The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-08-14
FLAG PRESENTATION
How Union roIonsi Turned the Tables
on Women.

on Women.
WIN Carleton's Magazine; During our
war the colonel of fine Union regiment
came to his general, in a high state OF
excitement,
General" said he, II was waited on
by two lovely ladies', this morning, who
wish to present a flag 20 my regiment
on the coming Fourth OF July"
AS the brigade was at that time quar-
tered in very hostile southern city,
this produced considerable surprise on
the part of the general; but he finally
said;
well, IL win be worth seeing; turn
out your regiment, and let the ceremon-
les go on"
When the famous day arrived, every
soldier was clad in his best, and the
colonel looked fairly Respondent In his
finest uniform, There was quite a
large number of spectators present. The
young ladies appeared. escorted by some
of their male friends, and were given a
post of honor.
One of them made speech, In which
she mentioned liberty as among the
choicest blessings In the world, and
extolled the conduct of our brave Rev.
dictionary forefathers, 1t was very
eloquent address, and was heard by all
with approval aud delight.
At It's close she uncovered and unroll-
ed the flag, and, with a smile upon her
face, said. sweetlys
Il now have the pleasure of present.
ing, slr, to You and your regiment, the
grandest and most characteristic sym
Dol of the liberty for which our fore
fathers fought, that has ever seen the
light of day"
She unroiied the nag, which, to the
unlimited surprise OF most OF those
present. proved TO be Confederate
one!
For moment there was an intense
silence. The southerners present did not
dare to cheer,however much as they felt
like 1t; the soldiers were sternty re-
strained by their natural chivalry to-
ward the sex,
The colopel's eyes flashed fire; but he
was man OF the world, and had been
an accomplished polIticlan before en-
tering the war; and, with gentle and
engaging smile, he advanced, and re-
celved the flag from the hand OF his
faic (and unfHir) guest. Then, in q
clear resonant, Fourth -of-July tone, he
responded:
Madame, you are my guest, and a
lady am the colonel Of this regiment,
which is composed ent'relV Of gentle-
men, MS well as soldiers, and, trust, ]
am deserving the same appellationc,
I'VE have listened with interest to
your views as to whl.h Is the symbol
most typical of freedom OF any in the
world. We docking at the cofors OF
the regimenO hold n different opinion
or we should not be here. We are glad
to know, too, that our views are gradu-
ally gaining ground. We have already
received In surrender several flags sim
and shall keep this as token, that AT
last, even the fair daughters OF the Con-
federacy have decided that their cause
Is hopeless one, and have commenced
captivating their celors-ealogizin
them, very naturally, as they so do"
The turning of the tables had been
accomplished so neatly that the crowd
cheered, In spite OF themselves; the
young lady, who had perhaps, harbored
an idea that she would be arrested, and
made a sort OF martyr, rushed away
in confusion and the colonel marched
his regiment back to quarters with n.y.
ing colors. He afterwards received n
merry note from his acquaintance of u
day, apologizIng for the trick she had
attempted to play upon him, thanking
him for the gentlemanly manner In
which he had treated her, and acknowl-
edging that he had the best of the incl
dent
During late visit to the Nashville
Exposition he enjoyed the pleasure of
meeting her-now handsome Colon
ial Dame"-and of laughing with her
over the Incident,