The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-18
a sickly sort of smile, and. turning about.
walked out of the Office
HISTORIC FLAG.


Occasional Correspondence OF the Journal
MARION, Ind, March 16.-The thousands
of people who have attended the band con-
certs and other entertainments at the Sol
diers' Home. including the veterans that
go to the services in Stinson Memorial
Hall, have noticed the large flag that is
lowered from the upper part of the stage.
ii; the rear end of the building. when the
band rises to play the concluding number
of all performances. THE Star-spangled
Banner" The old veterans get up. and by
so doing salute ''old glory as it comes
from above. And we'll may they do so. for
that flag has a history which ought not
only immortalize it, but insure its safety
and preservation for many years yet TO
come. The flag is known as a garrison
1ag-a standard of the United States
army--is a No. design, 10 feet long by 10
feet inches in width. and was made by
the United States Flag Company. of Low
ell, Mass, of the material known as flag
bunting. The date of manufacture is not
exactly known, but it was some time be-
tween the close of the rebellion in 1866
and the year 1870. Anyhow, this is the
identical flag that fioated from the mast of
minister to France, the Hon. L. B. Wash
burne, of Illinois. who represented this gov
eminent during the Franco-Prussian war
and also during the terrible times of the
siege of Paris and the commune. This flag
was the symbol of the nationality of these
United States, and the flag that hundreds
of people looked to for protection then;
the Gag that the officers Of the besieging
German army saw waving in the breeze,
and the starry emblem they all respected,
and TO which they gave reverential defer
ence. The flag has but thirty-eight stars,
the number of States in the Union then.
1t was brought to this country by the late
Gen. John A. Bridgland, who was at that
time the United States consul to Havre.
He brought it to Richmond, Ind, and pre-
scented it to the late General Tom Bennett.
formerly colonel of the Sixty-ninth Indiana
Infantry, who was mayor of Richmond
for number of years and quite politi-
clan in general. Among the positions of
honor held by Bennett was that of depart
ment commander of the Grand Army. He
died eight years ago. In 1894 Gen. Tom
Bennett Post, No. SIC, Grand Army of the
Republic, was organized at the home, and
as name adopted that of tom Bennett"
When the family of the dead general
learned this Mr.. William II. Bennett, of
Richmond, brother, sent this flag to the
post as a present. and it was gladly &C.
cepted. 1t was intended to use it for the
postroom in Assembly Hall, but owing TO
its extreme length there was no place to
put it, so 1t was thought best to suspend II
so the people could see it and in time find
cut what a relic it is. The flag is showing
the effects of time, and something will
have to be done to insure its preservation.
William Gogan, a past commander, has
charge of il now. One day he and Sol
Yewell, members of the home, were ex-
aiming the flag. and by that investigation
learned the facts in the case. o. K.
Soldiers Home. Marion, Ind, March H.