The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-07-04
THE STORY OF A TINY FLAG
Given by a Sumter Girl to q SOL
oler Of the Confederacy.

The following extract from a letter written
oy Judge 7. 7. Huuter, of Stafford. Graham
County, Arizona, but originally from near
Pendleton, this State, to Mrs. DR.. @. II.
Green, contains an interesting wartime inci.
dsnt with which Sumter is Intimately con.
nected. Mics Lizzie Chandler referred to ia
now Mrs j. G. Cunningham, Of Indiantown,
Williamsburg County, the mother of MIR. D,
W. Cunningham, and q sister Of Messrs, D.
j. and }. II. Chandler of this city. The in.
cldent had faded out Of her recollection until
MRS. Green sent her Judge Hunters letter.
but then she recalled it, remembering that
sne and many Others were at the depot to
give to the passing soldiers, luucbss, flowers
and God speed
"Your going to Sumter brings back mem.
ories OF my bOvhood days, and reminds me
o: little roms nee in connection with Sum.
ter that has followed me through a greater
part of my life
III can see now as did on June morning
10 1851 (when the 4th 8 G. infantry passed
through Sumter 90 it's way to Virginia), the
platform crowded With beautiful ladies and
fair'faced girls. Excitement was great, aud
many OF their beautiful faces were tear-stain.
eo, Tor their own loved ones bad just depart.
Cd, come never 10 return-and our appear.
there was a little girl, "mere slip of thing"
handed me tiny Gag, ss We were passing
the platform. On this tiny flag was q soap
Of paper with this name, Lizzie Chandler.
with the words, "God bleas your
III placed the tiny flag in q pocket Bible,
aud as time went oo, was really supersti.
tious enough to believe that name and Gag to
DO my guardian angel. carried it next nv
heart through oil the civil war, and when
Khette battery was cut to pieces at Gettys.
berg was one OF Six to escape without
scratch.
"Afterwards, in 1853, Rhett's old battery
was fsasted 10 Sumter, on our way to help
bragE at Chicks msugs, and the ladies and
girls hlled our haverssck with good things
to eat.
"After the civil war, came west and got
into the midst Of another war-the Apache
Indian war. atill had my tiny Asg and the
name of my guardian angel next my heart
aud 10 October, 1867, was attacked by q
band OF Apaches and made the narro v est
escape OF my life. was surrounded and at one
period OF the fight, realizing that was fight.
ing my last tight, almost gave up, but jus.
then my guardian angel appeared to me.
Like drowning man all ny past life came
up before mo, and nerved for battle. I made
the supreme effort of my life, and by sheer
strength and nerve | cut my way out of that
line Of savsges. Whom realized that was
safe, fouod myself without clothing even,
and alas my aag, nv name aud "God bless
you," we're ell gone but for that time it
had again saved me from ,hcss savsgss.
VI wish you would End ont if this lady is
living yet and something of her. She, like
myself, must be along in years. l never saw
her but that once 10 my life, but her tiny gift
aud name, has made her appear to me at the
gravest moments of my life, and az this fool.
ioh little Circumstance has been with me
through life, out Of curiosity ask you to
nod out what you can for me while in Sum.
ter.
II love old Sumter as if bad lived there,
and 1t has loved place 10 my past. With
regards from us ell to you aud your little
family, am your sincere friend,
1T. T. Hunter"