Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-03-29
LANSING MATTERS.


ticth Michigan regiments OF infantry.
II was the intention OF the representa-
tives of the different regiments 10 pat
the flags aside until their annual rcun-
ions. but To this were many objections,
from those who though that The recep-
tion of the flags into the capitol ought
To bee made ceremonial occasion, and
accordingly program rather dra-
matte in character was arranged. The
hall of representatives was filled with
m enthusiastic audience, scattered
among which were many gray-haired
veterans and their wives. The flags of
the three regiments. under escort OF
sixteen of the survivors Were brought
into the hall aud placed upon the
speakers desk. Congressman Thomas
ii Allegan related the history of the
flags from the time Of their recaplure
in Richmond. Va, and the legislation
which had secured their return To
Michigan.
\ thrilling incident of the war was
related by Major l.. g. Wilcox. who
very graphically described the signal
inc to Nashville of the advance of a
rebel force under Forrest, at the cross
inc of the Harpeth river. y detach-
ment of six signal service men were in
charge of the signal station. They
discovered the approach of the enemy,
and that their own retreat was cut OH,
simultaneously. a young Michigan
soldier mounted the tower of the signal
station, TO unturl the flag. apprising
the force AT the next station, several
miles away, of the rebel movement;
he had no sooner mounted the platform
than volley fired by Confederates on
the opposite side of the river laid him
low before he could raise the flag.
Then arose the question who would be
the next volunteer. Lots were cast:
Numbers from one 20 five Were written
on pieces of paper; the one who drew
number one was to 20 first. and the
others were to sacrifice themselves in
the order of their Lumber, il any who
preceded failed to communicate the
message.
When the man who drew number
one began to mount the platform. the
fire of the enemy was directed towards
him. Uumindfu OF his danger he
spelled out the message according TO
the signal service code. As the last
letter was spoken he fell to the ground.
Before the rebel force were able TO cross
the river the Union force advanced TO
the relief and caused the rebels TO re-
tire.
The comrades of the signalman res
cued him. He was slightly wounded;
seventeen bullets had passed through
his trowsers, nine had rent places in
his shirt, four had pierced his hat,
seven showed their imprint on the flag
staff, and in the signal flag which he
had waived aloft, one hundred and
fortv-three bullet holes were counted.
The man who faced death so un-
tlinchingly was but twenty years old.
HIS name is George W. Butterfeld,
aud he now resides in Bay City. In
speaking of his conduct the rebel gem
eral Forrest said He is the bravest
man this side of hell"
With such an introduction. which
worked the audience into a state Of sus-
pense and thunders of applause at the
thrilling conclusion, II is no wonder
that Lieut.. Gov. Mines was inspired
to speak of the record of the fields on
which the flags of the seventeenth had
waived, down to the time and circum-
stances of its capture at Spottsylvania.
Rep. Amidon of ST. Joseph discussed
eloquently of the flag of the Nine
teenth, and Judge Grant told the story
of the two flags OF the Twentieth, lost
AT the explosion of the Petersburg
mine. As each speaker concluded. the
veterans who had followed the respec-
tive flags. arose. and were greeted with
storms Of applause.
Gov Rich received the llags into his
custody with brief speech full of feel
ing. They will be placed with the
other flags in the war museum, thus
completing the the SETS of colorS which
led 30 600 Michigan men into battle.