The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-12-02
Gen. Lee and the Flag.

notice an inquiry from the Rev. Will
lam Marfo-d Of Millersviile Postofifce. Md,
published In your paper OF yesterday, ask
ing information concerning the accuracy
Of ar incident which writer on this side
OF the ocean furnished 10 the Pail Mall
Magazine as having occurred with Gen.
Lee in Chambersburg, Pa. and which is
calculated. Il accepted as correct, 10 give
those who never knew him an erroneous
impression rs TO the nice sense OF dignity
which, even on trivial occasions, character
lied the great Confederate leader. / feel
impelled to give q correct statement of the
incident because il happened that took
small part in Il, and I believe myself TO
be the only Confederate who was so cir
cumstanced as 20 be able to know positive
ly that ne saw and heard al that occurred.
As General Lees army passed through
Chambersburg. going along the main thor
ouShfare, and net through any narrow
street, soms women here and there at shop
doors and windows were disposed to be
sarcastic. If not insui,ins. But the soldiers
were in their usual amicable mood-many
OF them had had full meal of Pennsylva-
mia bacon that morning. which no doubt
MADE them particularly amiable-ald they
laughed at the gibes and taunts directed
ct Ties miserables' so good naturedly that
even the most spiteful shrew among the
women could hardly hold on to her III tenn
per against the witty, but courteous. if
sometimes sarcastic replies that were fired
back as the men tramped steadily for
ward.
After passing through tie center Of the
city, we came to a large building on the
left hand-the side of the street on which
We were marching-wh:ch had lawn with
handsome shade trees IL front. The stree,
had been graded down and the lawn was
some six feet or more above the sidewalk
and supported by a heavy retaining wall.
surmounted by substantial railing. A
number Of handsome, weli-dressed young
ladies' were leaning against the railing,
and waving the Stars and Stripes over the
heads OF the soldiers as they passed below.
Having some curiosity to know how the
refined people Of the country would deport
themselves under the circumstances, and
also desiring to be an unobserved observer
of the frolic which both sides were max
ing, placed my back against the retaining
wall and let the troops drift by There was
an increasing fusllade of wit and repartee
as the young ladies' would order you saucy
81
now and then, the young men would make
vigorous leaps UP to capture it, or else
spring into the muddy street and pass
around IL, with a threat to flank the
beauty battery" and take II by charge
in the rear. The young ladies were en-
joy:ng the fun greatly, when one Of them
called attention to the handsome old officer
approaching in the distance on a gray
horse. All eyes were turned in that direc-
one of them said: 81 know that he's a
gentleman, and I'm going to make him sa-
lutte the flag. If he does, he'll be the
NINTH
When Gen. Lee, riding in the middle Of
the street, had arrived within fifty feet Of
the party, the flag was given several extra
until it tapped upon the muskets Of the
men passing below. The manoeuver was
successful. It attracted Gen. Lees atten-
ton. and, turning his face toward the
young ladies with a benignant smile, he
took his soft felt hat by the crown with
that slow majestic motion, which so many
Of his young officers yainly essayed to i'm
itate, and raised 1t few inches above his
head. He had passed. and covered his
head. and the young ladies were taking a
rear view of his side face before the ST.
lence which had ensued was broken by
EXPLANATIONS Of admiration and of surprise
as to his identity.-Col. n. ]. Floyd, in the
Lynchburg Va,) News.