Flag Of The 22nd Infantry

When the 22nd Michigan Inrantry was quartered at Pontiac, and about to start for Dixie, m the days of the rebéllion, the ladies or the city prescnted the regiment with a handsorne and costly American flag. 'I'he events of the war passed in blood-stained panorama and the glooniy middle period of the struggle witnessed the 22nd Michigan Jnfantry at the field of Chickamauga. The date was Sept. 19 and 20, 1863, and ir. the fearful battle of those days, with the noble 22nd in the midst of the fight, Color-bearer Durkee went down, under the rain of leaden hail, and the colors dropped. They were caught up by anothcr and again borne aloft, for a season. Fiercely the battle raged and 500 men of the regiment were killed, wounded or taken prisoners. The flag was captured and sent to Richraond. After the fall of that stronghold, the 22nd Infantry flag, with others, was surrendered and sent to Washington. Years passed on and the survivors of the regiment began to yearn for the sightof the old flag. It was frayed, perforated with rebel bullets and stained with the brave blood of Color-bearer Durkee and the boys wanted to look upon it again. But it could not be found. It was rumored at different times that this or that ex-rebel officer in Virginia held the flag, but at the end of a correspondence the trail proved a false one. Finally some one discovered it in the war department and wrote a letter concerning it. Col. Dean and Seth C. Randall, of this city, each unknown to the other, wrote to Washington concerning it, Col. Dean to Senator McMillan and Mr. Randall to Congressman Gorman, asking the passage of a bilí for the return of the flag. The senator secured the senate's consent, and Congressman Gorman saw it reported out to the house, and consent was obtained for the flag's return, a committee consisting of Col. Dean and Seth C. Randall, of Ann Arbor, and Lieut. Meade, of St. John's (we think), being appointed to receive it. The flag is now on its way to Michigan, and will be returned to the regiment at the coming encamomerit.