I do not find in this piece of the units history of turning over their colors at Vicksburg. However, here is what they write of the end of the war.

the disbanding. 137

"Headquarters Thomas' Brigade,
Near Mansfield, May 19, 1885.

"This is to certify that Captain A. J. Moss has
honorably served from the loth March, 1862, to this
date, in the Provisional Army Confederate States,
and that this Brigade has from this day disbanded
until further orders. Winchester Hall,

"Colonel commanding Thomas' Brigade."

The 28th Louisiana gathered around the flag they
had long followed with infinite credit. While the
band played a dirge it was torn in pieces, and a piece
given to each member as a memento. Not a word
was spoken, but hardly an eye that was not dimmed
with a tear.

The 26th gathered around its colors. Again a
dirge was played by the band, with Minvielle as its
chief. The colors were taken down and torn in
pieces. Silently, with heavy hearts and eyes that
spoke more than words, each member took a piece.
I broke the staff and burned it.

After the disbanding the 26th took up its line of
march homeward, and maintained its organization
until its members one by one dropped out of the
ranks, as they reached their respective dwellings.

I remained with them until we came to a place
where our routes were in different directions. I
stood in the road, and shook hands with each one
as they filed by me, saying: " Vous avez bien fait
votre devoir."

This simple story of the 26th was written over
twenty years after the war. Its end seems like an-
other leave-taking of the regiment — so much has it
been " in my mind's eye " as I penned these pages.
I should be glad if what I have written impresses
the reader with the esprit de corps of the regiment,
http://archive.org/stream/cu31924030922649/cu31924030922649_djvu.txt