The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-11-08
THE GREEN FLAG.
True Story of IrIsh valor in III,
Civil War.

docs any man dream that Gael can
fear;
Of Il thousand deeds let him learn but
ne."-Aubrey de Vere
Calamity as the soldiers Of the Irish
Brigade maintained the ancient re-
nown of their heroic race on the sopes
of Maryes Hill; liobly as they proved
their devotion to their adopted country
OH that and many another hard
fought field; dearly as they loved the
banner of their native land, and proud
~ as they bore it in the face of death,
beside the Stars and Stripes, neither
individually nor collectively did they
ever exhibit a sublimity of heroism or
chivalrfc devotion to the fair fame of
their Mother Isle, surprising that dis
played by the Irish soldier in the Con-
federate service in connection with
the battle Of Fredericksburg
Though it is many years since Cap
tain Patrick J. Condor. of the Sixty
third New York Volunteers Nrisl,
BrigndeD related the thrilling story. it
is given as nearly as possible in tho
words Of the narrator, one of the BRAY
est and truest of that gallant corps.
On the night following that in which
the Union army evacuated Eredericks-
burg and recrosscd the Rappalannock,
some of our piclets stationed on the
bank of the river heard Il rifle shot,
quickly followed by several others
from the opposite side of the stream.
There seemed nothing extraordinary in
the occurrence at such Il time; still it
seemed to direct their attention to the
river. if possible, more sharply than
before. They took it for granted that
the shots were fired at some one at
tempting to cross the river; it might
be stragglcr from the Union army
left behind in the rrir, at: il might he
Though under the circumstances that
did not seem very lilcly., or, what was
more probable. it might be n spy
adopting this apparently desperate
method of gaining admittance to tll,
Union camp. Whatever it was that
caused the firing, even though but Il
water rat. they We're determined it
should not steal Il march on them, so
they crOuchcd down in silence on the
bank. and pecrcd ntcntly into the
darkness that hid the greatest portion
of the river. After a lapse of several
minutes their vigilance was rewarded
A dark object emerged from the gloom
and approached the bank Immediate
ly they aSccrtnined that it was man
swimming laboriOusly and without amy
attempt ut concealmcnt across the
rapid current ct had lmined heavily
the previous night, and the river was
considerably swollen, so that it was
a dangerous and difficult undertaking
for a man to attempt swimming across
it: and moreover. when tho intense
GOODNESS of the water ut that season
is taken into considerations The
swimmer gained the bank mt length,
and drew himself. with some 'lillicul-
ty. out of the water. lie %azrh around
him for a moment, and then advanced
slowly. Tie had not gone more thhn
when he was surrounded Ivy the vi%i-
liant guard and made II prisoner. He
seemed in no wise surprised. and
asked to he conducted mt one" to Grn-
cral ..eaghcr's quarters, His captors
were Irishmcn. and at once recognized
his Munster accent: so. as he declined
any further conversation, they COM
piled with his request, and two of
them accompanied him to tho m"ner-
ais tent. the others returning to their
posts on the picket line.
On being brought into the light. the
soldier. He recognized General Mcag|,-
err. among some other officers who Were
in the tent. and saluting him, request
cd to be alone With him for Il few mo-
mcnts. At sign from the general the
officers withdrew. and then tho Strnn@-
or drew from beneath his shirt tho
Groom Flag of tho Twenty eighth Mas
Sachusctts Volunteers. and presented
II to the general. In a fcw words he
told all he wished to reveal lie was
an lriShman. stationed during tho
i, FIGHT of the l2ih on Mnrvc'S 1lilI. Ito
, had witnessed the advance Of the
, brigade With what conflicting emo
tions he would not say: seen his
, rorntrymcn fall thick and fast before
+, The whitening fire. still Tho Green
Flag" moved onward. nearer and near
er IL came. his %aan rtvctod upon IT,
, At last ii went down. with tho Gallant
fellow who bore it. We marked tlr
, spot where ii lay, and was determined
: to oljan possession OF 1T: 50 tlmt Might
he secured il before auy one else could
reach the spot, and Wrapping IL
, around bis body. waited for thc first
favorable opportunity 10 II torc IL tG
the mon who had fought 50 lravely
beneath its folds. lie WINS y Conre3.
ID