Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-02-21
THE BATTLE FLAGS.
A FULL REPORT UPON THE SUBJECT SENT
TO CONGRESS.
The Secretary Of War Gees Into the History Of the
Banners and Gives Their Number, Condition,
and Present Whersabouts-No
Flags We're Given Up.

WASHINGTON, February a0.-The Sec
retary Of War to-day returned to the
House his answer to the Boutelle resolu-
ton calling for information as to whether
the flags csptured by the United States
have been removed from the place where
they are displayed and concealed, and if so
by what authority and for what purpose,
and further as to what propositions have
been made by the government officials for
the surrender OF these Ags, and whether it
is true that portion of them were actual
ly surrendered to persons having no right
to their possession.
As a preliminary the Secretary gives
BRIEF HISTORY
Of the flags or the whole number clptur-
ed aui deposited with the department,
two hundred and thirty-six were United
States flags, originally captured by Confed-
crates and recaptursd from them, and FIVE
hundred and forty-foar were Confederate
flags taken by United States troops, making
total Of seven hundred and eighty in the
custody of the department. When re-
ceiyed they were deposited in vacant attic
room of building on Seventeenth street
occupied by the clerks Of the Adjutsnt
Generals office. In 1867 the superintend-
ent of the building, without instructions,
so far as can be ascertained, had them re-
moved to his Office, where a few were
placed upon the walls and the remainder
upon shelves or in pigeon holes. At his
time an inventory of these flags was en-
tered in book in which was also entered
DESCRIPTION AND BRIEF HISTORY
of the capture of those that could be iden-
titled as belonging to particular organiza-
tons. They remained here until latter
psrt OF 1874. Is stated that while some of
the Confederate figs have since been given
the companies or regiments capturing them
10 flags have passed out Of the custody of
the department that were in such custody
when Secretary Endicott assun med charge
of the department.
In autumn Of 1874 portion of the flags
were removed from the Office Of
the Superintendent of War Depart
ment business it is presumed by the oral
direction of the then Secretary OF War, to
the Ordinance Museum, in WindeT's build
ing, and there placed on exhibition, and
Others were sent to the same place in 1919.
The larger part of the flags, however, re-
maiucd in the officeof the superintendent.
Such was their custody and place Of de-
posit until October 1892, when all the
flags, including those in the museum were,
by direction of the Secretary OF War,
boxed and stored in room in the sub base
ment Of the new State, War and Navy
building, then first occupied by the War
Department. where they remained till
June, 1897. They were quite inaccessible
in this place and difficult 10 find aud iden-
tify when it became necessary to do go.
1t was also found that they were
DECAYING RAPIDLY,
and by direction Of the present Adjutant-
General they were taken from the boxes
and placed in room in the upper story of
the War Department building, where they
can be easily visited and examined. 1t is
we'll known that in many cases troop, with
the implied, if not the exprees, consent of
the War Department retained the flags
taken from the Confederates in battle, and
during the progress of the war the Secre
tary of War ordered several captured flags
to be restored TO the ciptors.
In April, 1887, the Adiutant General
addressed a letter to the Secretary Of War
in which he suggested the propriety Of re-
turning all the flags, Union and COnte!er
ate, to the authorities otSthe respective
States in which the regiments which had
these colors were organized for such final
as they may determine. This
was submitted to the President
and approved by him. Orders thereupon
issued that letters be sent to tie Govern
ors of the States whose troops carried the
flags deposited in the War Department
to return the same. But before
any of these flags were sent or delivered
under the order thus issued, the President,
upon further consideration, determined
THAT the return OF these flags in the mar
ner contemplated is not authorized by ex
isting law nor justified as an executive
act" The order of the department
AT ONCE REVOKED
and notice thereof daily issued. None Of
the flags were given up. The Secretary
says that no flags have been removed from
the place where they were displayed and
concealed from the public. HeasseIts that
Secretaries Stanton, Belknap, McCrary,
Ramsey and lincoln and the present Sec
retary delivered up altogether some nine-
teen recaptured Union flags. A full de
of the flags remaining il the de-
partment that can be identified accompa-
nies the report.