The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-04-14
TIE REGIMENTS BATTLE FLAGS.
/ Col. Olmstead Returns the Banners to
His Old Com and.

"
Col. olmstead Returns the Banners to
his Old COmrHa and.
Col. Chas II. Olmstead yesterday re-
sarned to the First Volunteer regiment its
old battle flags, which have been in his pos
session since the war. Col. Olmstead's let
ter of presentation is as follows:
SAvASNAH, Ga, April, 10, 1891.
Coz. GEORGE 4. Mercer. Commanding First
IOlmteeT ReQImsnt Of Georgia:
My DEAR COLoNEL-I take great pleasure in
turning over 70 the regiment, through your
hands, its old battle flag. This flag was pre-
scented TO the regiment by Mrs. ALVIN y. Miller
in the winter Of 1862 II was first under fire at
Charleston in the summer of 1853, and was
borne by the regiment from that time until the
end Of the war On July p, 1864, two color
bearers were killed while carrying this flag,
PrIyates Singer and Diamond and several Of the
color guard were wounded.
The flag was never sure lde-ed to the enemy.
By the terms Of capitulation between Gems.
Johnston and Sherman at Greensboro, n. O., in
1865, confederate commands were entitled 70
Keep their colOrs, and so the old regiment
merched back to Augusta under this flag. At
that point the men separated and took charge
of the colOrs, and have had them ever since.
also give into the regiments keeping flax
that was presented to it by lady in Nashville
through the late Capt. s. Yates Levy, tuE az
We were about starting for the North Carolina
campaign. This is the regular confederate flag
pure Wnlte with the battle nag as q unlOn)t ana
1t was made from the fair donors wedding
Dress
This was used more as parade flag, though
1t was carried into action at the battle OF Peach
tree creek on July 20, 1864 when. however, the
regiment was not heavily engaged. also have
in my possession ito be sent to YOU the dis
tnctive flag that was carried by all the regi-
ments OF Cleburne's division, of which the First
regiment was long part. Under this, Private
Paulk Of the OglethOrpe Light Infantry was
killed at the battle of BsntOnville. With con-
tinued affection for the old command, endeared
to me as 1t is by so many proud recollections,
am sincerely yours, CHARLES H. OLMsTEAD.
Col Mercer made this reply:
SAVANNAH, GA, April ID, 1891.
Col. Charles II. OLmsiedd. SdUdnndh, Ga;
MY DEAR CoLoNEL-I am to-day in receipt Of
your letter of this date, with the two war flags
of the regiment therein referred TO.
The regiment is deeply indebted TO you for
your care of these valuable relics, and no small
portion Of the pride and pleasure with which 1t
will always preserve them will be the asSocia
ton of your name and gallantry with the proud
memories they conserve.
The writer, as adjutant general Of the brigade
of which the regiment formed part, was pres
ent on the memorable 22d OF July, 1854, when
the old flag was so bravely borne by the color
guards, and witnessed with his own eyes the
heroic devotion to duty and the brave deaths
10 which you refer. Your modesty
alone permits you to suppress the in
jury you received at the same time while in
regiment is holding military fair to aid in its
extrcation from the embarrassment OF debt
will not be amiss If 1t serves to convince we'll
wishers and friends that past devotion in the
period that tried mems souls furnishes some
basis for appeal to the generous and brave and
some assurance of fidelity and usefulness in the
future With great respect, colonel, l remain
very sincerely yours,
GEORGE A. MERCER,
Colonel First Vol. Reg. of Ga.
The flags were on exhibition in the fair
room last night. They wereswung across
the hall Immediately inside the entrance,
and attracted great attention from the big
crowd present.
The battle flag is of red material, three
feet square, with a blue cross stripe, bear
ing twelve white stars and the constitution
of Georgia in the center. The many bullet
holes in the flag bear evidence to its having
participated in some warm engagements.
Both flags will remain on exhibition during
the fair, and afterward will be kept in the
regimental armory.