The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-01-07
The Flag of the Confederacy

the two hills company A had con-
structed earthwOrks and stored the
precious powder, ammunition and food
On the eastern slope OF the smaller
hill was the red-rOOfed bungalow Oc-
cupied by the Ritters.
Lieutenant Nelson had pressed the
missionary and his family to take ref
uge in the little fortress, but they
had declined, thinking the danger a
thing far off. So the young officer
at their invitation, had taken I'D his
abode with them, with a detail of four
men for sentry duty. His captain was
on detached service. the first lieuten-
ant in the hospital at Manila, and this
was Nelson's first Independent COM
mand. Here the last ten days had
been passed pleasantly and unevent-
fully. albeit with many anxious specu-
lations as to the fate. OF their less for
tunate comDatriots. -
A third of a mile away company A
gambled and grumbled and cursed
their inglOrious inactivity fluently and
earnestly.
Lieutenant" said Mrs. Ritter that
evening. looking across the valley to
the little fort, your men are nearly
all southerners. are they not?"
''AI1 Of them, Mrs. Ritter. and near
ly all Virginians at that" He spoke
with deprecatory modesty, which left
It to be inferred that. to his notion
at least, he was bestOwing the highest
possible praise. Zine fellows. When
the call for volunteers for the Spanish
war was issued, they were the first
70 respond. That is how we came TO
\be company A. Now, don't say r. f.
VS. Miss Ritter; I see it trembling
On your lips"
turned that young lady, laughing.
that the F. F. VS. answered the call
so promptly. I am afraid"-hesitating
a little-"had I been on the south of
Mason and Dixons line I should not
have forgotten SO soon"
The soldiers face grew grave. I'VE
have not forgotten" he said. I'VE
have forgiven-as we hope we are for
given. IT was inevitable-and best
that we should lose. We are loyal to
the stars and striDes-but we have
not forgotten the stars and bars. There
Is more pride than sorrow in our mem
cries. And when the naughty Lees
and fiery Wheeler set US the example,
we youngsters who know the great
war only in twilight tales and legends
could hardly do less than follow"
He hesitated a moment, his boyish
cheek flushing, and then addressed Mr..
Ritter.
DO you know have a confederate
flag 1 carry with me aIways?" He low
cred his voice reverently. TT was my
fathers"
Mr.. Ritter frowned Che had been a
stern soldier of the north. but Alice
sprang I'd in delight.
"Oh. do get il. lieutenant! I have
never seen confederate flag in my
life! Don't mind papa-he has seen
It before. but I haven't"
Nelson laughed and went to his room.
He quickly returned with a parcel
which he unfoIded. and spread a small
battle flag before them.
Such a stained and torn and tat
tered banner! Its colors were dimmed
by time and rain-it was rent and
SCARED by the storm of battle-its
edges frayed by the winds Of four des-
perate years.
1.-THE blood of a xinsman made one
of these many stains" said Nelson. "A
shell made this cash at Fair Oaks
these bullets tore through in the Sew
en- Days. Here. and here, are the
marks Of Antietam" His voice grew
low and tense-he looked at the flag
as II he had forgotten the others.
when Pickett's ten thousand charged
on the last terrible day at Gettysburg
szshis flag led the van-and one of my
name and blood rode beside Il. And
when IL reeled back in defeat, for the
first time-but not the last!-Oh. not
the Iastl-the fate Of the southern con-
and this flag turned back that day
marked the high tide Of the rebellion!