Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-11
THE CONFEDERATE BATTLE FLAG.

Under this head the MORNING NEWS recently
copied an extract from the Baltimore Sun in
regard to the origin of the Confederate battle
flag, and the manufacture of the first supply
furnished the army at Manassas.
In justice to your once honored fellow citi-
zen, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, desire to state
that his version of the matter varies con-
siderably from that given by the Sun, which is
condensed from Mr.. Carlton Mccarthy s article
in the Southern Historical Papers
This writer says General Beauregard de-
termined that the Confederate soldier must
have flag distinct from that of the enemy. :"
General Johnston says: 81 determined to have
colors for use before the enemy made for the
army, and asked GD the army for designs :"
OF the many designs offered, he selected one
of several presented by General Beauregard
which he altered from an oblong to square
shape. So much for the origin of the flag.
General Johnston says ''the proper nurnber''
of these flags was then made under tile di
rection OF Major w. L. Cabell, the Chief Quar-
termaster of the army, and paid for with funds
in his hands for military purposes Mr. Nc
Carthy says 'the first three flags received were
made from ladies' dresses by the Misses Cary
of Baltimore aud Alexandria, at their resi-
deuces and at the residences Of friends. as
design adopted" So much for the manufac.
ture of the first flags. 1t now remains for
somebody to reconcile the differences In the
two statements.
PERSONAL MENTION.
Mr.. Harry H. Plumb, formerly OF Augusta.
IS now connecUe0 Win the r6poFtOF1al corps of
the Post-AppeGl, Wallace P. Reed, ESQ, hav-
ing been promoted to State news editor for
which he Is admirably suited.
The many friends Of Col. ]. H. Estill, the
enterpFising proprietor Of the MORNING News
will be glad to know that in response to a cali
for his picture, Horace Bradley, the gifted
sketch artist Of this city, has sent one to Frank
LesLie's Illustrated Newspaper for publication.
After many wanderings and Vicissitudes.
some OF which have been wayward and hard
Tom Blodgett. ex-Collector Of Customs at st
Mary's, is again in Atlanta. He left here well
dIesSed dandy and sporting man, but comes
back ragged, dirty, foot-sore tramp. He was
once an active Christian here, but wine, women
and cards wrought his speedy ruin.
Gen. Joseph K. Hawley, of Connecticut the
successor OF Senator w. w. Eaton, Is an old
newspaper editor, and was a Captain in the
Third Connecticut Regiment at Bull Run where
he fought the Eighth Georgia Regiment In
which were the OglethorpSs, ok Savannah. He
was q good Gdltor End q brave soldier, and win
make afl abie Senator on the Republican side
Az there are several West Pointers in Savan-
nah It nay be of interest to state that Frederic
Paulding, the young tragedian, is the son of
Lieut. Col. Richard /. Dodge, "a the Twenty
third Infantry, having dropped his family name
In his professional engagements. Col. Dodge
Ii a North Garolinian, and graduated from
West Point in1948. His son, therefore. may
be considered in one sense Southern actor
desire 20 say kind farewell word of Col
IT. Fl. Iones, who announces his retirement
frem the Macon Telegraph and Messenger. OF