Flag of Terry's Texas Rangers

Confederate Veteran
Volume 7, Number 12, Page 545-546
December, 1899

An event well worthy of elaborate mention is that of the return of the battle flag of Terry's Texas Rangers, Eighth Texas Cavalry. Comrades H. W. Graber, George B. Littlefield, S. B. Christian, W. D. Cleveland and R. Y. King, a committee from the Rangers, and J. J. Weiler, now of Texas, petitioned for its return, setting forth that it was lost by their command during an engagement near Coosaville, Ala., October 13, 1864, and found by J. J. Weiler, of the Seventeenth Indiana Regiment, and turned over to the State of Indiana. Gov. James A. Mount, of Indiana, attended by a committee of Union veterans, went to Dallas, where he was met by Gov. Sayers and Confederate associations of Texas. The ceremonies attending the return of this flag were interesting and in every way creditable.

The return of this flag was all the more cordial because of the return, a few years ago, of the flag of the Fifty-Seventh Indiana Regiment, captured by Corporal W. M. Crooks, of Texas, in the glare of carnage at Franklin, November 30, 1864. Comrade Crooks was greatly honored by the men of that regiment at its formal return, an account of which appeared in the Veteran for July, 1897.

It is a coincidence that at this sitting a letter comes from a prominent member of the Women's Relief Corps of Indiana, who writes of having spoken to a friend, prominent in that state, about the use of the word "rebel" in describing the flags in their State capitol. He replied to her that it was done mane many years ago, that it ought not be so, and that he would see to having it changed. All these things show the virtue of persistence in righting things that will be of increasing importance as the decades pass.

In his address Gov. Mount said: "We come to-day to return to its original owners a flag which was once borne bravely in bloody conflict. We come bearing the flowers of love and of peace, returning this flag that it may be a testimony and a symbol of a reunited people, reunited in fact, reunited in heart, in sympathy, and in brotherly love."

To Gens. Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson he paid a splendid tribute, feeling and tender and manly.

Gov. Mount read a poem by Frank L. Stanton, of Atlanta:

But now I'm in the Union. I see there, overhead,
The flag our fathers fought for; her rippling rills of red
All glorious and victorious; the splendor of her stars--
And I say: "The blood of heroes dyed all her crimson bars."

And for that flag forever, 'gainst foes on sea and shore.
Who shames her? Who defames her? give me my gun once more.
We'll answer when they need us--when the war fires light the night;
There's a Lee still left to lead us to the glory of the fight.

We're one heart forever--we're one in heart and hand;
The flag's a challenge to the sea, a garland on the land;
We're united--one great country; freedom's the watchword still;
There's a Lee that's left to lead us--let the storm break where it will.

"Rejoicing in this union that will henceforth be defended by the brave Texans as valiantly as by Indianians, clothed with authority from the Legislature, which is expressive of the voice of the people, it becomes my pleasant duty to return to your excellency this battle flag, so gallantly carried in war by Terry's Texas Rangers, braver men than whom never drew sword in battle. Take this flag, and may it henceforth be an emblem of unity and good will between the great States of Indiana and Texas and a seal of their fidelity to the national Union."

After music, Gen. Cabell introduced Gov. Sayers, who said: Cold indeed would be the heart that could not be warmed by such a scene as this. A short time ago the President announced that the time had come when it was the duty of the nation to care for the graves of the dead heroes of the South as well as for those of the North. From Maine to California and from far-away Washington to the remote borders of Southwest Texas--all over this country there went up a shout of approval from the people as with one voice. From the mountain top and from the valleys came words of commendation and indorsement.

"You, my ex-Confederate comrades, have listened to the words of eulogy by Gov. Mount of your gallantry and devotion, and on this point let me bear testimony. For fourteen years I represented this people, in part, in Congress, and while during that time in the debates and in speeches many bitter and acrimonious things have been said, I never, during all those years, however fierce passion might burn, heard fall from the lips of a Northern soldier one word, one syllable in disparagement to the Southern soldier.

"I will tell you what is going to happen. This is but the forerunner of other scenes like this. The day is not far distant when all over this country the survivors of the war will meet and celebrate their victories together. The war cost us much. Everything worth having costs labor, anxiety, and oftentimes blood and death. The government, North, East, and West, strong in resources, met the chivalry of the South. Four years of weary, bloody strife ensued, the most gigantic contest of the ages, and finally Appomattox came and Lee surrendered, the great heroic, magnanimous Grant refusing to take his sword. And then Gen. Grant issued his order that that rations be distributed among Lee's starving followers, and that the men take their horses home with them for use on the farms. In what land under what sky, after four years of death and desolation, could you witness such a scene as this, save in our country.

"I only arose to be an organ for the transmission of this flag to these brave men, but my feelings would not permit silence.

"Gov. Mount and staff, when you go home you will take with you the best wishes, the earnest prayers, and the heartiest good will of all this people."

The band played the "Star-Spangled Banner," the entire audience standing and cheering the glorious old anthem.

Gen. H. W. Graber then introduced Hon. James F. Miller, of Gonzales, President of the Terry Rangers' Association, who, on the part of the Rangers, received the flag.

I would add, in regard to this last flag of my regiment, that it was presented to us by Miss Flora McIver and her sister, and was made out of a silk dress of ante-bellum days. John McIver brought the flag to us when we were returning from the last great raid made by Gen. Joseph Wheeler in Tennessee in the fall of 1864. The Rangers saw this flag for the first time when preparing to recross the Tennessee River near Florence, Ala. We were charmed with its beauty, and vowed to defend it, remembering the noble ladies who gave it.

We only had the flag about a month, when it was lost in passing through the woods on the day of the engagement with Gen. Wilder's Cavalry, October 22, 1864. When lost the flag was wrapped in an oilcloth case which slipped off the flagstaff unknown to our standard bearer, Commandant Jones.

 

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