The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-18
THE WASHING roN ARTILLERY FLAG


Editor DepocaNMy attention has been called
to n card published In Sundays paper in refer
ence to tho flag OF tho Washington Artillery,
signed Jas NJ Putnam and Jos. +. Ealer. AS
my name Is mentioned. deem 1t proper to
place myself on the record properly
As to tho history of the flag know nothing
except from hearsay; but when joined the ar
tillery in 1860 the flag was In glass case In the
arsenal on Girod street. and was pointed out
to mo IA tho old flag of the command at the
time they went to Mexico. On its restoration 70
ia II non our reorganization. In 1876. recOgnH
Il ut once Messrs. Putnam and Ealer must
naturally be familiar with it's history.
Mr.. Wilson, of the Washington Artillery. in
formed us that he knew where the old ilag was,
and WAS requested to borrow 1t from the iadles
who had it In charge, and to whom; We under-
stand it had b on given after the four compa-
mics went to Virginia in 1861. The nag was
borrowed. carried on parade ana retu,ned L
at Mr.. Ealer's request Col Walton and myself
called at his residence on JAG kaon t street ana
the Washington Artillery to have the flag: Col.
Walton said nothing would be more gratifying
than to have the flag restored to the Washing
ton Artillery under its reorganization, After
further pleasant conversation, and illusions
being made 10 the silver pitchers presented to
the ladies as complimentary tor their labor and
splendid work. they did present the flag to Col.
Walton for the Washington Artillery. without
any condition attaching. Mr. Ealer h u,
brought the flag down town and placed 1t In his
safe; thence it was taken to the arsenal. on Fer
| dido street.
1t was several times carried on parades and
t tnrse4 ont I the six Being rot
ten from age and use on parades. and the EN-
broidery considerably injured by moths. M rs
new silk without charge, we paying for the
silk and necessary tri nm ngs. estimating the
cost at s75 which would give us the Nag Jag v yn9t
mountedl as good as new l wrote 70 New YORK
aud phiadel phia for samples OF SILK, but coulI
obtain mono that was thought, suitable, and at
the suggestion OF Capt. E. D. Willet.. OF
Holmes l. Co., the tattered remnants were taken
by him to Paris to be tran -ferred and mounted,
and 1t has lately been returned.
done IA well here. as stated in tho card; but
perhaps It could. rs far as the transferring l3
concerned but the stat Ia mnd ornamens con,n
intention to slight the ladies'. and it Is most sin
cerely to be regretted If 1t is SO regarded. We
them of a task-al hough q labor Of love-" still
laborious The cost Was less and the tax upon
tho ladies' avoided.
position to know that the flag was carried TO
Mexico. as 1t appears the Artillery was the
right flank company Of the regiment, and as
companies are not entitled to flags. | am not
surprised TO hear the flag was never taken to
Mexico :" but the men did go. and are entitled
to inscribe Mexico" upon their banner at the
present day.
It is with great regret l am compelled thus to
explain In public print matters that interest the
Mes re- Putnam and Ealer have forced it upon
me by the publication of their unnecessary and
unfortunate card of Sunday morning. placing
the Washington Artillery. through me, its com
mandinR officer. In a wrong light.
thrust have made my understanding OF the
bo the s d
high esteem am. respectfully.
) Artillery.
Since the foregoing was put in print we have
been politely furnished with copy Of the fol
, lowing communication, presented to the meet
. ing of the battalion. which was held last even
= NEW ORLEANS, April IT. 1873
To the Officers and Members OF the Washing
Gen H n nv regret to learn that msunder
standing has grown out OF the following Ian
l guage used in the publication which apDeare
In tie papers of last Sunday, concerning you
: when parties interested in collecting relic
8 for the Centennial Exhibition called upon Mrs
@ Putnam and Mrs. Ealer for loan of the flag :
a exhibit there. these ladies thought a. the Wash
. ington Artillery contemplated visiting the eS
|, Col. Walton and Adjutant Owen promised t
Il Il take charge of it, but for reasons unknown t
# those ladies the battalion did not carry out 1t
" designs"
{, o stood. =.
y not understand why the battalion did not go t
the Centennial without the least intention {
mpydng b bs NOBLE t. ba th1 Droc senseme
The ladies would have liked to have had tn
a flag exhibited at the Centennial as the banne
Z" some regret at its not doing SO was their onl
telling in the matter.
G. The flag was most heartily and cheerful
A. rendered to the battalion, though unattende
=, with the usual display Of form. and has eue
- been considered its propefy and the ladies an
Or their families cherish the memory and histor
3 and undying fame of the Washington Artiiler
r with as much enthusiasm and devotion as an
O. one now connected with 1t can and their Lar
- wish would be. not in the least to detract frol
IS that brilliant record which it's name will alway
T. illustrate
is We must express our heartfelt regrets thu
anything that has been written should hay
caused any unpleasant feeling whatever. as
was far from our intention to do aught ell:
). than correct errors emanatlng from we kno
Is not whence.
at We b. & to assure you. gentlemen. Of our sill
"a cere esteem and respect, and remain, trul
~ your obedient servants.
ly JAS. M. PUTNAM.
JOS. e. EALEk