The San Francisco call., 1905-05-07
RETURN FLAGS
TO The SOUTH
State of Tennessee Requests
Illinois to Restore Banner
Captured in Forests Raid
LONG SEARCH FOR 1T
Civil War Veterans Expected
to Approve This Method
OF Bridging Bloody Chasm

After remaining in the possession Of
the State Of Illinois for over forty years
as relic of the Civil War days. the
flag of the Second Tennessee Cavalry.
which was captured at the battle OF
Memphis, may be returned to that
State by special act OF the Legis-
lature. Veterans Of the Illinois regi-
ments who participated In the
memorable event have long since for
gotten the Ill feeling which existed at
the time the rebel banner was taken.
and it is believed that no effort will be
made to retain the banner.
The flag which the State of Tennessee
Is anxious to regain possession OF is
contained in glass case In Memorial
Hall. at the statehouse. and until a
year ago 1t was given no special at
tention save from the curious eyes Of
visitors at the Capitol building. Sur
vlvors OF the Tennessee Cavalry since
the close Of the rebellion have been
carrying on systematic search and
last year learned that the banner was
the property of the State OF Illinois.
Correspondence then began between
]. w. Morton. Secretary OF the South
ern State, and former Governor Rich
ard Yates. son of the war Governor of
Illinois. Mr.. Morton asked that the
flag be returned and he was informed
that the matter would have to be taken
before the Legislature either in the
form OF law or resolution
RESOLUTION PASSES HOUSE.
Representative Struckman Of Chi
cago, veteran OF the Civil War, Of
fered joint resolution providing for
the return Of the flag. The measure
passed the House without debate and
20 ho e., r.-ra A.
rest until final action Is taken by that
body. Whether or not the members OF
the Grand Army Of the Republic will
oppose the transfer Is yet to be learned.
Department Commander Robert Mann
Wood Of Chicago on behalf Of the
Grand Army Of the Republic has sane
toned the proposition to allow the flag
to be taken to it's native State but To-
cal veterans believe that it should re-
main IN Memorial Hall
Senator Hank" Evans, who was a
member Of the One Hundred and Twen-
ty-fourth Illinois Volunteers and for
twenty-sfx years member OF the SEN
ate, may oppose the adoption Of the
resolution on the floor of the Senate.
He is investigating the case, but has
not yet determined what stand he win
take.
Robert Mann Wood, department COM
mander Of the Grand Army Of Illinois.
In q recent letter to Governor Deneen
offers no opposition to the resolution
now before the Legislature. u
WOOD FAvORs RETURN.
Commander Wood says:
Replying to your letter Of February ~ con-
corning the request Of the secretary OF the
oad Tennessee nag. which was captured by an
Illinois regiment, permit to say In this re-
quest recognise no rebelhous spirit OF evi-
dence OF no continued antaGorisrn or refusal
to accept present conditions, but simply a de-,
sire to regain the Dag az one would want a
Had request come from the south ave or
ten years after the war the Grand Army Of
the Republic would have unanimously opposed
Il
years ago during the War OF the Rebellion.
we became comrades IN arms In the Spanish
American War, TO which thousands more than
were requested Of the Southern people volun-
teersd.
I trust the General Assembly win pass a
flags 70 their respective States from whose
troops we captured them. being assured they
will never be doated to the bFeezs IN rebellion
against the United States
The flag Is incased In glass on the
east side OF the Illinois Memorial Hall.
There IL has remained for over thirty
years and has never been touched since
the day the workmen completed the
task Of placing the case In position It
does not show the wear Of two score
of years. The only words which tell OF
Forests raid on Memphis In August.
j 1864, are inscribed on a small card on
the flag. They are: