The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-09-24

if it was shutdown: it can't be much after
3 o'clock" and he looked up at the sun.
blazing high in the heavens.
The stars and stripes and the green
flag had been carried side by side in
triumph thus far throughout the day and
were now flying high together in the
fresh Southern breeze. Cen Sherman at
this time had the green flag lowered and
put away, saying: This is an Ameri
can battlefield; there is but one Ameri-
can flag" The force of the generals
remarks was appreciated. however much
regretted. and there was accomplishing
compliance. 1t was said at the time
also that the removal of the green flag
was due in part to the fact that it sub
jected the regiment to the special at
tention of the Southern forces. 1t made
a conspicuous mark. The stars and
stripes remained the inspiration for the
further work OF the day.
The rattle of distant and approaching
infantry firing and occasional cannon
shots passing Internationally close over
head caused Ricketts, Battery to timber
| up and make off at mad gallop to Il
better position and the G9th to fall in
quickly. Such of the men as heard the
private's remarks following Gen. Nc
| Dowell's announcement of victory were
at once OF opinion that shutdown was a
safer time to hurrah for the day being
won than the earlier afternoon.
Broken and breaking brigades in an
other part o." the field, and the arrival
of fresh Confederate forces, made it
| necessary 20 bring the Goth again into
action, and from that time until the fin
ish the Goth was under continuous fire
fortunately for the men, only sometimes
well directed. This change of position
was effected by a quick march over
broken fields, by the edge Of woods from
which the Southrons had been driven
and along n dry run that in storms ran
riotous with the heavy rainfalls that the
adjacent watersheds furnished. There
were a number of casualties during the
march-some men falling killed; more
wounded. In the course Of this march
the left of the regiment, finding itself
projected beyond the colors, began to
mark time.
why do you halt, boys?" called out
Thomas Francis Meagher. the acting
lieutenant colonel, who was riding in the
rear Of the marching column.
"'ro dress the line, sir" was the quick
response.
THAT'S right. boys. Forward" an
swercd back the future general.
The mark time" was at once changed
into the iaunty step. and the regiment
went forward. still under a heavy fire.
maintaining an alignment that would
have won applause on dress parade.
Meughcr was delighted with this eX-
hibition of GOODNESS and courage. and
cried out: Boys, | will never ask you
to do what | won't do myself" and he
at once placed himself between the
marching column and the fire which was
directed upon it. A solid shot knocked
over his horse. and Meagher for the
time. was hors du combat
The regiment was soon sent against a
fort and was halted just as it crossed a
sunken road and had entered upon the
field in which the fort was located. Sup
ports could not be found; the demorali-
cation and DISCRIMINATION Of the troops
had become general. The 69th was or
dered to retire. This retreat was effec-
lively covered by part of the extreme
left company, who, luckily for theil
comrades. had not heard the bugle call
and these forced back into the fort by
their wcll-dirccted fire the Southern sol
diers, who sought twice to sally forth il
pursuit
That day for the Goth was now pract
cally over. 1t formed a square later t,
receive and repel a threatened attack o
cavalry which never came. The 69tl
was soon afterward marched from thu
| field, leaving no National soldier behin'
and unmolested by any pursuing Con
federate. The march was continued Il
Fort Corcoran-a work on the Vireini
| side of the Potomac and near tn
Georgetown bridge--which it had con
, structed and within which it ha
!, camped before was begun this onto
Richmond" movement.
J Soon after dawn on Monday mornin
Gen. Mcdowell and his staff came alon
on a ,trot. and through the rain, .boun
] for washington. A bandaged and limp