March Of Sergeant Bates  "Brave Union Veteran"  1868

In 1868, the Radical Republicans had taken over the governments of the former Confederate states and were imposing harsh and punitive stipulations upon their reconstruction into the Union. Despite all the political bitterness in the nation, a Wisconsin farmer and former sergeant in the Union army, Gilbert H. Bates, believed "the Southern people had resumed their affection for the flag and the Union." To prove his theory, Bates resolved to march through the South carrying a large American flag. He decided to make the march alone and without a weapon. He would not even carry money with him, depending on the kindness, charity, and patriotism of his former enemies food and lodging.

Bates began the trek in Vicksburg, Miss., the former Confederate city that had been mercilessly bombarded and starved by besieging Union forces. The flag he carried, the Stars and Stripes, was handmade by Vicksburg's women. Bates marched for three months, proudly holding the flag high everywhere he went. Much of the brave sergeant's route went through the area that Union Gen. William T. Sherman's forces had devastated during the famous march through Georgia and the Carolinas. Bates reported that everywhere he went, he and the flag found only "blessings and thanks and kindness." Southern homes provided Bates with food, lodging, and encouragement throughout his 1,400 mile journey.

Bates completed his long march at the former Confederate capitol building in Richmond, VA, in April. He was greeted by booming cannons and throngs of Virginians, who cheered him as he climbed to the capitol dome and waved his flag over the building that countless thousands of Union and COnfederate soldiers had died while trying to capture or defend. Bates was right in his belief that most Southerners revered the flag and the Union, but it would be more than nine more years before the Radical Republican national government accepted that fact.

Fascinating Fact:  In 1872, Bates marched to London, England, from the Scottish border. He wanted to prove that the rancor the Civil War had bred between the Union and England had healed. He once again was given a warm and rousing reception.


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