The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-07-01
The First Flar I'm Chattanooga.

To TIE EDITOR: have been quite inter
ested in the articles on that First Flag in
Chattanooga" At the time Of the capture Of
Chattanooga was at Gen. Woods headquar-
tiers, and well remember with what chagrin We
allowed the 92d H. TO take the advance. i,
with one or two others of the escort, were so
anxious to be among the first in the city that
we fell in with the 92d and went in with them,
and what was my surprise on entering the
town 10 find members of my of own regiment
9th Ohio already in possession. Now, while
not wishing to detract one iOta from the we'll
earned fame of the gallant 92d Ill, was so
sure that to the 9th Ohio belonged the honor
Of having the first flag in Chattanooga that 1
have written to Craig Jackson, Co. c, 9th Ohio
for the particulars, and now give you the facts
in his own words. He says:
Gen. Wagner called for volunteers from the bri-
gade who were good swimmers 10 cross the river
and drive out the rebel sharpshooters which were
left 10 keep us back Murray Hossom. Jake Kraps
and myself The volunteers from Co. @. We
reported to brigade headquarters, where we Joined
the Others that had volunteered. and were put I'M
der the command OF officer and marched from
the foothills down into the valley, where we were
Joined by part of battery. We were here deployed
skirmishers and skirnished forward 20 the river
bank when received orders 10 halt for the night
IL was then too late TO attempt TO cross over.
Hossom, Kraps and myself stayed together that
night, and just Ct daylight heard a noise in the
wafer, which we ascertained was caused by an old
darby in a canoe. Calling him TO shore we three
got into the canoe with him ana crossed over INTO
Chattanooga, where we were met by n large num-
Der of citizens white and black. All wanted 10
shake hands with us, and one man presented me q
belt which he said left at his house by rebel
soldier not an hour before.
There was an old ferry boat lying at the wharf
that was formerly run by horse power, and we got
some of the darkies TO help work it, and crossed TO
the north side of the river where we took on board
our colors, with Co. c, and think Co. III, and
crossed them into Chattanooga and the entire bril-
gade was afterwards crossed in the same manner.
Amer the regiment had crossed with several more
of the boys down at the railroad depot, when
some officers came up aud asked what command we
belonged TO- On being told they said they did not
know any troops came in from the north side ldont
know who they were; but as 10 swimming the river,
there was none of il done, and know we three
We're the first Yankees to enter that Confederate
stronghold and the colors Of the Eth Ohio was the
first flag unfurled in the city.
Now, Mr.. Editor, think this plain state
ment from enc who was thar" should put an
end TO the controversy, and feel that the
boys Of the 92d Ill. will freely forgive us for
claiming our own, las they know how it is
themselves, as every regiment, company, and
soldier is anxious to have all the honor accorded
70 them TO which they are justly entitled.-CY
CRIsMAN, Minneapolis, Mimi.