost his life at Donelson, Shiloh,
| Vicksburg and Jackson:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
| ADJUTAST-tiESERALs OFFICE, :
| WAsHIEGToS, March "a 1886 J
| The Governor of the State of Illinois, Springfield
| ILL.,
SIR: have the honor, by direction Of the Secre-
tary Of War, 10 acknowledge the receipt of a COM
munieaiion from Il. 4. Lee, Secretary. 4lst Ill., of
Cerro Gordo, ILL.,, requesting the return of "A blue
field Nag beoging To that regiment, alleged to have
been captured by the enemy Ct Jackson Miss, July
II, 1868. and now IN custody Of this Department.
The regimental aud other records filed in ts office
fail TO furnish any specific information to the cir
| cumstances under which the flag in question was
captured by the Confederate troops but the 4lst
i'll. gallantly participated in the assault on the
1 enemy's works at Jackson Miss, on the 18th OF
July, 1868, losing that occasion 40 killed and l22
| wounded II IL quite probable the flag was lost on
| that day under circumstances not discredtable to
! the regiment.
IL therefore affords the Secretary of War much
| pleasure 10 comply with the request Of Mr. Lee
and acting under Instructions, have this day
caused the flag Of the 1lsi III. 10 be forwarded
you by express for transmission TO the Sec
retary OF the regiment for preservation. / have
To request that you will be kind enought 10
acknowledge the receipt OF the flag.
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant
lsigned) X. T.. DRUM,
Adjutant- General.
trust, after reading the above account, the
Honorable Secretary Of War and Adiutant-
General will be satisfied that the circumstances
under which this banner was lost were not in
the least discreditable.-E. Il. LEE, Secretary
41st H., Cerro Gordo, Ill.
Fortify yourself for the diseases peculiar to