Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1894-07-28
CHORUS


The time when the Union troops
were attempting to force the Confed-
crate cavalry into fight near Hen
derson county, Tenn. our command
under General Sullivan encamped at
a place called Spring Grove. Before
we left camp on the morning of Dec
goth, l noticed quite a stir at head
quarters, and, knowing that some
thing unusual was transporting, I has
tened to the place to understand the
cause. The officer of the day. Col Cy-
rus L. Durham, was much excited. An
orderly came up from the guard line
on the road leading to the town with
the statement that little girl want
ed to see the commander OF the Union
soldiers.
Il shall not be betrayed by a little
girl who wants to get into our lines
to carry some information to the
enemy" said the officer.
she has something she wants to
give you, said the orderly.
Perhaps an internal machine of
some kind to hinder our march TO Per-
kins' crossroads, said the officer,
but make everything ready to move.
| will ride out and inspect the visitor.
l think l can tell by brief interview
what her character is. So saving he
mounted his horse and rode to the
point where the little girl was in
waiting for permission to speak.
We'll, my child said the big officer
what do you want to see the com
mander of the Union soldiers about?"
Please" said she, in. a trembling
voice, are you the general of the
Union army? My grandfather lives
over the hill on the other road: his
name is John Lucas and he is seventy
eight years old"
Interrupting her the colonel asked
what she wanted to give him? She
pulled out an old, much worn Arneri-
can flag and from it dropped letter
written on large foolscap paper. which
she quickly picked up and handed to
the officer. The trembling hand Of
old John Lucas had written it. The
colonel was so much affected by read
ing it, that he read it over again. 1t
was plain that his feelings were in
some way touched by the letter which
was as follows:
address you as an officer who r
fighting for the dear old flag send to
you by my little granddaughter.
could not think that anyone would
disturb one so beautiful and innocent
as she is or that you would refuse to
accept her Offering OF question her
motives. She ha helped me to pre-
serve the flag from the enemies Of orr
country. For two years it has been
my custom 10 hoist the flag on tail
liberty pole that stands before my
door on every Fonrth of july, on the
22d Of February and on the sth, the
day on which the battle of New
Orleans was fought ! participated in
that battle under General jackson. of
my own state. who said s.the union
shall be preserved / have lived a
miserable life since the rebellion com
menced. The rebels have twice at
tempted to cut down my liberty pole.
They declare that the old flag Shall
never be hoisted on it again. II will
soon be the sth of January, and unless
the rebels are conquered before that
time, / cannot fulfill my promise with
out shooting some OF my neighbors.
am too old and feeble to fight for the
flag alone. send it to you. the only
evidence can send you Of my devo.
ton to the union and the love Of the
old flag. Keep it to remember true
hearted, loyal, Tennessee. jackson
Democrat. If live to see the old aao
Heating over an undivided country. /
will purchase new flag and hoist Il
on my liberty pole -never to be taken
down until the winds scatter its
threads to the four wings of the earth.
If you can do 50, please call on me; If
not, farewell.
Signed, JONI LUCAS"
The colonel was so delighted with