Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1892-06-09
A HISTORIC FLAG.

A HISTORIC FLAG.
Revolutionary Memories Recalled ny the
Death of a Department Clerk.
There was buried few weeks ago
from ST. Matthew'S Church. in the
city OF Washington. in the dress of
St. Dominic. an order of which she
was u member hite-haired clerk
of the treasury department This
lady. round whom many historic and
romantic associations clustered. had
labored here for daily bread for four
and-twenty years. Born in South
Carolina. of distinguished Huguenot
parentage, lineal descendant of the
great Prince de Condo. on the fathers
side, and of q hero OF the American
Revolution on the mothers, she
showed herself no unworthy scion OF
her warrior ancestors
When the physician summoned for
her last sickness saw that it was like
ly to prove mortal says the Wash
ington Post he felt 1t his duty to let
her know her condition.
Madame he SAID. IF l was as
olCh do yOu are ouOulO Uc search
about myself"
II don't come OF that stock. was
the undaunted reply. lit was my
grandfather who chopped Off the
fingers of the British officer when he
took hold OF his bride reins.'
This incident occurred. as students
OF history will recall at the battle OF
tho Cowrape Tho rol NE,)l;,,, VIII
ington who performed this feat and
routed the British under Col. Banastre
Tarleton. was the grandfather of the
subject of this sketch. Histories OF
the time tell us OF the wit of some of
the fair colonial danes at the expense
OF the British colonel. On one occa-
sion Col. Tarleton expressed desire
to see Col William Washington. add
ing that he had heard he was so is-
norant that he could not write his
name.
If he cannot write his name he can
at least make his mark" was the re-
tort of the American lady to whom the
remark was addressed.
Col Washington. who was rela.
tive OF George Washington was by no
means ignorant as he had been edu-
Gated for the church.
On another occasion Col. Tarleton
expressed desire TO see Col Wash
ington. in rather a sneering tone.
This time patriotic dame answered:
IF you had looked behind you Col.
Tarleton. at the battle OF Cowpens, you
would IoI hot nj
Some time about the beginning of
the eighteenth century an English
gentleman crossed the ocean to south
Carolina for the benefit OF his health
He brought with him his only daugh-
ter Jenny. In few years this father
felt himself dying. and made it his
last request that this daughter should
not marry an American. Col. Will
liam Washington fell in love with this
Jenny Elliot and she favored his suit
The war was going on. and tie lover
represented to his lady-love that he
had no flag for his regimen. She
took her scissors and cutting out the
rich damask covering of one OF the
drawingroom chairs presented that
to him as his colors. He carried it
through the war; aud it was riddled
with bullets on many a battle. field.
Jenny Elliot rewarded him with her
hand in marriage. After Col. Wash
ingson's death the daughter OF his
faithful Jenny and himself presented
the flag to the Washington Light In
fantry. OF Charleston. S c.. who still
have it in their possession. During
the civil war great care was taken to
save this flag from the federal troops,
who were naturally DESTROYS of OBJ.
tanning possession OF such treasure.
AT one time it was buried. at another
it was sewed in the hem OF woman's
gown. In 1889 the Washington Light
Infantry carried this banner to Bos-
ton and its faded battle-torn folds
were unturled at the Grand Army en-
campment. This regiment has
erected monument over the grave OF
their hero at Charleston
1t has ever been the custom for the
regiment to salute the flag at parade
on Gen. Washington's birthday before
the house holding the descendants oil
Col. William Washington and Jenny
Elliot This custom was kept up till
the family moved on to Washington
city twenty-five years ago.
No Ont Nov