The Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board

SAving the 1st AR US Flag by Colored Man

FORT SMITH NEW ERA, May 21, 1864, p. 2, c. 4

Noble Conduct.

That our colored troops display excellent fighting qualities has been established beyond a doubt; but that they can also be possessed of considerable esprit de corps, a little incident at the crossing of the Saline swamp and river ably [?] demonstrates.

"Pete," a colored man, is attached to Headquarters of the 1st Ark. Inft., and during the whole campaign showed much soldierly pluck. When in that dreadful Saline bottom the wagons had to be destroyed for want of animals, and almost every particle of baggage had to be destroyed, the large fine flag which the ladies of Van Buren had presented to the 1st Ark. Inft. was threatened to share a like fate. Pete couldn't stand this, but rolled it up and carried it on his back all the way to Little Rock and from there to this place, rather dispensing with some necessary article himself than abandon the "flag." Hurrah for Pete!

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SAving the 1st AR US Flag by Colored Man
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Presentation of the Flag Later Saved