Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-11-15
. Dinnef In Caanp----sposch from
tseauregard.

dated "Uniou Mills, Noy. - giving an &C
count of dinner on the 31st of October,
given by Captain GILMAN, of the Crescent
City Rifles. Amongst the guests were Gen.
-BEAUREGARD, Prince PeLLGsAe. and othes
notables We make the following extract /:
Prince Polignac, or Col. Pslignac. as he is
called in the army. is young gentleman OF
genial manners, tine intelligence and cOnsn-
mate Accomplishments. Ia recognition OF
toast given by DE-. Chopin, be responded in
a few remarks. delivered in the English lam
guags, and characterised by purity OF ae-
cent and an elegance Of expression which ex
cited the surprise aud admiration of his au-
ditors. When he declared that be was ready
in the cause Of liberty aud the Confederate
stars, to shed his blood, Ia emulation of his
distinguished countryman, the friend and the
companion OF Washington, his words ELECTED
the most unbounded enthusiasm. Nor could
wesfail to appreciate Che magnsnimity of his
reference 90 Lafayette, when we remembered
that the distinguished man was ons of the
most effective instruments of the downfall of
the speakers grandfather, the unfortunate
Prince Polignac, Minister Of Charles X, and
that between them a bitter political and per-
sonal feud existed. Another incident oe this
entertainment was Ii ewise peculiarly inter
estIng. When the newly devised battle-flag
was brought in, Gen. Beauregard related to
the company the motives which led to its
adoption; and as she recital embraces thrill
ling portion of the eventful baerie of Manas
sas, shall endsavor to reproduce it, as near.
ly as possible, In the Generals own words
"On the 2lst July, at about half-past three
O'Clock, perhaps f. 1t seemed to me that vic
tory was already within our grasp. In fact.
up to that moment, had never Wavered in
the conviction that triumph must crown our
arms. Nor was my confidence shaken until,
at the time l have mentioned, observed on
the extreme left, at the distance OF something
more than mile, column of men approach
ing. At their head waved flag which /
could not distinguish. Even by the aid OF a
strong glass / Was unable TO determine
whether it was the United States flag or the
Confederate flag. At this moment received
dispatch from Capt. Alexander, in charge
OF the signal station, warning me to look out
for the left; THAI large column was seen
approaching in that direction. and that it was
supposed 10 be Gen. Pattersonss command
coming to reinforce Mcdowell. At this mo-
msnt, must confess. my heart tailed me. :.
came, reluctantly, to the conclusion that,
after all our efforts, we shonld at last be com.
PEELED to yield TO the enemy the hard fought
and bloody field. / again took the glass to
examine ihe flag Of the approaching column;
but my anxious inquiry was unproductiVe OF
result--I could not tell to which army the
waving banner belonged. At this time all
the members OF my staff were absent, having
| been dispatched, with orders, to various
| points. The only person with me was the
| gallant officer who has recently again distin
| guished himself by brilliant feat of arms
| General, then Col. Evans To him commu
nicated my doubts and my fears. told him
l feared that the approaching force was in
reality Patterson's division; that if such was
| I I.a IA
| upon our reserves, and postpone, till the next
day, a continuationof the engagement After
further reflection / directed Col. Evans to
| proceed TO Gen Johnston, who had assumed
the TASK OF collectinga reserve; to inform him
of the circumstances of the case, and to re.
| quest him to haze the reserves collected with
all dispatch, and hold them in readiness to
support our retrograde movement. ~
Col. Evans started on the mission thus en-
trusted TO him. He had proceeded but a
short distance, when it occurred to me to
make another examination of the still ap-
preaching flag. called him back. Let us,
| said l, wait a few moments, to confirm our
suspicious, before finally resolving to yield
| the field took the glass and again exam
ined the flag. 1t had now come within full
| view. A sudden gust of wind shook out its
| folds, and recognized the stars and bars o!
| the Confederate banner. 1t was the flag
borne by your regiment-Ihere ths General
turned to Col. Hays, who SAT beside him1 the
| gallant 7th Louisiana; and the column oil
which your regiment constituted the ad
vance, was the brigade OF Gen. then Col
Early. As soon as you were recognized by
our soldiers. your coming was greeted with
enthusiastic cheers; regiment after regiment
responded the cry; the enemy heard the tri-
| umphant huzza their attack slackened
they were in turn assailed by our forces, and
within halt an hour from that moment com
meGced The retreat which afterwards became
confused and total rout. - am glad to see
that war-stafned banner cleaning over us al
this festive board; but / hope never again to
see it upon the field of battle"
Gen. Beauregard then explained how the
new battle flag was designed-the reason foI
Its adoption being made sufficiently clear by
| bis lucid and thrilling narrative. The fae
itself is beautiful banner, which am sure
before this campaign is over, willkbe conse
Grated forever in the affectious of the people
of the Confederate States. During the din
ner, as was natural enough, a great number
OF soldiers congregated around the tent, and
| clamored for sight of Gen. Beauregard.-
Col. Hays went out on behalf of the Gene
raj, and made a speech to them, which, O
course, was received with applause; but tbs
men would not be pacified until Gen. Beau
| regard himself was presented TO them, and
until the sound of his voice was heard among
! them. Never have witnessed SO much en-
| thusiasm as when the General assured then
of the qualification he experienced in hear
ing their enthusiastic cheering, and that he
hoped to hear the same voices again on tbs
field OF battle and in the hour of victory.
T~>~~o-k