The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-12-13
A WORTHLESS TROPHY,
And Story of a Game Bird That Couldn't
Fight.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: I learned
for the first time the other day at a Reunion
that flag of the 1G7th III. is on exhibition
at Libby Prison in Chicago, coupled with a
statement that the flag was captured by the
Georgia Tigers at the battle of Lenoir Sta
tion East Tenn. This was surprise to most
of the 107th, who were not aware that we had
lost fiag in any way, and who all knew that
no battle was fought there.
Thiswas explained by one of the comrades,
who stated that this flag, the first issued to
US, was of poor material; was so sticky that
the eagle and gliding were peeling off in
strips. 1t had been condemned and turned
over to the Division Ordnance officer who
had stored it In one of his wagons.
At that time we were carrying new flag.
This wagon, with near so others, was aban-
doned at Lenoir Station, not burned, as Com
rade Sefried stated in your issue of the odd
ult.. hence came the rebels in possession OF it,
Now, feel sore over the matter. Many
suggestions were made at the Reunion as to
means for regaining possession oft. Finally,
Capt. Al Blackford was appointed a commit
tee to interview the Manager of the Libby
Prison exhibit, and make some terms with
him looking to a return Of ii.
/, for one, care nothing for that flag; it
was in no way endeared TO us; we had never
carried it in battle. But / do object to the
false statement shown with it, Many thou
sands have seen this flag and read this state
ment. / know of no more conspicuous place
to put it or where the wrong done can be
more effectually righted.
/ think Sefried is mistaken in saying that
two companies of the 111th Ohio were left
on picket at Len0ir. One company was mine
III, of the l07ih Ill. We came out without
lOss, while every man in the other company
WAS taken prisoner. Just how we were SO
fortunate will reserve for future letter
We were the last ones out of that place.
Passing through the abandoned wagons we
found the spokes chopped out of the wheels,
but saw no evidence of any having been
burned.
On my way TO Clinton to the Reunion /
found the boys getting on the train at the
different stations. Some | could easily
recognize, others ] could not. One whose
face was familiar, but whose name / could
not recall, said his name was johnson. Say
ing let me see, / raised his hat, revealing a
well-remembered large lock of gray hair
that he sported at 20 years Of age. Yes,
said, this is Silas. Meeting him recalled an
incident which | related, and which he tried
10 make me promise not 10 write Tor 1HE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE, bat as he did not put
up anything don't feel bound to secrecy.
The close of the war found us in North
Carolina, in a country well supplied with
game chickens, which our boys bought freely
and pitted them for fights, betting on results.
Sias was the happy possessor of one that he
thought was the champion, and fully in
tended 10 take it home with him and stock
a farm in Illinois.
When we got TO Parkersburg, w. Va, some
small boys strolled into our camp, espied
Silas's bird, and remarked
That is game chicken"
eyes" said he; "got anything can whip
it?"
They thou hit they had, and at his re-
quest went for one, returning with COM
mon barnyard rooster, which was nearly ex-
hausted, they having spent all the time they
were absent in running down the fowl.
Without giving it time to get breath they
sat it down facing Sile's chicken, which it
soon demoralized Sle was so enraged by
the guying of his comrades that he grabbed
his game bird by the head, wrung its neck
off and soon had it in pot coolling.-WII-
LARD MUssoN, Co. ii, 10th ILL.,, Elk City,
Kan.