Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1906-07-13
FLAG ON BOYS GRAVE.
Father Puts Stars and Bars on
His Sons Green Mound.

His Sons Green Mound.
Apathetic little incident, which served
to show how well the bond between
North and the South has been cemented
under the Stars and Stripes, occurred
memorial afternoon in Glenwood Gene
terry. The graves of the men who
had fought in the service of the
United States during the "days that
tried mems SOULS had been dec
GRATED with flags and flowers and
the Grand Army of the Republic men
and others who had participated in the
ceremonies had departed.
In the afternoon, while the carriages
and automobiles were crowding through
the gates, tall man with bronzed
countenance appeared. In his hands he
carried a small bunch of daisies. With
firm tread he walked into the Office
and asked where grave, plat.
was located. Only the superintendents
of the cemetery knew that in that
isolated spot rested the body of one
who had fallen under the "Stars and
Bars
One of the grave diggers, acting as a
guide, showed himto the lot and pointed
out the grave With tears streaming
from his eyes, the old fellow walked
forward and deposited the bunch of
daisies. Then reaching down in the in
side pocket of the coat, he drew forth
flag. 1t was old, tattered and torn,
and its center showed where the banner
had been pierced by bullets. 1t required
a few moments to bring the furls out
properly, as the flag had to be handled
tenderly, for it looked as though il
would fall to pieces.
Then the man walked out and picked
up small twig and wrapped the end
of the flag around it, and returning to
the grave, planted the flag at the head.
An instant later the "Stars and Bars
were unfurled.
The cemetery was filled with people,
and among them were several members
of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Finally they came across this isolated
spotand saw the Confederate flag flying.
Whats that flag doing there?''
asked Northern man.
The old Southerner Strengthened up
One sleeve of his coat was empty, but
there was look of defiance in his eyes
which seemed to say: There is nS
man going to remove that flag" Then
carefully removing his wide white hat
he said: 81 came up here to see whethe,
this grave was going to be decorated ol
not. You fellows have forgotten him
He was killed in the seven days fgh
around Richmond. He was my boy
the only boy ever had; my name.
Amiss, and thought you would over
look this grave, but I've bowed down t,
the Stars and Stripes, and would fgh
for it today, but there is no one eve
going to remove this old flag unde
which he died until the Stars and Stripe
are placed there"
| And then three men, whose DAYS ar
numbered in this world, tried to out
race each other to get flag and whel
they brought back small one an,
planted it on the grave, together will
a large wreath, the old Southerner go
| up and shook hands and then CAREFUL,
wrapped up the Confederate flag wit
which he had decorated the grave.
''We'll take that" said one of tn
j Grand Army of the Republic men.
| mo you won't" said the old man
''That was my regimental flag in tn
Stonewali Jackson brigade. 1t WASH
taken away from me then, and it won
be given up now, and with words 0
thanks and tears streaming from hi
!, | eyes he walked away, and one of tn
Northern men said: ''No wonder W
, had to fight. Washington Post.
/ DnntSUx