St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-04-05
Patriotism and the Flag.

A. the battle of Malvern HILL in the
tao Civil War, a number of boys in blue
were captured by the confederate army,
I'd imprisoned in Barrett's tobacco fac
% %rr Richmond, Va, where they we'll
s;ab perished through sickness and star
na5+;on. Their sacrifice only intensified
the;r patriotism: and, though under
strict surveillance, they determined to
celebrate in some fitting way the ap-
nroac hing Fourth OF July. This was in
1s62. The leading spirit in this heroic
hand was Timothy j. Regain, OF Irish de-
scent. and a recent emigrant from Wales.
lie belonged to Company E of the Ninth
Massachusetts, Regiment. How to give
vent to their love OF country was the
nroblem. They decided to make a flag,
even though its discovery meant instant
death to it's possessors.
PAT hetic and beautiful was the task
these martyrs in the cause of human lib
erty set themselves. They must literally
rob their own backs for its accomplish
,,ent. Gathering as best they could the
rocessary materials for large flag, the
Fourth was made the day for concerted
action. Twenty or twenty-five men
were in this part of the prison. Some of
them were able secretly to purchase
enough red and white for the stripes. A
9annel shirt made the groundwork of
hue From another shirt, of white cot
+on. we're cut the stars. Poor as was
tG;s oarment, Regain paid for it the sum OF
SG "a. He also furnished the needles and
thread. In early twilight, in conceal
,ncnt. and as best they could, the brave
men wrought. The task was accom-
nisbed The flag was theirs. High up
among the tmbers of the roof the elo-
nuent banner was unfurled, where the
vary guards could not see it as they
looked in through the window. Then,
as the sun mounted the sky, these sick
and weary, hungry, starving and dying
men huddled together under the stars
and stripes, that they might celebrate
the day of their nations independence.
Who can picture the feelings of these
boys in blue, huddled together on that
memorable Fourth, in that Southern
nrison, under the "red, white, and blue?"
The flag was soon taken down. AS it
could not be kept without peril to life, it
was torn into strips, and divided among
the twenty or more men present. Each
wound around his body, as a sacred me-
mento. the piece given him. Nor was
this the last of this wonderous banner.
The men of this prison were soon ex-
changed. Regain was so sick that his
comrades were compelled to support him
while standing in line waiting for his
turn. Wherever the liberated patriots
went, their portion of the flag went with
them. After the war, by persistent cor
respondence, Regain succeeded in recover.
ing every piece. The last was secured
only about FIVE years ago. All were
again sewed together, and the banner
OF prison days completely restored.
Through the recent death of Regain, this
unique flag came into the possession OF
Thomas G. Stevenson. Post 26, Grand
Army of the Republic, Roxbury District
Boston.
1t is doubtful If the story Of this ban
ner can be paralleled among all the mag
nhcent annals of our country. To res
cue its record from obscurity is to add
another tribute to the splendid heroism
the matchless and pathetic patriotism Of
those who gave their lives to the defense
and preservation of the nation that has
made the flag the symbol of its unity and
power New York Independent.