Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-06-15

AFTER u6nvcring the message he
said II was proper for him 10 send the
flag, and as he had no staff officer with
him begged me TO take It. We agreed
that the best direction TO take the flag
was to heavy column Of artillery
then pressing on his left flank
AS started Off | was Joined by
Maj Brown, Of his staff | rode
through Gen Gary's dismounted cav.
airy, VINO were holly engaged with tho
enemy.
Upon reaching the enemy was
met by Lieut. Col (now GEM Whitaker
and major Col Whitaker advised
me to go to Gen. Custus, whose col
umn Of mounted cavalry was just then
passing to the rear Of Gordon's left
flank.
1--WE put spurs and in n few moments
reached the head of the moving col
umn, where found Gen. Custus. lie
asked me who was and what | want
ed. l replied that was an officer on
Gen. Longstreets staff, and was the
bearer Of message from Gen. Gordon,
who desired q suspension of hostilities
until Gen. Lee could he heard from,
who had gone down the road to meet
Gen. Grant
Gen. Custus said: we will listen TO
no terms but those Of an unconditional
surrender. Our people are now behind
Jones'
~ replied: 4 don't think we will sub
init to that, but will take your message
back to Gen. Gordon, and II you wish
TO send an officer along with me you
can do So
"lle directed Col. Whitaker and the
major, whose name | have forgotten,
TO accompany me. Upon our way back
TO our lines Col. Whitaker begged me
| to give him the towel which had
used on this occasion AS n flag Of truce.
This percmptorily and emphatically
declined, telling him that would not
allow him for any consideration TO pre-
serve IL as "a memento of our humilia-
ton.
Upon reaching Gen. Gordon, he was
being hard pressed in front and on
his right, and he begged me to take the
flag TO another part of the field | told
him that could not do so, rs must 20
10 Gen. Longstrect, who would prob.
ably need me very soon, as Gen Custus
said he would proceed to attack; be.
sides, said, you have n member OF
your staff, Maj. Brown, with YOU
Mai Brown asked me to loan him
the towel told him would do so on
condition that he would not allow the
federal officer to get possession OF II.
when returned, In the afternoon
Mai. Brown told me that Col Whitaker
asked for the towel to display US flag
of truce as they rode into the fedora
lines together, fearing, he said. thai
they would he fired upon by the fed
erals. As soon as he reached the fed
eral lines he rode OF, mixed up will
other officers and men, and he coul(
not be identified.
THE towel afterward was given /,
Gen, Custus, and Is now In possession
Of Mr.. Custus, Of Monroe, Mich. II FIRE
quently hobs up at the different ma
tional fairs and demonstrations Of tn,
grand army as trophy and relic.
II rode from Gen. Gordon to Gen
Longstreet directly and hurriedly,
found Gen. Lougstreet and Gen. Custu
talking together ut little distanc
from the staff ] heard some allusiol
made by Gen. Custus to the message
delivered
81 walked over TO them and begge,
TO correct Gen. Custus, that did no
tell him that was the bearer OF
message from Gen. Longstreet, bu
emphatically that | came from Gen
Gordon. Each said that he understood,
that
AS walked Oft heard Custus say
Il will proceed TO attack at once an,
LongstTcot replied; As soon as yol
please.
''The attack was not made and Their
was no more firing or fighting. IN. Q
Times Democrat.