The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-26
HE WAVED A FLAG.
Logan Really Carried n Flag at the
Battle of Peach Tree Creek.

Chicago Post.
Logan is depicted in the act of assuming
command of the Army of the Tennessee.
AS readers of history know, that engage
ment on the banks of Peach Tree creek
was one of the bloodiest of the war, ana
far reaching in its effects. Joseph p; john
ston, the willy had been relieved or COM
mand of the Southern forces. sherman
army had outflanked and beaten him at
every turn. Southerners said he was too
slow The task of reforming the dis
heartened confederates and crushing Sher
man was therefore Entrusted to the dashing
Hood. Under the new leader the spirits or
the Southern troops rose. Fired by pre-.
victory, they flung themselves with desper-
ate valor at the Union lines to retrieve IN
one blow all shermans s, army n aa won;
of the Tennessee. The brave McPhersoT
was in command. Logan was second IN
rank and at the head Of the Fifteenth Army
The battle opened little after noon.
Within an hour Mcpherson had fallen. The
Union lines had been broken the flank had
been turned and Hoods eager Iegions, in
spired by their aashing leader, were rolling
up the Army of the Tennessee like scroll.
Then wild figure burst on the vision OF
the disheartened boys in blue. Black
jack Logan came dashing down the lines,
mounted on his coal-black steed. Waving
a ragged battle flag snatched from the
hands of color-bearer, with head uncov-
cred, his long black hair streaming in the
wind, with eagle-like features, Illuminated
by the FIRE of resolve, and driving the spurs
into his horse as he shouted, Avenge me
death Of ,MGPherson boys loos ayen be ve ens
personihcation of victorious war.
That is the scene the sculptor depicts IN
when Logan shouted the words that in
spired that army of patriots to fight as only
Logan could inspire them.
The statue stands a base rising TWEEN
ty-four feet above Michigan avenue. IT IS
bronze and of heroic size. 1t was made In
three pieces. The horse is one entire cast
ing: the figure of General Logan is an
other part; and the flag which he carries
aloft in his right hand is the third. From
the base of the statue to the top OF the nag
the height is Is feet inches. 1t is the
largest equestrian statue in America and
the only equestrian work ever designed oy
of the horses withers is II feet inches,
to the top of General Logan's head Is feet
weighs SIPS pounds. The flag, which no
live man could lift, has a .l,2O0-pound at
traction toward the center of the earth, and
the bronze figure holds IT out in the right
hand with ease. The entire statue will put
a. 200 pounds f'lrden on its granite pedestal
The figure f General Logan is dressed
in the unfit, n and accoutrements of
major general He sits erect and bare
headed with his left hand grasping the
bride reins, and his right hand holding
the large flag. His sword and scabbard
hang at his left side. Just behind the sad
die and on anne side at the pommel
of the saddl d. pistol in it's holster
The model ne horse was found on the
farm of Jol r.. Logan, jr. 1t was a coal
black stalliOa. resembling one of the gem
erals favorltes. The horse is in an atti-
tude of restraint, his neck arched and his
head drawn almost against his breast by
the firm hold of his rider. His right foot is
raised in an impatient way and he seems
to bear out the biblical description Of the
war horse
In the base of the monument Is built the
crypt for the reception of the bones of the
hero The legislative act also provides that
the body of Mrs. Logan shall be laid beside
that of her husband
II may seem strange but during all TINS
time that St. Gaudens has been molding
his masterpiece, Mrs. John A. Logan was
never permitted TO hold In her hand a pho-
tograph of the projected monument. -.
Gaudens kept his design secret until the
to the monument commission.