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   From the balcony of the old Tucker Hotel that stood on the Northeast corner of the McKinney public square, young Ella Harrison presented a flag she had made to Johnson's Spy Company who assembled ready to go join the Confederate Army. At this time General Ben McCulloch's body was on a caisson on the way to his burial site. He had been killed at the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, Arkansas. He was a Confederate hero.

   "Captain Johnson and brave associates. I have wrought with my hands a little flag that I have desired to present to you, to become 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 dauntless sinews and floats over as brave men as the oldest and proudest flag on earth. No fitter hands then yours could bear aloft the proud emblem of our nation. It could play in the breeze over no worthier land.

   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 fields.Your heroic deeds and dauntless courage have woven for you a chaplet more honorable, more enviable then the golden crown worn by the kings of the earth. Your bearing so lofty, so fearless and proud, has won for you the gratitude of our government, the esteem of our gallant men, and the affection of its fair women.

   But..the county still bleeds at every pore and still calls upon her devoted sons to do battle in her holy cause, and to aid in vindicating the rights of men. Although her brow is already encircled with a wreath of glory, and your names embalmed in the hearts of the people of Missouri, Arkansas and Texas still we behold you here today clad in complete armor for the fray,and eager to add yet another deed to the long catalog already performed.

   As a Spy Company you will hold a part of honor in our gallant Army. Much will be expected at your hands,but you are competent to the task. Nobody fears the results. In you we all have unbounded confidence. We feel that future historians will write your deeds in colors of living light and 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 the invaders that wantonly seek to destroy our alters,steel our property, and subjagate and murder our own people....

   Let me present this little flag, hoping that you will love it for the giver's sake and that it may remind you of the loved ones who will pray for you while you are gone.Into your hands I confidently place it, knowing that you will protect and preserve it and 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,General Ben McCulloch, who sacrificed his life in defense of his Country. This loss will be deeply felt throughout the length and breath of our Confederacy, and every eye will be moistened by a tear.... Shall Southern Men stand and see their heroic leader taken from thier midst and not revenge their loss?.... NO, Never,Never, Then Go!...

Your cause is just,and with God and Our Rights as our motto you will march straight on to Victory and Glory."

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Ben McCulloch needed information and chose Alfred Johnson to organize and Independent Spy Company and report directly to the General. Captain Johnson hand picked his men. "They all had to have good outfits and know how to use them, "said Johnson and Ex Republic of Texas Soldier and Texas Ranger Indian Fighter. The Spy Company soon made a name for itself in Arkansas. Drury Connally called their scouts,"Hunting Feds."

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Mike Thompson