March 13, 1861, Dallas Herald
We tender our thanks to Lieut. Miller, of Lancaster, for the present of the United States Flag, the genuine Stars and Stripes, taken at Camp Cooper, at the time of the surrender of that post to the State troops. This was the first flag surrendered to the State of Texas, in her new sovereignty, and we accept it from our gallant friend, with feelings of mingled pride and sorrow. This glorious old banner that once floated so proudly o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave, now tattered and torn, shall always be honored as the proudest trophy of the late contest. The Stars that shine in its azure field, although with lustre dimmed, still shed their mournful beams as if in sorrow o’er the fate of our once glorious union.–The memories that cluster around the dear old banner, shall ever be held sacred, while we feel a buoyant pride in the consciousness that our first allegiance is due the sovereignty of Texas. We do not exult and rejoice that the Stars and Stripes are lowered, but the heart of the patriot should leap for joy, to know that the Lone Star of Texas is now in the ascendancy, and our banner floats over men as brave and homes as free, as o’er in times of old. All thanks to the gallant Lieutenant–we will preserve the dear old flag, with pride and affection.