Who but linger to die.

Rein up your hot horses
And call in your men,--
The trumpet sounds, "Rally
To colors!" again.
Some saddles are empty,
Some comrades are slain
And some noble horses
Lie stark on the plain:
But war's a chance game, boys,
And weeping is vain.

FRANCIS A. DURIVAGE.

AN IMMORTAL TWAIN

IT is a coincidence worthy of note, and heretofore unremarked by
historians, that, as in the hour of birth of the National Flag there was
given to posterity the name of a great Revolutionary hero, the hour of
birth of the Confederate Battle Emblem immortalized the name of a hero
of the Confederacy.

At four o'clock in the afternoon of that hard-fought battle of Manassas
(Bull Run), July 21, 1861, the Federals were thinning out the lines in
gray. Now they were directing their efforts against the wings of Jackson
and Beauregard. Jackson's solemn visage was growing more solemn;
Beauregard was anxiously scanning the landscape beyond, in the hope of
discovering the approach of badly needed reenforcements.

Over the hill a long line was seen advancing. The day was hot and dry
and not a leaf stirred in the dust-laden air. Clouds of smoke and
grime enveloped the advancing troops and obscured their colors.
General Beauregard raised his glass and surveyed them critically.

[Illustration: GENERAL BEAUREGARD RAISED HIS GLASS AND SURVEYED THEM
CRITICALLY.]

He then called an officer and instructed him to go to General Johnston
and inform him that the enemy was receiving reenforcements and it might
be wise for him to withdraw to another point. Still, he was not fully
assured that the coming troops were Federals! The flag hung limp and
motionless and could not be accurately discerned.

If these were Federals the day was surely lost. But if they were
Confederates there was a fighting chance to win.

He determined to hold his position, and called out,

"What troops are those?"

No one could tell. Just then a gust of wind spread the colors. The flag
was the Stars and Bars--General Early's brigade, not a moment too soon.

"We must have a more distinct flag," announced General Beauregard
vehemently, in infinite relief: "One that we can recognize when we see
it."

In that instant was conceived the Confederate Battle Flag, used
thereafter throughout the Civil strife.

After the battle, the design--St. Andrew's Cross--was submitted by