[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, May 1, 1862, p. 1, c. 5

Address of Miss E. J. Harrison, (12 years old)
on presenting a Confederate flag to Capt. Johnson's
Spy Company, at McKinney, Texas, on the 27th
March, 1862. Presented over the remains of Gen.
Ben. McCullogh, draped in mourning.

Capt. Johnson and Brave Associates—

I have wrought with my own hands a little flag, that I have desired to present to you, to be your company emblem.

It is the emblem of our country's glory. Around it cluster all the fond hopes of a people now struggling to be free. It is young it is true—scarce one year old; but it is like a blazing star, seen for the first time in the deep blue vault of Heaven. It is grasped by as dauntless sinews, and flaunts over as brave men, as the oldest and proudest flag of earth. No fitter hands than yours, could bear aloft this proud emblem of our nationality. It could play in the breezes over no worthier band. When our bleeding country called upon her gallant sons to rally to her rescue, you heard the call, and sprang with alacrity into the tented field.

Your heroic deeds and dauntless courage, have woven for you a chaplet more honorable and more enviable than the golden crown worn by the kings of earth.

Your bearing so lofty, so fearless, so prudent, and at the same time so valuable, has won for you the gratitude of your government, the esteem of its gallant men, and the affection of its fair women. But that country still bleeds at every pore, and still calls on her devoted sons to do battle in her holy cause, and to aid in vindicating the rights of man.

Although your brow is already encircled with a wreath of glory, and although your name is already embalmed in the hearts of the people of Missouri, Arkansas and Texas, still we behold you here to-day, clad in complete armour and surrounded by a spartan band of tried and true men, all ready for the fray, and eager to add yet another and more daring deeds to the long catalogue hitherto performed.

As a Spy Company, you will hold a post of honor in our gallant army. Much will be expected at your hands, but you are competent to the task. Nobody fears the result. In you we have the most unbounded confidence. We feel that the future historian will write your deeds in colors of living light, and that future generations will rise up to do honor to your memories.

And now as you go forth, with stout hearts, and strong arms, to drive back a ruthless invader, that wantonly seeks to immolate our altars, steal our property, subjugate and murder our people.

Let me present to you this little flag, hoping that you will love it for the giver's sake, and that it may remind you of the loved ones that will pray for you while you are gone. Into your hands I confidently commit it—knowing that you will protect and preserve it; that you will do honor to the proud State you represent, and that you will assist much in relieving the distress of our grossly insulted country.

You behold before you the remains of our lamented friend and soldier, Gen. Ben. McCullough, who has sacrificed his life in defence of his country. His loss will be deeply felt throughout the length and breadth of our Confederacy, and every eye will be moistened with a tear. Shall Southern men stand and see their heroic leaders taken from their midst and not avenge their loss? No never—never—never. Then go, your cause is just, and with "God and our rights" for a motto you will march straight on to glory and to victory.