The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-07
THE TEXAS RANGERS.
r.. III. Terrell. Formerly Of India ma,
Tells the story of the Battle Flag.

SAN ANTONIO, Tex, April 6.-The re-
turning of the flag of the Terry Rangers OF
Texas by the Indiana State Legislature TO
the Texas Legislature in the near future
promises to be an epoch in the history OF
both North and South. Among those who
will be particularly interested in the event il
f. II. Terrell, who was hunted States min
lister to Brussels under Harrison. He mar
ried into a Southern family, and, coming to
Texas from Indiana, has kinsmen in the
regiment which captured the famous flag
and relatives by marriage who were men,
bers of the Texas Rangers.
He tells the story of the nag and its
history as follows: THE Terry Rangers
was a regiment OF cavalrymen orgaized I'm
southwest Texas and made up of the best
material of fighting ren that the frontier
afforded. I'm fact, The Terry Rangers OF the
civil war occupied the same position as did
Roosevelts Rough Riders during the war
with Spain. Many of The former Terry
Rangers are yet living. some i'm San An
tonic and others scattered throughout the
Southwest. AT different times the Rangers
were under command OF General Forest.
Gen. Joe Wheeler and other well-known
Confederate cavalry officers.
THE Terry Rangers became famous as
fierce fighters and were largely successful
in their engagements, but, like other good
regiments, met defeat number of times.
Two of their most notable defeats were in
flicted upon them by Indiana regiments.
ION Dee. IL, 1861, six companies Of the
Thirty-secOnd Indiana were defending the
line on Green river, near ROwlet's Station.
in kentucky, when attacked by General
Hindman's command, i'm which there was n
battalion Of the Terry Rangers, led by Col.
Terry himself. They made very savage
attack on the Indiana troops, but were re-
pulsed, the Confederates being compelled 10
withdraw after suffering great losses. Col.
Terry was killed in this engagement.
During the summer of 1854 the Seven
teenth Indiana Mounted Infantry, under
command of Colonel Wilder after fierce
fight, captured the Terry Rangers battle
flag, with many other trophies. Since the
war the flag has been on exhibition In the
Indiana Statehouse war relic.
''As a result OF the fine feeling through
out the North and South, largely growing
out of the late war with Spain, and as an
indication of the general feeling OF patriot
ism throughout the land and the complete
wiping out OF the old sectional feeling. the
Indiana Legislature passed bill unanimous
w. in both houses, TO return the Terry Ran
gers battle flag TO the State of Texas as a
| token of the kindly spirit toward the South
ern people existing throughout that North
ern State
The Legislature of Indiana also made an
appropriation for the purpose or sending
the Governor and staff and a delegation or
to turn over the flag TO Governor Sayers ana
the LEGISLATURE of Texas. The Texas Legs
lature has responded with equal courtesy
and patriotism to the action on the part or
the State of Indiana, and has extended 10
Governor Mount and his staff and friends an
invitation TO become the guests OF the State
OF Texas during the trip.
Gen Joe Wheeler, who at one time COM
manded the Terry Rangers. has accepted an
invitation TO be present when the ceremonies
take place and participate in them.
General Wheeler. Governor Mount, Gov
ernor Savers and delegations from the In
diana and Texas legislatures Will come 70
San Antonio upon the completion OF the
presentation ceremonies. Here they viii be
given a grand review by the United States
troops at Fort Sam Houston, VIII visit the
missions and other points OF historic inter-
est and be presented 10 the surviving veter-
ans of the Terry Rangers, who will be as
sembled in San Antonio
The flag is a regimental emblem. about
four feet square. made of blue silk. with
gold fringe. in the center Is a white satin
rioon-shaped disk, With red silk cross con-
tanning eleven stars and the motto and name
of the troops-"Ducit Amor Patriae. Ter
rvs Texas Rangers.