The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-02-28
The Governors Reply.

ATLANTA. Ga, February "a, 198s-Mr Hiram
Young, Editor Dispatch York. Penna.: Dear Sir:
General GORDON directs me 10 acknowledge the re
celll of your letter Of the 10Th instant, making in
quircs about the flag hich oated from the square
IN York when his command passed through that
city III june 1868, and rs IL SO happened that the
writer then connected with the com
mand that entered your beautiful city on that
bright sabbath morning he requests me also to an
swer, NJ far us ! can, your inquiry about the flag
the citizens OF York who witnessed the entry of the
coniederates VIII doubtless remember small squad
OF cavalry in advance, followed by, perhaps, fifty
Infantry, commanded by IL captain WHO deployed
his command as they advanced through the main
street, sationng sentinel Mt each cross street TO
prevent any struggling through the city. was that
officer, and remember distinctly the very large flag
which noated from the square the principal
street A courier, belonging to General Gordon S
escort, named William Beasley, assisted think, by
member OF my command, named A. i. Choate,
pulled down the flag ! caused it to be folded
aud placed upon the sidewalk instrueting the
soldier posted at that point to keep it and to place it
III the first wagon or ambulance which came along.
soon alter II had been thrown upon the pavement
young man in citizens dress cane up and asked
me II he might take the flag tromIthe pavement and
bold il until II was wapled. | told him certainly,
II he thought 1t would do him any good, ne might
tako II up and hold it. lie took the flag and stood
with it in his arms holding it in front f him. My
duties, as commander Of the advance guard called
me TO another Point, and left the young man and
the flag with the sentinel near the square. After
wards the flag was taken from him and placed in an
ambulance and brought away as trophy of the in
Nasion OF Pennsylvania 1t was, suppose. brought
back to virginia and sent to chmond; but of this
The young man above mentioned had scar of
some sort on his face and understood then. either
nom him or the sentinel that he was an exsoldier
one who had been discharged from the union army
after having been wounded in battle. With your
permission, will mention that we entered the
town, and when only my little band of infantry
Were in sight patriotic lady came out on the stoop
OF her house on our left rs We marched toward the
square, and in wild and vehement manner ex-
claimed: Il am ashamed of York, to quietly sur
render to forty or iny nasty dirty rebels, when
there are hundreds of able bodied men here to fight
them" assured her that there were several thous-
and just behind my little band, and that the men Of
York were not strong enough to stop their advance
few minutes later the 6ist Georgia regiment Tor
dered arms on the pavement rear this lady home
and with scream she suddenly disappeared slam
ming the door as She rereated into the house.
| trust the good people of York will bear witness
that the men of Gordon's brigade who passed
through their city on that occasion did so quietly
and orderly and without doing violence to any one
and without molestlng private property in any way
am very truly, W. II. HARRISON.
Formerly Captain Company L, Slst Georgia Rcgi-
ment Gordons Brigade.