The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-03-31
Hero, Poet and Priest.
How Father Ryan Came to
Write ssThe Conquered
Banner"


thrilled the heart of the people of the
south as did the 'sThe Conquered Ban
uer" by Father Ryan 1t came from
the hearts of the poetsas the time when
ths southland stood 10 grief and uu-
told sorrow. Though bis face wore a
serious aud almost sad aspect be loved
to gather children about him as be sell
dom spoke to older people. He al
ways held that little children we're
angels that walked with God aud it
was privilege for priest to raise his
bands and give spotless childhood a
blessiog, writes Aquila, in Colorado
Catholic
It vas several years ago that Aquila
met with young lady from the south
who related to him the following beau
tiful and touching incident in the poets
lie. The little story is as follows:
"Ooe Christmas Il was then little
girl.") says the young lady, II came to
Father Ryan with book-mark-a pref
ty little scroll of The Conquered Ban
per. and begged him to accept it. I
can never forget bow his lips quivered
as be placed his hand upou my head
and said. "a little kindly remem-
brauce touched him SO
".Cail your little sisters aud | will
tell them story about this picture.
DO you know, my little children"
esaid as we gathered about his knee.
.shas people say that The Conquered
Banner is great poem? never
thought So" be said. in that dreamy,
far-off way so peculiarly his own.
..But poor woman who did not have
much education, but whose heart was
filled With love for the south. thought
so, and if it had not been for her. this
poem would have been swept out Of the
bouse and barced up, and | would
never have had this pretty book-mark
or this true story to tell YOU
"Oh, yon are going to tell us how
you came to write The Conquered
Banner" l cried, all interes. and ex-
citement
EYES," be answered. "and I am
going 60 tell you how woman was the
medium of its publication" Then q
shadow passed over his face. dreamy
shadow that was always there when he
spoke of the "Lost Cause" AID he
continued:
|. II was in Knoxville when the news
came that General Lee had surrender
ed at Appomastox court house. 1t was
pight and I was sitting 10 my room in
house where many Of the regiment Of
which I was chaplain we're quartered.
when an old comrade came in and said
to une 'All is lost; General Lee has
surrendered.
Il looked at hip. I knew by bis
wbiteued face that tie news was too true
1 simply said Leave me- and be
went out Of the room. I bowed my
head upon the table and wept long aud
bitterly Then a Thousand thoughts
came rushipg through ny brain. I
could not control them. That banner
was conquered, its folds must be fdrled
but it's story bai to be told. We were
very poor, my dear little children, in
the days of the war. looked around
for piece of paper to give expression
to the thoughts that cried out within
me. All that could 6ud was piece
of brown wrapping paper that lay on
the table about an old pair Of shoes
that friend sent me. / seized this
piece of paper and wrote ''Tte Coo-
ouered Banner" Then | went to bed
leaving the lines there upon the table
The next morning the regiment was or
dered away and | thought DO more Of the
lines written 10 such sorrow and Desc
lation of toe spirit on that fateful night
What was my as;ooisbmeut few weeks
later to see them appear above my
name 10 Louisville paper The poor
woman who kept the bouse in Knox.
vile bad gone as she afterwards told
me into the room to throw the piece Of
paper in the fire when she saw some
thing written upon it. She said she Sat
down and cried aud coping them sens
them to newspaper 10 Louisville Aud
that was how '.The Conquered Banner"
got into print. That is the storg of
this pretty little scroll you have painted
for me /"
"When get to be a woman. )" said
the young lady. 81 am going to write
that story
"Are you?" he answered. ''Ah it,
is dangerous to be writer. especially
for woman, but if you are determined,
les me give you name, /" and be wrote
OF piece of paper "Zoua" 'It is ao
Indian uame." be said in explanation.
"and it means snow bird You will
always remember, like a snow bird, to