Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1906-06-22
FLAG ON BOYS GRAVE
Father Puts Stars and Bars on His Som S
Green Mound.

| dTecn m0un0.
| A pathetic little incident, which
served to show how well the bond be
tween North and the South has beer
cemented under the Stars and Stripes
occurred memorial Afternoon in Glen
wood cemetery.
Tbe graves of the men who haC
fought in the service of the United
States during the "days that tried men'i
souls" had been decorated with flags
and flowers, and the Grand Army OF
the Republic men and others who had
participated In the ceremonies had de.
parted.
About A o'clock in the afternoon,
while the carriages and automobiles
were crOwding through the gates, a
tall man withAa bronzed cOuntenance
appeared. In his hands be carried a
small bunch of daisies, which have been
sold in front of the entrance to the
cemetery.
With firm tread he walked into
the office and asked where grave -,
plat -, was located. Only the su
perintendents of the cemetery knew
that in that isolated spot rested the
body cf one who had fallen under the
"Stars and Bars"
One of the grave diggers, acting as
guide, showed him to the lot and point.
ed out the grave. With tears stream.
ing from his eyes, the old fellow walk
ed forward and deposited the bunch of
daisies Then reaching down in the
inside pocket of the coat, he drew forth
a flag. 1t was old, tattered and torn.
and it's center showed where the ban
ner had been pierced by bullets.
1t required few moments to bring
the furls out properly, as the flag had
to be handled tenderly, for it looked as
though it would fall to piecee.
Then the man walked out and pick |
I'D up small twig and wrapped the
snd of the flag around it, and return
ng to the grave, planted the flag at the
lead. Az instant later the "Stars and
Bars" were unfurled.
The cemetery was filled with people,
md among them were several members
# the Grand Army of the Republic.
Finally they came across this isolated
pot and saw the Confederate flag fly
ng. l.
whats that flag doing there ?''i
sked a Northern man.
The old Southerner Strengthened up.
me sleeve of bis ceat was empty, but
here was look of defiance in his
yes which seemed to say: ''There is
o man going to remove that flag"
hen, carefully removing his wide
rhite hat, be said: II came up here to
se whether this grave was going TO
9 decorated or not. You fellows have
orgotten him. He was killed In the
even days fight around Richmond.
lie was my boy, the only boy l ever
ad; my names Amiss, and L thought
ou would overlook this grave, but I've
owed down to the Stars and Stripes, .
nd would fight for it today, but there
no one ever going to remove this old
ag under which be died until the Stars
nd Stripes are placed there"
And then three men, whose days are
umbered in this world, tried to out
ice each other to get flag and when
ley brought back small one aud
anted it on the grave, together with
large wreath, the old SOutherner got
p and shook hands and then carefully
raped up the flag with which he had
ecOrated the grave.
well take that" said one of the
rand Army of the Republic men.
mo you WON'T" said the old man.
That was my regimental flag in the
jackson brigade. 1t wasn't
lken away from me then, aud it won't
e given up now. and with words of
hanks and tears streaming from bis
yes he walked away. aud one of the
Orthern men said: mo wonder we
i'd to fight. Nv ashingtOn Post. P