The National tribune., 1893-10-26
MINNESOTA.
Read Better than Pension on page 8.
TORE DOWN A REBEL FLAG.
Maj. Isaac II. Brown, of Harrisburg, Pa.
Objected to Its Presence.

Maj. Isaac II. Brown, of Harrisburg, Pa,
Objected to Its Presence.
Maj. Isaac B. Brown, Deputy Secretary of
Internal Affairs at Harrisburg, Pa, is the man
who tore down the rebel flag that hung over
the Andrews locomotive in the Transport ation
Building of the Worlds Fair. He has the flag
in his possession. and is prepared for any con-
sequences that may follow. This is what he
says about his action:
" / belong to the Post Of the Grand Army of
the Republic at Cory, Pa that was named
after ]. ]. Andrews, the leader of the band of
81 Union soldiers who went through the Con-
federate lines in 1862, and at Big Shanty
Station captured the locomotive known as
"The General"
1.-THE old locomotive belongs to the State of
Georgia, and is now on exhibition at the
Worlds Fair. When passing through the
Transportation Building IN company with my
little boy, / happened to run across the loco
motive, and as the comrades of my Post had
always taken a great interest in everything
that pertained to the Andrews raid, gave the
locomotive q careful examination.
" / had not been there long before discov-
cred the Confederate flag in question, which
was attached to a staff securely fastened in the
steam-escape Of the locomotive. The staff,
should say, was six or eight feet long, and be-
ing placed SO high on the locomotive it gave
the flag most prominent position.
" made inquiry to ascertain why in the
loyal State OF Illinois il was permitted, but no
one seemed TO be able to explain. l did not
know who placed il there. for what purpose il
was done, or by what authority. did not be-
lieve that it was right for il to be there. The
more | thought of it the stronger became my
conviction that it was my duty to tear it down.
That afternoon / returned to the Fair.
There were a few persons looking at the To-
eomotive, but climbed up and deliberately
broke the staff off and took the flag down.
." have learned since that it is claimed that
the flag was simply hoisted as a relic. The
story is hard to believe, but even if there is
any truth in it We can get along without the
exhibition of Gny such relics. There are
enough Union soldiers with empty sleeves,
wooden legs, clutches, and broken cOnstitu-
tions to answer any reasonable demand for
relics. believe the flag was placed in position
In defiance of the patriotic sentiment that
ought 10 find a place in the heart of every
loyal citizen, and such belief impelled me to
take it down, which did on Friday afternoon,
Oct 6, 1893 at five minutes of 6 o'clock"
The flag torn down by Maj. Brown is of three
red and white stripes, with blue field contain
ing eight stars.
Maj. Brown served until the close of the war
in Co. c, 21lth Pa. He represented Erie County
in the Legislature three terms from 1851 to
1856. and in 1888 was, with Jerome b. Niles, of
Tioga, one Of the leaders Of the Republican
side Of the House. In 1887 he was made Dep
uty Secretary Of Internal Affairs under Secre-
tary Stewart, which position be now holds.
He is known as a bold. courageous man. not
afraid to do what he thinks is right at any and
all times. He is also President Of the Sur
vivors' Association Of Hartranft's Division,
Ninth Corps, Army of the Potomac He re-
turned from the Worlds Fair this week.