The Indianapolis journal., 1889-07-09

second noor known as the fresldents
room.'
The flags were spread upon the floor and
nearly carpeted it. One was very large
confederate flag Many were of exquisite
needle work, tastefully embroidered with
gold and silver and in varied and brilliant
colors, in which green, blue and red pre-
dominated. There were representations of
with the motto, memo Me Impune La
cessit.n Others bore the arms of Virginia
with the motto, "Perseverando.' but the
words Liberty and Union" wcre carefully
omitted. A fayorite inscription was "Sic
Semper Tyrannis'-familiar words both to
President Lincoln and General Scott, for
they were constantly sent to them with
anonymous threats of assassination-and
were, indeed, the words pronounced by
Booth on the stage of Ford's Theatre the
night he murdered the President.
Mr. Lincoln examined each flag with boy
like interest. How sad it is to think" he
said, that our Southern fellow-citizens, so
highly educated. and their women. so ac-
complished. as this beautiful embroidery
shows. should be so misguided. 1t is
the baneful fruit of their institutions and
slavery"
Then he had something to say in kind
II reckon, boys" he observed, that it
did not take you nearly SO long to win these
flags as it did the ladies to make them"
While the President was moving along
the rows of these captured trophies. fol-
myself, and talking familiarly about them,
Secretary Seward entered the room. The
chief of the Cabinet was evidently out of
sorts about something, and plainly showed
his annoyance. think the news received
from across the sea was threatening. indi-
eating the possibility of a recognition of
the COnfederacy by England and France.
At any rate, the Secretary was In any thing
but pleasant frame of mind.
What flags are these, Coloneli" he
They were captured at Rich Mountain.
Mr.. Secretary" l answered.
He gave the big confederate flag; which
happened to be nearest to him contempt
uous kick.
I'VE want newer flags than these" he
said significantly.
Colonel Marcy was too deaf to hear this
remark, and his back being turned did not
see Mr.. Stewards exhibition of irritation.
the Secretary of State walked over the
prostrate banners to where Mr.. Lincoln was,
and told him that he must see him at once
on the most urgent business. They with
drew to an adjoining apartment, and while
planned to Mr.. Nicolay, his private secre-
tary, the nature of my private instructions
from General Scott.
Joining us again, after q brief absence.
Mr.. Lincoln finished his inspection of the
Clellan'S representative:
Colonel Marcy, l am delighted to shake
hands with you. After passing through the
perils of battle, it would be natural if you
should desire to spend few days with your
family, who, understand from Colonel
Hamilton, are at Orange, N. j. Stay with
them. Colonel: SO long as your sense of duty
will permit. Then return to me and be my
guest here at the White House. Your visit
| finished, you will receive from me an auto
and his victorious army for the great
the Union"
The scene and all its attending circum-
stances were eminently characteristic of
Lincoln, and Colonel Marcy was delighted.
In the war of 1912 General Brown sent an
officer to Washington with captured flags
from the Northern frontier. He delayed by
the way so long that it was proposed in
Congress to vote him pair of spurs.
Colonel Marcy was not built that way"
Ever prompt in the discharge of his duty,
he soon returned and rejoined his command.
These incidents, with others already pub
lished, are advanced sheets, as it were, of
what i may style my "unwritten history