have freely given him for freedom
and my country. Next to my husband's cold remains, the dearest object
left to me in the world, is that flag--the flag that waved in proud
defiance over the works of Fort Pillow! Soldiers! this flag I give to
you, knowing that you will ever remember the last words of my noble
husband, '_never surrender the flag to traitors_!'"
Colonel Jackson received from her hand--on behalf of his command--the
blood-stained flag, and called upon his regiment to receive it as such a
gift ought to be received. At that call, he and every man of the
regiment fell upon their knees, and solemnly appealing to the God of
battles, each one swore to avenge their brave and fallen comrades, and
never, _never surrender the flag to traitors_.
MILITARY HEROINES.
The number of women who actually bore arms in the war, or who, though
generally attending a regiment as nurses and vivandieres, at times
engaged in the actual conflict was much larger than is generally
supposed, and embraces persons of all ranks of society. Those who from
whatever cause, whether romance, love or patriotism, and all these had
their influence, donned the male attire and concealed their sex, are
hardly entitled to a place in our record, since they did not seek to be
known as women, but preferred to pass for men; but aside from these
there were not a few who, without abandoning the dress or prerogatives
of their sex, yet performed skillfully and well the duties of the other.
Among these we may name Madame Turchin, wife of General Turchin, who
rendered essential service by her coolness, her thorough knowledge of
military science, her undaunted courage, and her skill in command. She
is the daughter of a Russian officer, and had been brought up in the
camps, where she was the pet and favorite of the regiment up to nearly
the time of her marriage to General Turchin, then a subordinate officer
in that army. When the war commenced she and her husband had been for a
few years residents of Illinois, and when her husband was commissioned
colonel of a regiment of volunteers she prepared at once to follow him
to the field. During the march into Tennessee in the spring of 1862,
Colonel Turchin was taken seriously ill, and for some days was carried
in an ambulance on the route. Madame Turchin took command of the
regiment during his illness, and while ministering kindly and tenderly
to her husband, filled his place admirably as commander of the
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