A brave standard Bearer.
--At the battle of Shilon, two of the standard bearers of the ‘"Confederate Response Battalion"’ were cut down early in the action, when
Major Clack called out for a volunteer to hear the standard.
Private Harris, a gallant soldier, resident in the Fourth District, and a member of the police, stepped forward and offered to bear the flag withers cover his commander directed him. ‘"Take that flag, sir, and never yield as long as you can hold it,"’ exclaimed
Major Clack. ‘"Aye!
aye! sir,"’ responded
Harris.
Shortly afterwards, there being some hesitation in the line, the gallant General of the Brigade,
J. Patton Anderson, rode up, and grasping the flag-staff which
Harris was waving in front of the line, ordered him to deliver it to him.
Harris refused, and told the
General to let go the flag, as he was ordered not to give it up, adding, ‘"I will take it wherever you command me."’ ‘"Then you will do; go ahead,"’ ordered the
General; and
Harris solely advanced with the standard; the whole line followed him and swept over the batteries, carrying everything before them.
Throughout the subsequent conflict
Harris bore the standard, and even when his right hand was badly shot, he clung to it with the left, and never relinquished it until our victory was complete
Harris's wound proved a severe one, and he has come home to have it properly attended to. The standard of the
Confederates was riddled with bullets, and presents a very tattered aspect, but it will ever be a noble and proud trophy of the courage and resolution of the man who bore it so nobly through all the terrible scents of that eventful day.--
N. O. Delta.