The Russellville Democrat., 1881-02-17
THE CONFEDERATE BATTLE-FLAG.
An Interesting Account of Its Origin, as Given by Gen. Beauregard.
 New Orleans Picaynne.

New orleans Pieayune
 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 a speech of Gen. Beauregard.
 " It was at the battle of Manassas, about o'clock of the afternoon of the 2lst of July, 1861, when the fate of the Confederacy 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 colors 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, 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 arriv- ing on the field and re-enforcing 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 a staff officer, Gen. | Beauregard instructed him to go at once | to Gen. Jackson, at the LewIs House, and say that the enemy were receiving re-enforcements, 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- l terious column hung dropping on the staff. Gen. Beauregard tried again and | again to decide what colors they carried l He used his glasses repeatedly, and | handing it to others begged them to look | hoping that their eyes might be keeneI | than his.
 | ten. Beauregard was in a 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 the colors to the breeze. 1t was the Con. federate hag-the stars and bars! It was Early, with the 24th Virginia, the Eth 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, saving, "See that the day is ours!' and ordered an immediate advance. Ir the meantime Early's brigade deployed into line and charged the enemy's right Elzey also dashed upon the field, and ir an hour not an enemy was to be seer south of Bull Run.
 While on the field and suffering this terrible anxiety, Gen. Beauregard de termined that the Confederate soldier must nave a flag so distinct from that O the enemy that no doubt should evel again endanger his cause on the field o battle.
 Soon after the battle he entered into correspondence with Col. Wm. Porchel Miles, who had served on his staff dur ing this day, with view of securing hi aid in the matter, and proposing blue field red bars, crossed, and gold stars
 They discussed the matter at lengtl Col Miles thought it was contrary {, the laws of heraldry that the ground should be blue, the bars red and tho stars gold He proposed that the ground should be red, the bars blue and thu stars white.
 Gen. Beauregard approved the change and discussed the matter freely witt Gen. Johnston. Meanwhile it becam, known that the design for flag was un der discussion, and many designs wer sent in. The matter was freely discussed at headquarters, till finally, when h. arrived at Fairfax Court House, Gen Beauregard caused his draughtsman (i German) to make drawings of all tn various designs which had been submit ted. With these designs before then the officers at headquarters agreed ol the famous old banner-the red field the blue cross and the white stars. Tn flag was then submitted to the War De partment and was approved.
 The first flags sent to the army wer presented to the troops of Gen. Beaure gard in person, he then expressing tn hope and confidence that it would be come the emblem of honor and of vic tory.
 The first three flags received wer made from ladies dresses" by tn Misses Carey, of Baltimore and Alex andria, at their residences and the res dences of friends, as soon as they coul get description of the design adopted One of the Misses Carey sent the fla she made to Gen. Beauregard. He sister sent hers to Gen. Van Dorn, wh
 was then at Fairfax Court House. Mis
 Constance Carey, of Alexandria, ser
 hers to Gen. Joseph +. Johnston. Gen. Beauregard sent the flag he re
 ceiyed at once to New Orleans for sai
 keeping After the fall of New 0rlean i, Mrs. Beauregard sent the flag by a Spar
 ish man-of-war, then laying in the rive
 opposite New Orleans, to Cuba, where
 remained to the closs of the war, whe it was returned to Gen. Beauregard, wh
 presented it for safe keeping to tn ,, Washington Artillery of New Orlean