The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-08-26
war Memories.

TIE BATTLE-sCARRED FLAG OF THE LATE C0y-
PEDRRATE STATES ZOUAvE BATTALION RE-
TURNED TO THE SURVIVORS APTER FIFTEEN
YEARS.
Although, with the progress OF time and
the many consequent changes, the memo
ries Of the late civil strife are gradually
giving place to new and varied happenings
tending to fully occupy the public mind,
yet these dormant but still cherished memo
ries are at times yiyidly revived by occur
rences which carry us back to those days
when our people joined 10 mighty strug-
gle against their brethren OF the North
for what they deemed TO be their rights.
One Of these occurrences, which win doubt
less arouse the interest Of many readers OF
the Dispatch, has recently taken place in the
city OF New Orleans, the occasion being
re1nion OF the survivors OF Louisiana Cbas-
seurs-a-Pied and the battalion OF Lou
isiana State Zoulves-consolidated on
the morning OF the battle OF Seven
Pines under the name or the Con-
federate States Zouave battalion. and
commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Gustav
Coppens, and after his death by his younger
brother, Colonel Alfred Coppens. These
troops are too well known TO our people to
need anything more than mere mention
to recall their valiant deeds on the field OF
battle; their record speaks for itself. At
The recent retinion OF these veterans 1t was
formally stated that the honored battle flag
OF the command was in the possession of
Mrs. Colonel Alfred Coppens, widow OF the
last commander OF the battalion, into whose
hands it was placed at the fall Of Richmond,
and by whom it was preserved from the
enemy by sewing il inside the lining Of her
cloak. Sergeant Paul Conrad, the last color
bearer OF the battalion, was then delegated
to come TO Richmond to receive the flag
from Mrs. Coppens. This duty he promptly
performed, and at subsequent meeting OF
the veterans the old bittle-hig was present.
ed and unfuiIed TO the gaze OF those who
had for years fought under its folds. The
occasion was indeed one long to be remem-
bered. The meeting then appointed COM
mittee TO prepare suitable letter OF thanks
to the lady who by her noble action had
been the cause OF so much JOY to them, and
the following j. the result Of their work.
HALL OF THE SURVIVORS OF THE)
CBAssEURS AND ZOUAvEs,
NEW ORLEANS, August IA, 1880.
10 Mrs. Widoc A. CoppenS, Richmond,
Va;
.Madam,-The undersigned. 4 committee
appointed at meeting OF this association
held on the 3lst ultimo, have the honor to
acknowledge at your hands the return OF
the regimental colors OF the late Confederate
States Zouave battalion, which you, with
the devotion OF true southern woman,
took charge OF in the darkest hours Of the
Southern Confederacy and preserved to this
day. Allow us now, in the name OF each
survivor, as well as in the name OF each
hero who gave up his life in defence OF that
old torn and tattered banner, to tender to
you the thanks OF this association, and to
assure you that, although far away, our
hearts have not forgotten the kind and no.
BILE lady who for while shared with Us the
perils and fatigues OF war, and who, in the
preservation OF its banner, did even more
for the honor OF the command than those
who, during four years OF conflict, carried
it triumphant on the battle-fied5 OF the
south. May the choicest blessings Of Hca-
ven descend upon you.
Very respectfully,
joseph DENORUELLE, Chairman;
PAUL CONRAD,
NJ. q. GEORGE,
NJ. T. DUCROS.
Mrs. Colonel Coppens is the younger
daughter OF our felow-townsman Mr.. An
drew Pizzini, Sr., and is residing with her
father in this city.