The National tribune., 1902-06-12
INDIANA BATTLE-FLAGS.
Pathetic Incidents of the Farewell to the Old
Regimental Colors.

| EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: | had the
pleasure of attending the dedication of the
Soldiers Monument ut Indianapolis, Ind
| While the meeting with old comrades
| whom l had not seen or even correspond
ed with for 40 years was pleasurable, in
| deed, yet other things made it very sad.
Indiana's Governor had given permits
sion to the old boys to take from the cases
| in the State House the old banners under
| which they had marched and fought for
| three years. Oh, how our hearts thrObbed
to see that dear old flag once more. While
only tattered old rag, actually falling to
pieces, yet there was sentiment-shall
call it-cropping out, which inspired
| each old veteran to elbow and crowd into
the State House corridors to get posses
sion of the particular .'Old Glory" which
| he had fought under, and the jam was al
| most unbearable.
Color Bearer VIM. Selmier, of Otto,
Ind, and finally got into the room where
the CustOdians were giving out the flags
| to their respective regiments. How proud
| ly we called for the flag of the 93d Ind.
On looking for our flag and not finding it,
we were told that it had already gone out,
and we were two badly disappointed SOL
diers, for we hoped to go back home and
tell that we had carried our old flag once
more. But as we could not we hurried
out to find and march under it, which was
SlOIy eHouSn we dHAIOuSly ScdnHeu each
card attached to the different flags, which
bore in plain figures the number of each
regiment, the flags themselves being too
rotten to unfurl; but, alas, no ODD was to
be seen. We then began to make inquiry.
and learned that % or more of the old
flags had been loaned for company Re
unions at different times and never re-
turned. Had the comrades who held pos
session of these dear old banners been
present and seen the keen disappointment
we all suffered they would have deter
mined then and there to return the flags
to the State House, where they belong.
Now, comrades, these flags do not be-
long to you or your company or any 9th
er individual, but to the regiment at large.
and orr State House is the proper place
for them to rest, where you and /. our
children and grandchildren. may look Mt
them and feel proud to show them as the
banner under which we fought. Boys,
send them in.
1t was pitiable sight to see decrepid
veterans who had perhaps made the SUI
preme effort of their lives to be there to
see their dear old flags when found. beg
ging. while the tears ran down their
wrinkled cheeks, to be permitted to lust
put hand on the dear old flag"
Then, as a comrade would meet one of
his old command whom he had not seen
since they were mustered out 40 years
ago, and as they recognized each other, it
seemed like looking into the face of one
from the spirit world. Perhaps neither
knew that the other was alive until they
met and were clasped in each others
arms; then again tears flowed down the
burrows made by the plow of time on
these wrinlled Old visages that were flush
ed with the rosy hue of youth when they
parted 40 years ago. Do / hear, you say.
young reader, "Oh, that was the mere
foolish sentiment of childish old men,"
All, me, boys, call it childish sentiment if
You will, but it is patriotic sentiment,
never to be blotted ont of those old hearts
while they continue to throb.
AS the time came to redeposit the old
flags in the State House and we were told
by the Adjutant-General of Indiana to |
bid farewell to our old banners, a scene
was then enacted which can never be blot |
ted from the memory of any old soldier |
who witnessed it. Each man as he looked |
look upon his much-haioved regimental !
banner, and | am sure the laying away |
OF one of his own dear family could not |
have affected him more |
Then farewell handshake with his old |
as they each hurried to the train |
which would carry them to their homes,
was next in order, and again the tears
flowed as one would say, as he gave his
comrade hearty grip, "Good-by, Jack;
don't believe | will ever see you again"
Then Jack would reply, "Never mind.
Billy; lets try to meet over there" God
bless the boys in blue.-J. w. LACOCK,
Sergeant, Co. c. 93d Ind.