Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-12-17

THE FLAG IS STILL THERE.-The battle
a4g Of the old Seventeenth Virginia regi
m4ut. which WAS recently loaned to a G. A.
p n1st in Boston to he exhibited, among
otber war relics. at a bazaar, and which it
uas feared had been destroyed in q fire in
that city, is safe and will soon be returned.
Tsppears that the fire in Boston last Fri.
1sy, in which go many articles were de-
.troyed, was in Everett Block, at HYDE
Park. where the Timothy Ingreham Post
ca7 holding n fair. The war relics from
this state, among which was the Seven
teenth's battle fl lag, were loaned to the Geo.
S.ooe Post, No. 6S. which held its fair last
week at horticultural Hall. This fair
rosed on Saturday night last, and no fire
occurred there at all.
When Grand Army Post 6S, Of Boston,
decided about two months ago to hold a
iair. their commander wrote to Gen. Edgar
Allan, ofPnil. Kesrney Post in Richmond,
skiing him to secure the loan OF several
Confederate battle Aags, expressing Especial
desire 10 have that of the seventeenth Viz
gioia, held by Il + Lac Camp of this city,
the carrying OF which IN the Richmond pro-
Cs.sion, October > h, OF the occasion OF the
unveiling of P.ckett'5 onums there,
caused the 'episode" Of which 80 much has
heeu written and said, some few of the vet
elsus OF the Philadelphia Brigade Assccia
ton refusing 10 march behind a "rebel Aag.n
Tai4 request was laid before Comrade Max
well T. Clarke, of r f. Lee Camp, of Rich
mond, and that gentleman succeeded in
procuring two or three Confederate flags,
among them the one especially desired from
ttis city.
When the flag was sent to Boston the fol-
loving letter accompanied it:
HEADQUARTERS r. E. LEE CAMP, G. w.,
ALEXANDRIA, Va, Dec. l, 1883.
II L Paige, esq Boston, Mass:
Dear Sir,-Gne request for the loan OF a
Confederate battle-ilsg, which you made TO
friends in Rcbmoud, Va, was submitted TO
ms camp, a. our comrades in Richmond
knew we had such a relic.
R,cogniZinS that the request could only
come from men familiar with the weary
mach, the exposure of the b%iVouac, and the
deadly shock OF battle" and approaching
the nobility OF the sons of Massachusetts who
can accord 10 us OF Virginia the same homes
~ Of purpose which moved them TO duty
ard 10 death, this camp, by unanimous con-
sent. Intrusls to your care g banner sacred
90 every nan who fought uuder lis folds.
Men 90 not war with each other from GEN.
iim,nt. or give their lives IN defence OF
mere wilkins, srd while The principles for
ch We respectively fought ale as widely
: pstaled as aFbitrameut of aruIo could eli.
e, 60. cur battle II % represents 10 u Of Ylr-
gsais nat for whlcn our deares; friends free
gave fcriuue. tom-. ard life, ard l. rs
-orat,d wiki deeds ol daring. ana d-ath
which makes US every thseed q page # his
tory.
Lake Pleasure, the cfore, 10 frNs1dirg
tie Matte f.g of he Seventeenth Virginia
infantry, Cotse's brigade, Picketts division,
Army of Northern Viieiuia, together with q
brief history, and trust that this act OF couti'
dence may serve to unite more li:miy the
men VITO, having looked into each others
faces over crossed bayoaets, are conscious
fhst each vas o foemsn worthy OF the Other;
and have recognized their common brother
hood and nationality and left on the field OF
battle the bitterness and hate Of the mere
'camp-follower.'
Very sincerely youra,
EDGAR WAKEFIELD,
Adiulent Il. f Lee Camp, Cpnled rae
N~.,.-aoe Alexandria Va