“Dallas, Texas, September 30, 1898.
“Col. H. W. Graber, Quartermaster-General Trans-Mississippi Department, U. C. V.:
“My Dear Sir: Referring to the conversation we had in reference to the colors of your old command, which had been lost during the late Civil War, on October 13, 1864, in a battle near Coosaville, Ala., by my comrade and our mutual friend, Maj. J. J. Weiler, of the 17th Indiana, who had, under instructions, turned the flag over to the State of Indiana, where it now reposes in the State library at Indianapolis, and which you are now endeavoring to have returned to the remnant of your old command—as an old soldier, Colonel, I can readily understand the beautiful sentiment which is so characteristic of the American soldier in the desire of yourself and comrades to secure the colors under which you passed through so many dangers, which are now passed and gone, leaving only the memories of a struggle which has resulted, with all its sufferings and animosities, in bringing us closer together, and we now drink out of the same canteen, sheltered and protected by one common flag, and in this connection, at your request, it is with pleasure I give the episode relating to the return of the flag of the 57th Indiana Infantry by Texas, in 1885. While commanding the Department of Texas, Grand Army of the Republic, in 1885, Parsons’ Confederate Brigade held their annual reunion at Cleburne, Texas. Myself and others who wore the blue were the honored guests of the brigade. During the proceedings, Major Heath and Capt. W. G. Veal called my attention to the fact that a brave soldier (a corporal) of the 13th Tennessee, now a resident and citizen of Texas, had in his possession and on the grounds the regimental flag and colors of the 57th Indiana, which he had captured at the Battle of Franklin, Tenn., in December, 1864, and had taken careful care of for twenty years, hoping that he would find some representative of that regiment to whom he could return this priceless and precious relic. I received the valued colors from the brave soldier and immediately conferred with Department Commander of the State of Indiana, and was informed that the 57th would hold their annual reunion during the month of September of the current year, and they earnestly requested that Texas be present in person at that time for the return of their long-lost colors. We arranged that Capt. W. G. Veal and Maj. E. M. Heath, of the Confederate Veterans, and Corporal W. M. Crooks, the brave soldier who had captured the colors, should accompany myself and staff to the reunion at Kokomo, taking with us the flag.
“It is needless to give you the incidents of the trip further than that Indiana threw her doors open to give the old Texans who had met them on the field, a royal reception, and Corporal Crooks was received with open arms by the boys in blue, whom he had last met at the point of the bayonet on the field of battle; and the return of that precious relic that had spread its silken folds over the brave Hoosier boys in many a hard-fought battle, wiped out the animosities engendered by the war, especially between Indiana and Texas, and Corporal Crooks occupies an enviable niche in the war history of the Hoosier State, and the boys in blue and the boys in gray are now marching elbow to elbow, side by side, for the honor and integrity of our common country, and I can assure you, Colonel, that when you make the application for the return of your colors it will be as much of a heartfelt pleasure for Indiana to return the flag as for Texas to receive it.
“Sincerely yours,
“W. D. WYLIE,
“Past Commander Dept. of Texas, G. A. R.”
And, Whereas, As shown by the correspondence of Governor Mount with Gen. J. T. Wilder and Gen. A. O. Miller, that they severally approve such return, which correspondence is as follows:
“Lebanon, Indiana, January 30, 1899.
“Gov. J. A. Mount: