The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-21
THE BATTLE-FLAGS.

Secretary EndicoGts Reply tn the Resolution
introduced by Mr.. Boutelle.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-Tho Secretary of War
to-day returned to the House his answer to the
BoutelIe resolution calling for information as
to whether tie flags captured 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 government officials for the surrender OF
these flags, snc whether it is true that portion
Of them were actually surrendered to persons
having right to their possession. As pre-
lirninary. the Secretary gives a brief history of
the faRs. OF the whole number captured and
dSpesited with the department, 236 were United
States flags originally captured by coufederates
and recaptured from them, and 544 were con-
federats flags taken by the United States troops.
making a total of $50 in the custody Of
the department When received they
were deposited in a vacant attic of
q building on Seventeenth street. occupied by
clerks of the Adjntaut-generals Office. In 1867
the superintendent of buildings, without in
structiocs so far as can he ascertained, had
them removed to his Office, where few were
placed upon the walls and the remainder upon
shelves or in pigeon holes. At this time in
ventory OF these flags was entered in book, in
which was also entered description and brief
history of the capture of those that could be
identified as belonging to particular organiza-
tons. They remained here until the latter part
OF 1874 1t is stated that while some Of the con-
federate flags have since been given the COM
panies or regiments capturing them, no flags
have passed out OF the custody of the depart
ment that were in such custody when Secretary
Endicott assumed charge of the department.
TIE order to return the flags and the order
revoking it are given. aud the statement is
made that no flags were actually returned IN
der the FIRST order. AS to the law requiring the
public exhibition of captured flags and trophies.
1t is assumed that the construction put upon it
by former Secretaries of war and the navy was
that the law applied to trophies taken from a
foreign enemy. and not to those taken during
domestic hostilities. Ia the autumn of 1874
portion of the days removed from the of
flee of the superintendent of the War Depart
ment buildings, it is presumed by the oral di-
recton of the then Secretary 1 Of War, to . the
ing, and there placed on exhibit
ton, and others sent to the
same place in 1875. The larger part Of the flags,
however, still remained in the Office of the su-
perintend Such was their custody and place
of deposit until October. 1882 when all the flags,
including those in the museum. were, by direc-
ton OF the Secretary of War. boxed and stored
in q room ia the sub basement of the new State,
War and Navy building, then first occupied by
the War Department.. where they renamed till
January, 1887. They were quite inaccessible in
this place. and difficult to find and identity when
it became necessary to do SO. Il was also found
that they were decayinR rapidly. and. by direc-
ton of the present Acknowledgement they were
taken from the boxes and placed In a room IN
the upper story of the War Department build
ing, where they can be easily visited and exam
ined.
1t is well known that in many cases United
States troops. with the i'm piled, if not the ex-
- III War nnDo ant nhf Tna6
the flags taken from the confsderates in battle,
and during the progress OF the war the Secretary
of War ordered several captured flags to pe re-
stored to the captors. During the whole period
OF their custody In this department 1t has been
the practice OF the Secretaries of War, from
time to time to deliver recaptered Union
flags on application by Governors of States
whose troops served in the armies of the United
States and to distuguished soldiers of the war
was. prior to March, 1885, the practice of the
Score taries of War to make inquiries concerning
loss of the flags asked for, and II IL occurred I'M
der circumstances which did not reflect discredt
upon the soIdierly and gallant conduct OF the
troops they were returned. And IN accordance
with this rule several such flags have been re-
turned since March z, 1885. Such applications
have at times been refused and, il some cases.
subsequently, granted. Nineteen Union flags
have thus passed from the custody Of the de-
partment by order from the Secretary
of War. and three have been de-
livered upon joint resolutions OF Congress
full list of the same, giving brief history of
delivered and by whose authority, is annexed
and made part of this report Twenty-one
confederate flags were also given up prior TO
May, 1867. A list of these is annexed. Ten of
these taken from the custody OF the War
Department and delivered to individual associa-
tions States upon the written order of Mr..
Stanton Two were given up on or iers signed
by Assistant Adiutant general Nichols and
nine were disposed of under instructions not
now sscertsnabe' but probably .n originating
no on promises that they would be returned.
which appear not to have been kept. In Janu-
airy. 1887, confederate flag was loaned by Gen.
Benet, Acting Secretary OF War, TO w. L.
Clark, late brigadier- general United States Vol
unteers, who had originally deposited It at the
War Department., and who promised, in writ
ing. TO return it, but has not done Since
the date last mentioned, confederate
captured Union flags have been issued or loaned
by this department., and confederate flag
has at any time passed from the custody of the
latter to any of the States lately in rebellion.
In April. 1887, the AID utant general addressed
suggested the proprety Of returning all the
flags union and confederatel to the authorities
of the respective States in which the regiments
which had these colors were organized, for such
final disposition as they NAV determine. This
proposition submitted to the President and
approved by HIM. Orders were thereupon issued
that letters be sent to Governors of States whose
troops carried the flags deposited in the War
Department, proposing to return the same
Such letters were sent TO the Governors referred |
to in the order, but before any OF those flags
were sent or delivered under the order thus is
sued the President upon further consideration,
determined that the return of these flags in
the manner contemplated is not authorized Dy
existing law or justified executive act"
The order OF the department. was at once re-
voked and notice thereof duly issued. None of
the flags given up. The Secretary says
that flags have been removed from the place
whore they displayed sna concealed from
the public. He asserts that Secretaries Stan |
ton Belknap, McCrary, Ramsey and Lincoln |
and the present Secretary delivered alto |
gether some nineteen re-captured Union flags
A full description of the flags remaining in the |
department that be identified accompanies
the report.
Mr.. Bouteiie Dissscts the Report
Special to the INDIANAPOLIS Journal
WARRINGTON. Feb. 20.-Congrsesman Bou-
'elle. when asked to night his opinion of Secre-
tary Endcotts reply to his battle flag resolution,