Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-17
A RELIC OF THE WAR.
The Montgomery Guards COlOrs Con-
nded to the Hibernian sOciety's Keep

The Montgomery Guards Colors Con-
f1ded to the Hibernian SOciety's Keep
ing.
Capt. Christopher Murphy has delivered
to Mr.. Charles f. Prendergast, Secretary
of the Hibernian Society, the first flag Of
the Montgomery Guards. The flag, which
is rich in historical associations, is to be
presented to Capt. Guilmartin as Presi-
dent of the society, and is to remain here
after in its possession. The face of the
flag is of green silk, upon which is a cross
in gold chenille. Above the cross is the
motto "In hoe signO 1tRceS," and under
the cross are the words God
and our rights" The reverse is
OF white watered silk. On it is
worked a harp, about which twnes a
shamrock. Beneath the harp is the name
of the company, Montgomery Guards"
Above the harp are twelve bright stars,
typical Of the Contederacy. The banner
is heavily fringed with green and gilt
tasseling. 1t is A inches long, and 81
wide.
Its history is this: In 1881, when the
Guards were organized, Capt. Gulmartin
requested the Sisters of Mercy to make
him banner. On st. Patrck's day, 1862,
the flag was presented to the company,
1
laski. Major Foley made the presentation
speech in behalf of the Captain. A few
weeks later Gen. @. A. Gilmore compelled
the fort to surrender. The prisoners were
sent first to Hilton Head, later to Cover
nor's Island. n. Y, and afteTward to Fort
Delaware. The banner was highly priced
by the company and they managed to keep
it in their possession during the whole
time. Every possible plan was resorted
RI in r6 70 ba
from discovering it. Sometimes 1t was
hid about the clothing. Once or twice it
was passed from hand to hand behind the
backs Of the company while the officers
were making an inspection from the front.
While at Governors Island it was
quietly rumOred that the colOr-hearer of
the company contemplated taking the
oath and remaining North. This
alarmed the other members, and a few
nights before the company was trans
ferred to Fort Delaware, the flag was
secretly taken from the color-bearer. He
was asleep at the time, with his head
resting upon his knapsack. Mr.. T. II.
Laird, now Port Warden of Savannah,
gently raised the sleeper's head off the
knapsack while two others hurriedly re-
moved the flag. The knapsack was then
replaced. The color-bearer did stay North,
but he did not mention anything about
summated and the prisoners reached the
truce boat, one of the men drew the flag
from his bosom and waved it above his
head. A Yankee officer offered 500 for it
and another $500, but the company would
not part with it., and it was brought back
to Savannah.
When the company was reorganized the
flag was carried along. 1t went safely
through the rest of the war, and was at
the last battle, at Bentonyille, N. G. 1t
has ever since been in the possession of
Capt. Murphy, VINO was then in COM
mand. Upon learning recently OF Capt.
Guilmartin's connection with the banner,
Capt. Murphy decided to present it to the
society Of which he is President. The
presentation will take place at an early
meeting.
The flag has been well preserved,
although the silk is somewhat stained and
the gilt furnished. 1t will be placed in a
glass case in the rooms of the society.