Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1908-11-13
Civil War Stories
o~~~~~~~~
The Old Flag.

The time when the union troops were
attempting to force the Confederate
cavalry into a fight near Lexington,
Henderson county, Tennessee, our COM
mand under Gen. Sullivan encamped
for the night at place called Spring
Grove. Before we left camp on the
morning of Dec. 90, 1862, noticed
quite stir at headquarters, and
knowing that something unusual was
transpiring l FASTENED to the place to
ascertain the cause. The officer OF the
day, Col. Cyrus L. Durham, was much
excited. An orderly came UP from the
guard line on the road leading to the
town with the statement that little
girl wanted to see the commander Of
the Union soldiers.
II shall not be betrayed by a little
girl who wants to get into the lines to
carry some information to the enemy"
said the officer.
"tShe has something she wants to give
you," said the orderly.
Perhaps an Internal machine of
some kind to hinder our march to Per
kins' cross roads," said the officer, but
make everything ready to move. I will
ride out and inspect the visitor. l
think l can tell by a brief interview
what her character is" SO saying he
mounted his horse and rode to the
point where the little girl was in walt
ing for permission to speak.
well, my child" said the big off,
Ger, what do you want to see the
commander of the Union soldiers
about?"
Please" said she, in q trembling
voice, "are you the general OF the
Union army? Ny grandfather lives
over the hill on the other road; his
name is John Lucas and he is IS years
Old"
Interrupting her the colonel asked
what she wanted to give him? She
pulled out an old much worn American
flag and from it dropped letter VIII
ten on large foolscap paper, which she
quickly picked up and handed to the
officer. The trembling hand of old
John Lucas had written it. The colonel
was so much affected by reading 1t that
he read it over again. 1t was pam
that his feelings were in some way
touched by the letter which was as fol
lows:
II address you as an officer who IS
fighting for the dear old flag. send
to you by my little granddaughter. /
could not think that anyone would dis
turb one so beautiful and innocent as
she is OF that you would refuse to ac-
cept her offering or question her mo-
tives She has helped me to preserve
the flag from the enemies of our coun-
try For two years it has been my Gus
tom to hoist the flag on tall liberty
pole that stands before my door on
every Fourth of July, on the 22nd OF
February and on the 9Th, the day on
which the battle of New Orleans was
fought. l participated in that battle
under Gen. Jackson, of my own state,
who said the Union shall be preserved
I have lived a miserable life since the
rebellion commenced. The rebels have
twice attempted to cut down my Liberty
pole. They declare that the old flag
shall never be hoisted on it again. 1t
will soon be the Sth of January, and
unless the rebels are conquered before
that time / cannot fulfill my promise
without shooting some of my neigh
bors | am too old and feeble to fight
for the flag alone. l send 1t to you,
the only evidence 1 can send you of
my affection to the Union and the love
of the old flag. Keep it to remember
a true hearted, loyal Tennessee, Jack
son Democrat If I live to see the old
flag floating over an undivided country
I will purchase a new flag and hoist it
on my liberty pole-never to be taken
down until the winds scatter its
threads to the four wings of the earth.
If YOU can do so, please call on me; III
not, farewell.
Signed. JOHN LUCAS"
The colonel was SO delighted with
the old mans patriotic letter that he
wrote to him on paper torn from his
diary the following:
God bless you, John Lucas, for your
sentiment. l cannot see you now, but
I will bring a Thousand men, If there
are that many in my command, and
will see that the old flag floats on your
flagstaff. Goodbye, c. l.. L"
He then kissed the little girl and
gave her the only silver dollar he had.
MANY of the soldiers made presents to
her. and if the men could have reach
ed her she would have had something
from everyone. She was most beaut1-
full child and every one who saw her
longed to do her some kindness
American Tribune.