Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-20

the close OF the war the generals command
ing armies Of the United States in the field
sent to the War Department flags that
we're captured by their troops in battle or
received on surrender. A great many Of these
flags. however, never reached headquarters,
but we're sent BY their captors to their homes
or elsewhere as souvenirs or tokens Of their
valor. Ii later became the custom for the
individual captors of flags to be designated in
orders TO accompany the trophies to Washing
ton, anu they were frequently received on
arrival at their destination with much eclat
Some Of the c. A. p men now In the city will
doubtless remember q former visit on such an
occasion Five hundred and forty-four con-
federate flags were thus placed in the custody
Of the War Department When these flags
were received they we're deposited in a vacant
attic room Of building on 18th street in this
city. then occupied by clerks of the sdjutant
generals Office. aud there remained until 1867.
During that year the superintendent of the
buildings then occupied by the War Depart
meni had them removed to his Office, where
few were placed upon the walls and the re-
raainder land upon shelves OF in pigeon holes,
where they remained until the latter part of
1874 when portion OF the flags were removed
from the Office of the superintendent OF the
War Department. buildIns to the ordnance
museum IN Winder's building and there placed
On exhibition. and others were seat to the same
place in 1873. The larger part of the flags.
however. still remained in the Office of the
superintendent such was their custody and
place Of deposit until October. 1882 when all
tine flags. including those in the museum. we're
boxed and stored in room in the subbase-
uaent in the new State. War an1.Navy building.
then FIRST occupied by the War Department.
where they remained until January, 1887.
They were quite inaccessible in this plsce and
difficult to fad and identify when il became
necessary 10 do so. IL was also found that they
were decaying rapidly. and BY direction Of the
adlutant general Of the army they were taken
nom the boxes and placed IN a room in the
upper story Of the building. where they could
be easily visited and examined.
In lss7 the adju:ant general OF the army
addressed letter to the Secretary OF War in
which he suggested the Propriety of returning
captured flags 10 the authorities OF the re-
sPective states in which the regiments which
bore these coiOrs were organized. for srch
final disposition us they may determine" The
proposed return OF the flags was submitted 10
and approved by President Cleveland. and
steps were taken looking TO that end by the
adjutant generals Office. Gov. FOraker's pro-
te-t and the circumstances from G.. A. T. posts
AMI from other organizations. individuals and
the press are still too fresh IN the minds Of our
readers TO necessitate a detailed account OF the
incident here. Under this pressure President
Cleveland reconsidered his action and ordered
that the matter be dropped; aad dropped it
was.
IL may be well 10 state here. however. that
Cen H. v. BOvn;on. the veteran newspaper
correspondent and veteran OF the war is the
man 30 whom more than TO any other belongs
the honor OF having saved to the country these
tokens Of Che valOr and success OF the Union
soldier. Having obtained advance information
OF The contemplated action with regard TO these
n-Cs ne :ele--aphed /! 20 the paper he repre-
scntcd la Cincinnati Not only did he do this
but ~ lave the information to o.her CORE
spondents representing eastern papers. Thus
II va That the sentiment of the country was
aroused. the contamination OF the coutem-
plated action prevented and the captured con-
fedeFate hags, which are part OF the history
OF the war, were kept together IN the custody
OF the War Department, 10 be an object lesson
% future generations Of the yalor and la
tiotishl % their IA hers
On The 18th of March. 1897 g D. EIkins
Secretary of W,r. issued an order rcorCani1in
the division Of military information IN the
Office Of the AdjutIot general CT the army
Recognizing III, historical importance o. pre-
serving the Gags aDd o-her relics OF the war
.hs Secretary placed :1sm in charge Of this
division They are now under the immediate
control % Nj. Arthur GaeArthur L. s A.
(himself a recipient Of the medal Of honor for
rsiiantrv on =ke battlefield There is no
doubt hat IL the hau.s OF their present cus-
tsdian these faxs W 5e taken better care of
than ever before.