The Osceola times., 1881-02-26
THE CONFEDERATE BATTLE-FLAG.
An Interesting Account of Its Origin, as
Given by Gen. Beaurfgard.
New Orleans Plcayune

Given by Gen. Beaurfgard.
New Orleans Plcayune.
Carlton Mccarthy, in the current num-
Der of the " Southern Historical Society
Papers" writes the following sketch of
the origin of the Confederate battle flag,
deriving his facts from speech of Gen
Beauregard.
1t was at the battle of Manassas,
about o'clock of the afternoon of the
Dist of July, 1861, when the fate of the
Coniederacy seemed trembling in the
balance, that Gen. Beauregard, looking
across the Warrenton turnpike, whic.
passed through the valley between the
position of the Confederates and the
elevations beyond, occupied by the Fed
eral line, saw body of troops moving
toward his left and the Federal right
He was greatly concerned to know, but
could not decide, what troops they were
whether Federal or Confederate. The
similarity of uniform and of the coloIs
carried by the opposing armies, and the
clouds of dust, made it almost impossi-
ble to decide.
Shortly before this time Gen. Beaure-
gard had received from the signal officer.
Capt Alexander, a dispatch saying that
from the signal station in the rear he had
sighted the colors of this column, droop-
ing and covered with the dust of Jour
neyings, but could not tell whether they
were the stars and stripes or the stars
and bars. He thought, however, they
were probably Patterson's troops arriy-
ing on the field and re-enlorcing the
enemy.
Gen. Beauregard was momentarily ex-
pecting help from the right, and the
uncertainty and anxiety of this hour
amounted to anguish. Still the column
pressed on. Calling Il staff officer. Gen.
Beauregard instructed him to 90 at once
10 Gen. Jackson, at the Lewis House,
and say that the enemy were receiving
rc-cntorcemcnts, that the troops on the
plateau were very much scattered, and
that he would be compelled to retire to
the Lewis House and there reform hop
ing that the troops ordered up from the
right would arrive in time to enable him
to establish and hold the new line.
Meanwhile, the unknown troops were
pressing on. The day was sultry, and
only at long intervals was there the
slightest breeze. The colors of the mys-
tcrious column hung dropping on the
staff. Gen. Beauregard tried again and
again TO decide what colors they carried.
He used his glasses repeatedly, and
handing it to others begged them to look
hoping that their eyes might be keener
than his.
Gen. Beauregard was in state
of great anxiety, but finally determined
to hold the ground, relying on the prom
ised help from the right, knowing that
if it arrived in time victory might be
secured, but feeling also that if the
mysterious column should be Federal
troops the day was lost.
suddenly puff of wind spread She
colors TO the breeze. 1t was the Con-
fcderate tlag-the stars and bars! 1t was
Early, with the oath Virginia, the 7th
Louisiana and the the 18th Mississippi.
The column had by this time reached
the extreme right of the Federal lines.
The moment the flag was recognized
Beauregard turned to his staff right and
left, saying, "See that the day is ours"
and ordered an immediate advance. In
the meantime Early's brigade deployed
into line and charged the enemy's right;
Elzey also dashed upon the field, and in
an hour not an enemy was to be seen
south Of Bull Run
While on the field and suffering this
terrible anxiety, Gen. Beaurecard de-
termined.that the Confederate soldier
must have flag so distinct from that Of
the enemy that no doubt should ever
again endanger his cause ON the field of
battle.
Soon after the battle he entered into
correspondence with Col. VIM. Porcher
Miles, who had served on his staff dur
ing this day, with view of securing his
aid in the matter, and proposing a blue
field, red bars, crossed, and gold stars.
They discussed the matter at length
Col. Miles thought ii was contrary to
the laws of hcraldry that the ground
should he blue, the bars red and the
stars gold. He proposed that the ground
should be red, the bars blue and the
stars white.
Gen. Beauregard approved the change,
and discussed the matter freely with
Gen. Johnston. Meanwhile it became
known that the design for FLAG was un-
der discussion, and many designs were
sent in. The matter was freely discussed
at headquarters, till finally, when he
arrived at Fairfax Court House, Gen.
GERMANY to make drawings of all the
various designs which had been submit
ted. With these designs before them
the officers at headquarters agreed on
the famous old banner-the red field.
the blue cross and the white stars. The
flag was then submitted TO the War De-
partment and was approved.
The first flags sent to the army were
presented to the troops of Gen. Beaure-
gard in person, he then expressing the
hope and confidence that it would be-
come the emblem of honor and of vic
tory.
The first three flags received were
made from "lades' dresses" by the
Misses Carey, of Baltimore and Alex
andria, at their residences and the resi-
dences of friends, as soon as they could
get description of the design adopted.
One of the Misses Carey sent the flag
she made to Gen. Beauregard. Her
sister sent hers TO Gen. Van Dom, who
was then at Fairfax Court House. Miss
Constance Carey, of Alexandria, sent
hers to Gen. Joseph f. Johnston.
Gen. Beauregard sent the flag he re-
ceiyed at once to New Orleans for safe
keeping. After the fall of New Orleans,
Mrs. Beauregard sent the flag by a Span
ish man-of-war, then laying in the river,
opposite New Orleans, to Cuba, where il
remained to the Gloss of the war, when
it was returned to Gen. Beauregard, who
presented it for safe keeping to the
Washington Artillery Of New Orleans