The National tribune., 1893-02-16


"HE following thrilling and very inter-
esiimg reminiscence relative to the
flag of the 4Sth Ohio was related to the
writer a short time ago by Maj. John
A. Bering. of Lynchburg. o., and is one that
would be read, ] think. with avidity by ali old
soldiers
zs;h Ohio belonged to the Fourth Division,
Thirteenth Corps. The enemy fell back before
the steady advance of the Union army until
the Sth of Aprl 1864 when the Confederate
Gen Dick Taylor according to his history OF
the battle, made a stand with the combined
forces of 10 Generals at Sabine Crossroads. To
match this overwhelming force OF the enemy,
Gen Banks sent our division, composed % two
small brigades. under Gen. w. ]. Laadrum,
numbering 24I3 men. AT the same time the
Thirteenth Sixteenth and Nineteenth Corps
went into camp within sound of our guns,
waiting TO see the outcome OF this unequal
contest
Gen. Banks was present when the battle
opened and for nearly two hours of hard and
stubborn fighting we held our original line,
and repulsed the repeated charges of all the
troops they massed on our front. We had
gained the victory and waiting impa-
fiently for orders 10 advance and reap the fruits
of our success, when all nf sudden a heavy
enffiading fire WAS poured into on our right,
which was followed rapidly by fire in our
rear. We attempted now to fall beck, but it
was too late. We were caught between two
lines with empty guns After trying III vain
to break Though the double lines that sur
rounded US, they demanded our surrender.
With no other alternative, the regiment rcuc
family threw down their arms and empty car
tridge-boxes and before the sun went down the
4sth Ohio 18th KY, nth and 18th III. regi
menis and Capt. Whites Chicago battery, num-
bering ia all about ]. 200 men. were on cur way
to the rebel prison, Camp Ford. near Tyler.
Tex, where We arrived after seven days hard
marching.
When the enemy closed in on us from all
sides and our color bearer. Isaac Scott, saw that
all was lost he tore our regiIHeatal flag from
the staff and gave it to his mess mate to con-
ceal in his harersack. When he received his
first rations Of corn-imeal from the Confederates
be covered the flag nth the meal, and IN that
manner carried il till he took sick and was
taken TO a hospital, where he WAS kept several
weeks. But through all his sickness he chung
to the flag, and after journey of $50 miles he
finally arrived at Camp Ford, and delivered
the colors 10 The officers of the regiment A
hole was then dug inside our shanty and in it
we buried that "emblem of our freedom" our
old flag. In the stockade were soldiers and
sailors who had been iu prison for nearly two
years, and when it was whispered about that
there Union 1as in the prison we could
not withstand the pleading of the old prisoners
TO let them get glimpse of the old flag. Time
and again it dug up from its hiding place,
and after statiouing guards around the shanty
TO give the alarm IN case OF danger, the old
prisoners were permitted TO 60 in and take a
look at Old Glory" as Gen. Sherman called |
the flag.
Col. A. J. \. Drganne of the 10th " " in /
referring 10 the incident, writes as follows:
=" have seen poor comrades in Southern cap |
tivity creeping out OF their hrts under the dark
ness of midnight, aud clustering together like |
rlaa foc rod hlaytr
kept day by day with jealous secrecy from the /
search OF rebel guards. And have seen those |
loyal and loving soldiers aud sailors, rough men !
though they were. with tears in their eyes and /
with swelling bosoms- pass the precious folds
of that cherished Old flag from lip to lip i'll holy /
communion of patriotism"
in tue meantime the prison authorities got |
an linking that there was Union flag in the |
prison. One day, unex pectedly, they marched /
a Texas regiment into the stockade and or /
dercd every prisoner out into line. After our |
line was formed they went through every cabin |
and silanty la the prison and dug up the floors |
with their iayoBefs. but they failed to find the /
flag We now bad difficult task before US
TO fnd more secure place for the flag before /
they searched the prison again: but We were /
equal 10 the emergency That night the flag
was dug up from lis place of burial, aud Capt.
James Sowry sewed it in the lining OF Capt. {
David Guusaulns's blouse. The following day
Suey ScaiEEea the PRISON Dut lesS ludi
our treasure was secure in its new place of con-
sediment. Tie officer wore the blouse for
more than six months among the Confederate /
quarts. but they did not suspicion what
precious charge TO keep" lie had.
At last, after seven long aud weary months |
OF captivity, the regiment was marched to |
Shreveport, and from there Ly boat to the /
mouth OF the Red River for exchange. When |
we reached the Mississippi River NC were met |
by Col Dwight, our Comm issi0ncr Of Exchange. /
He ordered Us on board the steamer ST. Mary. /
where brass band from New Orleans, and Il /
number OF ladies' wives OF Union officers were |
awaiting our arrival just Capt. Gunsauus |
stepped from the rebel steamer onto our vessel |
the excited soldiers literally tore tie blouse /
from the officers back. and hastily tied the flag /
10 a staff prepared Tor the occasion. At this |
signal the baud struck up tie air The Star /
Spanged Banner" aud the old flag Of the 4Sth |
Ohio, 10 the presence OF The Confederate /
guards. WAS unfurled to the breeze with waving |
of handkerchefs by the ladies aud the wild /
shouts aud ringing cheers Of the released pris- |
oners.
But no words of tongue or pen can express |
the emotions Of that hour. 1t was an inspiring |
scence that will never be forgotten. The Con- /
tederate Assistant Agent OF Exchange. Capt /
Birchetf. on his return 20 Camp Ford Prison, /
related 10 the prisoners how, in his presence.
the flag Of the 46ih Ohio WAS torn from the /
coat oil IA officer when they were exchanged al
the mouth Of the Red River. He said it was
one OF the most exciting scenes lie had ever
witnessed, and that the 4Sth Ohio deserved |
great credit for preserving their colors during |
their Imprisonment. Ii is the only regimental |
flag that went through a rebel prison during |
the war of the rebellion and escaped the /
clutches Of the Confederaies. 1t Was soon after |
deposited in he flag room of the State House at
Columbus, O. When it is required for Re- |
unions OF public entertainments il is placed In |
rhursr C.nff do Dnf.,
matt, O.-MILETUs GARNER, Wilmington, c..
AT CHA ELLORSVILLE
Col. HamIIn RepIies TO the Objections of