The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-07-09
SOLDIERS AT HOME.
THEY TELL SOME INTERESTING
ANECDOTES OF THE WAR.
How the Boys OF Both Armies Whiied
Away Life In Camp - Forging Expe-
riences, Tiresoms Marches - Thrn1inS
Ecenes On the Battlefield
Confederate Battle Flags.

troops are now repOSing in an attic in
The top Of the War Department, but
came first to the care of the govern
nent in 1867, when they were deposit
ID in the old War Department on 18th
street. They were then about 800 in
aumber, 236 being recaptured Union
standards. These flags were obtained
from the commanding generals of the
United States armies and were cata-
togued and identified whenever it was
possible.
In 1874 part of the flags were
placed on exhibition in a museum in
The Winder building, but in October,
1882, all Of the flags were boxed up,
and by the direction of the Secretary
Of War they were stored in the base
nent Of the new War Department.
When it was found, in 1887, that the
flags were rapidly decaying they were
taken up into the attic, where they are
at present.
The fact that many of the colors Or
lginally deposited are not now in the
care of the department is easily ex-
planned by the fact that flags have
from time to time been returned to
their owners, applications being some
times made for them by Governors of
States or organizations. Nineteen
standards have been returned to Union
among those returned being one sent
back by Stanton. Prior to May, 1867,
there were twenty-one Confederate
aags returned, ten being taken from the
War Department by Stantons direc-
tons, and nine being taken out by in
structions which came from him in
directly. But since 1887 there have
been no flags, Union or Confederate,
allowed to pass out Of the custody Of
the War Department.
Some years ago an effort was set on
foot by an officer Of the War Depart
ment to return all colors to the regi-
ments, North and South, by whom they
were originally borne, but several in
dividuals became discontented at the
suggestion, and nothing ever came of
the movement. AS consequence they
have been little spoken of SINCE and the
department is unwilling to make any
move in the matter. In fact, the orders
are that no one shall be allowed to in
spect the flag room for the purpose Of
making any publication about its con-
tents, this step being taken to prevent
arousing any sectional feeling in re-
gard to the matter. AS a consequence
10 one is permitted to even examine
the flags for any such purpose, and the
Secretary Of War refuses permission to
have the colors photographed.
OF the flags returned to the Union
regiments which carried them, there
are over twenty, Pennsylvania having
received five for her troops, Massachu-
setts getting three, Michigan two, New
York three, Ohio two, New Jersey two,
Illinois two, and Vermont and Con-
uecticut one each.
Of the flags returned at different
times by request to Southern regiments,
there are twenty-five, among them be-
ing the Union flag which was taken at
New Market Crossroads by the Penn
sylvania troops, the Confederates hay
ing used it to deceive the enemy. A
great many flags were loaned out years
ago by officers, and, as they We're never
returned, the department is unable to
replace them.
Of the flags taken from the Southern
troops and now in the attic of the War
Department, there are about 25O whose
history can be obtained. while the num-
Der of Union banners recaptured and
identified is siXty-two. The room in
which they are kept is a narrow, light
and dry one, and the colOrs are standing
all about, resting against the walls,
some of them furled, while others hang
limp about the staff, all Of them being
torn, dusty, ragged and faded, and
often spotted with blood.
Other standards which have lost their
staffS are rolled into bundles and pack
ed away in holes in a cupboard, whose
doors are off from the hinges, and the
shabby little packages of dirty bunting
remind one of a junk shop-only the
realization Of what they all mean
comes to one so forcibly that it is hard
to believe that men once fought like
mad to possess the bit of colored rag
now lying in a dusty heap. The blues
and reds are too dim to be pretty, the
paintings are cracked and torn, the
stripes are coming apart, while the
tiny bits of stringy bullion still gleam
amid the furnished heap of former
glory The wood used for the staffs
is Of various kinds, while others are
pieces of broken sticks and broken
scantling, bound together by strings
and ropes.
AS no allowance has been given the
department with which to preserve the
flags, they will likely remain in the
attic Of the department indefinitely. If
any move were made to return them to
the South it would awaken the old op-
position from many Northern soldiers,
who fought so bravely to capture these
very colors. And if it were intended
toplace them on exhibition in some pub
lie museum, most of the Southern sol
diers would object to their flags being
placed On view as trophies of the con-
n1Ieref Sc the mana cement of the