Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-06-21
a MAaNAN1Mous AcT.
colors Captured During the Civil War.
Returned by Col. wa. Morgan, to-
the Regiment Which Bore them.

the Regiment Which Bore them.
June 7th, 1898, will be recalled by
Col. w. A. Morgan, as the date of
quite pleasant though pathetic oc-
casion. BY pursuance of previous
arrangement, Col. Morgan drove
over to the battlefield of Antietam
and met the 9th New York Regi
ment of Volunteers, to whom he
presented two guidons, captured by
him from the 9th New York. 1t will
be remembered by those who partic
ipated in the famous battle OF
'.Todd's Tavern" about Nay LIST,
1863 that the 1st. Va. Cavalry was
engaged in a midnight encounter
with the enemy. Under cover Of
darkness, things were much mixed
aud when the fight was over Col.
Morgan was in possession of three
silk guidons, one of which he pre-
sented to the ajutsnt, Geo. Phreanor
afterwards killed) and the other
two he carried to his home, where he
draped them on the walls of his
hallway, where they have hung for
thirty years Not one of the 9th
New York could have priced these
guidons more highly or guarded
them more carefully than this brave
and noble warrior. who only waited
for time and opportunity to restore
them to their owners.
A few years ago Mr.. Chas. M.
Smith, of Worchester, Mass, called
at the home of Col. Morgan, and re-
cognized the guidons as belonging
to the 9th New York. Arrange
ments were than made for Col.
: Morgan to come to New York City
and present these flags to the 9th
r New York, but Col. Morgan. whose
modesty is as famous as his courage
and gallantry, and but for which he
Y would have held one of the highest
positions during the civil war, re.
fused to go to New York, knowing
how royalty he would have been re.
ceived and passed around on "sil-
yer salver," as it were. He preferred
v to enclose the guidons and send
them to the 9th New York, or to
quietly meet the commander and
; present the hags.-this last was done.
Tuesday, committee composed of
o Col. Easton, of Mass; MOTOR Hew.
r lit, of Mo-, and Major Rostor, of
Boston, met Col. Morgan, who ad-
dressed them with few pathetic
words, we'll expressing the nobility
of his great heart and offering them
the right hand of fellowship, then
motloning to his daughter, Mrs.
Getzendanner, she advanced, and
, taking the gnidons from their wrap
pers, held them before the 9th New
York, who with tears stseaming down
7, their faces, at once recognized their
old guidons Col. Easton with elo
quent and touching remarks receiv
ed the guidons. All the gentlemen
of the 9th New York, expressed their
deep appreciation and gratitude for
the return Of the flags and proved
] themselves men of rare intelligence
and of great sincerity of heart. II
is an epoch to which Col. Morgan
who buried bitterness and animos.
ity when he laid kown his arms) car
always refer-with pride, in the
thought that he has performed g
generous act and one deserving the
praise and appropriation that &c
this noble soldier is most justly
/ due.
Col. Morgan had with him upon
y this occasion, a canteen that he car
: ried during the war, on, which he
Kept a dairy of all the battles and
skirmishes in which his command
, participated, numbering 137.-Shep
4 Independent.