Gen. Steedman And The Flag

I1 rom Col. H. S. Dean's address and history of the now restored 22d Iafantry battle flag, deliveredat Pontiac on the 3oth, is takea the following. Maj. Gen. Steedman, speaking of the conduct of the regiment at Chicamauga, Ga., said: "The 22d Michigan saved the Union army that day." As the shades of night were gathering the Union forces were withdrawn, leaving the 22d Michigan Infantry to hold the position it had captured, at a fearful cost of Ufe and precious blood. On the morning of Sept. 20, 1863, there were present for duty 584 men. Co. B, with 60 men, was detailed for guard duty at Gen. Granger's headquarters, and 40 men were left in camp, leaving 484 officers and men who went into the engagement. Of this number more than 18 per cent, almost 19 per cent, were killed or wounded, being a arger loss than was sustained by any other Michigan regiment during the war, in any single engagement. While bearing this flag aloft on that terrible Sunday afternoon, Color Sergt. Philo G. Durkey, or Co. A, was struck in in the breast by a grape shot, and feil forward clasping it to his heart, placing the seal of his devotion upon its folds. Corp. Richard A. Stansell, of Co. H, took these colors from brave Durkey's dying embrace, and he, too, sealed his devotion to this flag with his life. Corp. Pearl L. Mitchell, of Co. A, grasped the colors and raised them aloft amid the fearful leaden hail; a shot carried away his left arm, when Corp. Jonathan A. Vincent, of Co. C, seized and waved them defiantly in the face of the enemy, but he, too, soon feil severely wounded, when Sergt. Oscar Kendall, of Co. C, took the flag and carried it until the close of the engagement.