Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-09-02

We received copy of the Headlight
of August 18th, published at Graham, Va,
with the article below marked, with the re-
quest that we copy it,
Honor is Whom Honor Is Due.
AuArticle, by correspondent from Lex
ingtou, published in the Richmond Dispatch
of the 21st of July, and reproduced by
many papers throughout the two Virginias,
says:
"One of the most conspicuous figures in
Lexington to day is Color Bearer McCart.
ney, who lives in Uuion, Monroe county,
W. Va. Color Bearer Mccartney has on
the Confederate uniform he wore during
the war, and has with him and will bear
in the parade, the flag of the Twenty Sew
enth Virginia Regiment, Stonewall brigade.
This flag he carried at the first battle of
Manassas. The flag is that of the Confed.
crate States, and has on it's blue field the
motto: Our Institutions and Firesides.'
1t is of silk and made by the HANDS of
Southern women"
While it is not our intention to attack
the war record of R. 8. Mccartney, who
was no doubt gallant soldier, we feel it
our duty, so far as we can, to correct any
errors, however unimportant they may
seem, that We find connected with the his
tory of the late civil war. The facts in the
case are; That R. s. Mccartney was a SOL
dier of the Twenty Seventh Virginia Regi-
ment throughout the war, and participated
gallantly, in most ali of the desperate bat
ties in which this regiment was engaged,
but was not, at any period its color. bearer,
and the true history of the flag, borne by
him, at the unveiing in Lexington on the
21st, is as follows: In the spring of 1851,
the ladies of Union, Monroe county, W. Va,
presented it to Company E of the 9th
Regiment. This company was then com.
manded by Capt Hugh Tiffany, who was
afterward killed at the first battle of Man
assas. In a neat little speech, on the part
of the ladies, Gen. Chapman presented it to
Colonel, afterwards Gen. Echols, who re-
ceived it on the part of the company. It
was there and then turned over to the care
and keeping of Color Bearer w. 81. Jen-
nings who carried it continually until the
battle of first Manassas. A day or two pre-
vious to this battle Mr.. Jennings was taken
sick and was advised by his officers to go
to the hospital, but refused to leave bis flag
on the eve of battle and on the memora-
BILE morning of the 21st of July 1861, he
flung his banner to the breeze on the plains
of Manassas. We will not repeat any of
the events of the battle, except that which
parted jennings and his flag. Late in the
afternoon the 9Th Regiment was ordered
to charge Federal battery, which they did
in fine style, capturing it, but not till after
desperate struggle; just as Jennings, with
this flag, reached the Federal battery he
fell desperately wounded, pierced by two
balls, one through the thigh and one
through the shoulder-carrying away two
inches Of the shoulder blade, Color Guard
Joseph Gilkerson, seized the flag as Jen-
nings went down and with it rushed for
ward into the midst of the Federal guns,
and in moment, while waving his CON-
rades on, fell literally riddled with bullets,
and before its folds bad touched the earth
it was suatched from the hands of the dy-
ing G'lkerson by Major A. j. Grigsby, who
carried it until the battle ended. After this
battle, the flag was folded aud placed in
trnok by Lieutenant Znll, and returned to
Union, where it has since remained, except
when carried out on unveiling occasions By
McC Cartpey.
After recovering from his wounds, Color
Bearer jennings served as lieutenant of
artillery throughout the remainder of the
war. He is now, and has been for several
years, living at Graham, Va, and is still
hale and hearty. Any one doubling the
above statement, is respectfully referred to
Gen. Echols, Staunton, Va, or J. P. Ksv.
ena lgh, Ronceverte, W. Va, or any other
member of the 9Th Regiment Virginia H.
fautry.