Bates II.

This is coolbert:

Bates, 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery. American Civil War.

From the Coffee or Die webzine of the Black Rifle Coffee Internet web site the article by Matt Fratus.

A feel good story.

"THE MAN WHO MARCHED A US FLAG ACROSS THE SOUTH 3 YEARS AFTER THE CIVIL WAR"

"Sgt. Gilbert Bates was a Civil War veteran of the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery Regiment. Bates had returned to Wisconsin as a farmer when he told some neighbors he thought he could march across the just-defeated rebel states of the South wearing his old Union uniform and carrying an American flag. He thought the country, after the trauma of the war, was united and would welcome him."

THIS WAS EVEN SEEN AT THE TIME AS A FOOLHARDY GESTURE, FRAUGHT WITH DANGER. NOT SURE OF WHAT THE RECEPTION WOULD BE SOME SUGGESTING BATES MIGHT EVEN BE KILLED!!

"The complete opposite happened. Bates was treated to dinners, parties, and parades provided by crowds of welcoming Southerners present to cheer on the faith Bates had in them." 

That Great Compromise as agreed upon in the aftermath of the American Civil War. 1. Southerners generally agreeing it was probably better the Union was preserved [it was] and 2. Northerners generally agreeing that the Southerner had indeed fought very bravely for his cause [he did] and should be accorded respect for having done so.

Please also do not confuse Gilbert Bates with another Bates from the era of the American Civil War. 

coolbert.