Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-06-26
HISTORIC FLAG RETURNS TO CHARLESTON.
Interesting Incident at the Recent Industrial
Convention at Philadelphia.

SVHteHU0H az fnlldu6Ipnla.
Charleston was pleasantly brought
to the front in the Southern Indus.
trial Convention when Gen. w. w.
II. Davis, of Doylestown, Pa, pre-
sented to the old City by the Sea,
through her delegation there, relic
OF the late unpleasantness. Gen.
Davis, formerly Col. Davis, was in
command of the Federal forces on
Morris Island during 1864, and while
there one of the signal flags of the
Confederate ram Chicora fell into
his hands. Tonight that flag was
restored to the metropolis of South
Carolina. In presenting the flag,
which he has cherished as one of his
most priceless relics of his war OK
perience, Gen. Davis said
THE Flag PRESENTED.
"The duty devolving OH me, in
connection with the evening function,
is OF the most pleasing character, and
the pleasure is enhanced by discharg-
ing it in this presence. am here to
entrust to our Southern guests relic
of the war between the States, and
to depute one of their members to
return it to the City of Charleston,
5. c., where it properly belongs.
When Charleston fell into the hands
Of the Federal forces on February l8,
1865, among the spoils of war was the
signal flag of the Confederate ram
Chicora. 1t was taken from the
locker of the vessel by Lieut.. VIM. r.
Elliott, formerly of my command,
and subsequently presented to me.
In the meantime | determined to re.
turn it to the rightful owner could he
be found, but it was never done. Mr..
Elliott suggested we take advantage
Of the meeting of the Southern In
dustrial Convention in this city to
discharge this duty. This met my
views and am here o-night for that
purpose. To you, DR.. Kollock,
commit this symbol of the nations
quarrel, and ask you to give it to the
Mayor of Charleston to make such
disposition as may seem proper, and
| hope the flag may be cared for in a
manner commensurate with the cour
age that defended it in the strife Of
battle. Happily and wonderfully
for both sides that war has passed
into history, and our bruised arms
are hung up for monuments, and the
courage and forbearance, and forti-
tudc, the suffering and tho tears that
marked its progress have crystalized
the nation into more perfect Union.
The Union based on affection, re-
spcct and mutual good will, and the
Southern Industrial Convention as
semblcd here, give evidence that
both the North and the South fully
realize that peace hath her victories
no less renowned than war; If more
were wanting, let us one and all in
this City of Brothcrly Love, founded
in deeds of peace by William Penn,
wherein the immortal Declaration of
Independence was made and pro-
mulgated and the Constitution
adopted, swear to retain our alcgi-
ance TO the Union"
TIE FLAG ACCEPTED.
In accepting the flag for Charles
ton DR.. Kollok said cit would seem
more fitting that some battlc-s SCARED
veteran, some man who had borne it
i'll retreat, some one who had heard
the booming of the cannon and burst
ing of shell, some one who had shed
his blood in defence of the cause for
which 30 many gave their lives, should
receive this most precious relic from
its generous and chivalrous captor.
But then these men are rapidly
marching away never to return, and
already many have crossed over the
river and arc resting in the shade of
the trees. Upon us, their sons, de-
wolves the duty to preserve these
relics of q cause they held so dear
and to keep bright in our memories
and those of our children their glori-
Gus deeds. Aye, gentlemen, of the
North and South, it is such deods as
these that tend to soften the feelings
of the past and help to cement again
the affections of these brothers who
differed, quarrclled and fought-as
only the brave fght-to the bitter
end. What memories this flag calls
up from the past, and what has be-
come of the brave hands that bore it
mid shot and shell to victory and
dcfeat?' Mothinks can see through
smoke and fire those brave mon in
grey crouching behind their works
of sand and logs, while from the
front in continuous stream come the
shot and shell from tho Federal fleet,
and again as they land, the boys in