The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1863-11-18

THE FLAGS CAPTURED AT RaPPAHANNoCK STA
TIoN.-The Confederate iaas captured at the fgl
al Happahannock Station, On the 7th inst, were
formally presented 10 Gen. Meade, on the Iltb.
correspondent Of the New York Herald gives this
account Of the ceremony:
Major Gen. John Sedgwick, commanding the
right wing sf the army; Gen. Wright, command
Ing the Sixth army corps; Gen. Russell, command
ing virgins division, aud Col Upton, command
Ing Rlsseli's brigade, with their respective stats.
came Oh the ground in front Of army headquarters
and escorted by Russeli's brigade. The latter was
drawn up In line. when the band played som.
lively music, and Gen. Meade appeared before the
gallant boys Of the Fihh Wisconsin, Fihh ami
Sixth Maine, and the One Hundred and Twenty
first New York.
sol Upton then presented 10 General Meade the
eight battle flags taken by his brigade, saying that
two or more Of them from the regiments Of
Stonewal Jackson's old brigade and adding that
he was satisfied that his soldiers could always be-
depended upon for the performance of similar ser
vices. Gen. Meade replied as follows:
I receive with great satisfaction the battle flags,
evidences Of the good conduct and gallantry yOu
displayed the 7th inst, in the assault upon the
| enemy's position ~ Rappahannock Station, en-
trenched with redOubis and rifle pits, and defended
by artillery and infantry. Carried as ii was, AT
the point of the bayOnet, # was work which
could only be executed by the best of soldiers
Aud the result, Of which You may Justly be proud
gives me great confidence that in future operations
! can implicitly rely on the men under my com
mand doing. when called on, all that men can do.
And although it is my desire TO place you In such
positions To avoid II possible recurfipg to such
severe tests. yet there are occasions, such rs the
recent one, when il Is the only and best to
pursue; and TO feel, as do now, that command
men aDle and willing 10 meet and overcome snc!,
obstacles, s a &C great satisfaction. shall
transmit these flags to the War Department.
have already reported your good conduct, and re-
ceived and transmitted to your commanders the
approval Of the President. I shall prepare, as
soon as receive the requ site information, gene
raj order, in which 1t is my desire to do justice to
all the troops wiro have distinguished themselves,
aud Ii Is my purpose, by every means in my power,
To have those soldiers rewarded who have a,eried
such distinction. In the name of the army and
the country thank you f0kthe services you have
rendered, particularly for the exdmpla You have
set, which do,rht not future occasions will be
followed and emuiated.'
The hags were all aiike-stars on a blue cross
and red ground. The 9Th Louisiana flag, inscribed
with the ". rds, ssWinchesier, ,, MANASSAS - &C.,
Maine; second by Capt Shackleford, of company
A, 5th Maine; third by Lieut. A. s. Lyon, of
company X. 5th Maine; 4 fourth by private Philip
smith OF the l2lst New York: fifth by private
Silas Waterman, OF the l2lst New York; n sixth
by James II. Littieseid, Of company F, 5th Maine,
inscribed with the names Of .'Cedar kun,' and
"Manassas' ''Second Iiarpers Ferry Sharps-
burg, "Wlnchester, ''ChanceliOrsviiIe, - Fred
.ricksburg." "Gcttysburg;" the seventh by Cor
poral E. +. BIondil, of company D, 5th Maine. in
scribed "Manassas," s'Seven Pines," "Gaines's
Farm "Maivern Ill.," s'Ethain's Landing.'-
ing torn up the flag before il WAS taken.
The pieces were picked up, however, and are
being sewed together for future presentation.
As feat of arms there is no question hut the ac-
hon of the 7th inst. the best and cleanesl OPP
Grafton OF the war. W. may well be proud of it.