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TATTERED FLAG GIVEN BACK.Terry’s Texas Rangers Recover Their Colors Lost In Fierce Battle.The tattered battle flag of Tern's Texas Rangers was restored to the remnant of the gallant Confederate band, the ceremonies taking place in the auditorium at the fair grounds in Dallas. Tex. Governor Mount, of Indiana, and staff: Governor Sayers, of Texas, and staff, and a mounted escort of Captain Pagett's Rough Riders formed in front of the city hall recently and proceeded to the entrance of the grounds, where they were met by a delegation of ex-Indlanlans. ex-Confed-erates and members of the G. A. R.. who escorted them to the auditorium.Governor Mount, in an impressive speech before a large assemblage, presented the flag to Governor Sayers, who. In turn, presented it to Hon. James Miller, president of the Association of Terry s Rangers. Great enthusiasm was manifested during the proceedings.Governor Mount said in part:“This great occasion becomes an epoch in our country’s history. A third of a century ago the two great states here represented were bitter contestants in civil war. Today we meet as citizens of a common country to weld stronger the bonds of national union sundered during the war. Removed by the tide ot .time by this cruel conflict, let the asperities of the past be forgotten, for it is better to exercise charity than to engender strife, to plant the seeds of concord than the germs of hate. The loftiest patriotism is now found in binding up the nation s wounds and unifying the country’s strength. The state that contributes most to the bringing of all our states into closer union is the one that leads in loyal devotion to the whole. We come to return In love a battleflag we took in anger. Since those who fought us then are brothers today, and fight by our side, is it not eminently proper to turn these trophies of war, representing as they do the eternal past, into mementoes of friendship, to represent the spirit of unity in the living present? Who ,wl11 dare criticise this noble impulse as a mere morbid sentimentality? i\“United, we are marching forward to grander industrial and commercial victories. We excel in all the elements of true greatness the mightiest governments of this earth. Two weeks ago Indiana dedicated the monuments erected In memory of her brave sons who fought at Chickamauga. Ex-Confederates joined with us in this dedicatory service. Gen. Boynton, superintendent of the Chickamauga Military Park. said, in receiving the Indiana monuments, that it was the first time the blue and the gray had joined in such service. It was an impressive and no less inspiring scene, to see the survivors of that bloody battle unite in harmonious action on such an occasion. Inspiring. for it gave evidence that past animosities are to be forgotten and fraternal relations are to be cherishel. Addressing himself to the dedicatory service, Colonel Fort, of the Confederate army, said he desired ’to show his aprpeciatlon and to recognize the chivalrlc spirit manifested by the legislature of Indiana in voting to return to the Texas Rangers the battleflag captured by Indiana soldiers. He said, for this reason, he was glad to take part in dedicating the monuments of tills state. He further said the return of this flag would do more to unite in fraternal union the blue and the gray than any event north or south since the war.“Rejoicing in this union that will henceforth be defended by the brave Texas Rangers as valiantly as by Indlanians. clothed wiih authority from the legislature, which is expressive of the voice of the people, it becomes my pleasant duty to return to your excellency this battleflag. gallantly carried In war by Terry’s Texas Rangers, braver men than whom never drew sword In battle. This act poclalms more eloquently than words of mine Indiana’s'joy that henceforth the daring intrepidity of Texas heroes will be displayed in carrying the flag of our Union to victory against all its foes. i “Take this flag and may it henceforth j be an emblem of unity and good will between the great states of Indiana ^tnd Texas and a seal of their fidelity to ihenational Union.”The flag is an interesting relic. The Rangers claim that it was never captured, that it was lost while they were in retreat. The Indlanians, however, assert that it fell Into the hands of the Indiana regiment during the heat of battle. Terry’s Rangers formed one of the most famous regiments of the war. The question of the return of this flag by the state of Indiana to the survivors of the Rangers has been long discussed and In a manner that attracted attention the country over.At night a reception was tendered to Governor Mount and the members of his stafT by the citizens of Dallas at the Dallas club building.The Indiana governor and his party were driven to the reception at 9 o’clock p. m, a flag-bearer on the front coach carrying the staff colors. They were received by a party composed of members of the select circle of Dallas society.The fololwing morning the party left for home. A special train furnished by the citizens carried them from Dallas to Fort Worth. 30 miles west, and then to Sherman.. SO miles north, in order to enable the Indlanians to view a portion of the famous “black lands’' farming belt of Texas.
Newspaper Details
Atlanta Sunny South
Atlanta, Georgia, US
Sat, Nov 04, 1899
Page 1
Full Page
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Anonymous
TN, USA 03 Feb 2020
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