Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-04
tion will, the raising Of the Confederate
FLAG over the CAPITOL IN 1851.


ton with the raising Of the Confederate
flag over the Capitol in 1851.
As TO whom that honor belongs don't
know but Mr.. Bruen, who has beon par
tally identified by your lrst correspond
times spoken of than would seem BY the
slight silusion TO him.
Cornehu, T. Brusn - native OF West
Virginia, and came to Richmond with
jonathan NJ. Bennett when he was ap-
pointed Auditor OF Public Accounts oy
Governor Wise TO succeed Auditor Clut-
ter, who died in Office. Dir. Bruen was
clerk for some time in the Auditors once,
and while there. under the direcsion OF
Mr.. Bennett, compiled and superirtended
the publication of the most complete and
elaborate report that has ever emanated
from that Office.
Mr.. Pruen was sub sequently appointed
First Assistant or Journal Clerk OF the
Senate by tho late Shelton q. Davis, and
continued as such until the removal OF the
seat of Government of the Confederate
States to Richmond. When the Confede-
rate Congress assembled Mr.. Nash. the
Secretary Of the Senate. asked MIR. Davis
if he could recommend suitable person
to become the journal Clerk or the Senate.
Mr. Davis told him that he had the
very man In the person OF his journal
Clerk, and that he would dislike to part
with him. but as the position under Mr..
Nash was better one ho could not object,
and recommended him. Mr.. Bruen was ap-
pointed to the position and continued as
such until the evacuation or Richmond.
He had IN his custody the secret Journai
of the Confederate Senate, from which the
injunction of secrecy had not been re-
moved.
Soon after the war Mr.. Bruen removed
to New York. and was not long IN pro.
curing a position in the. establishment OIL
the late A. L. Stewart. the merchant
prince. He continued in Mr.. Stewards
employment until the death Of his en-
plover, and was one Of the clerks TO
whom he left $4,000 for so many continu-
Gus years of faithful service. He held the
position of chief correspondence CLERK,
and when K. j. Denning Il Co. succeeded
to the business continued with them In
the same capacity until his death, wnicn
occurred two years ago.
Mr. Bruen never married. The writer,
who was intimately acquainted with him
from tho time he came to Richmond until
his death, corresponded with him while
he was in New York, and always called to
see him on the writer's periodical visits TO
| that city. Mr.. Bruen afectionately re.
| membered his Richmond friends, and
especially those who were associated with
him at the Capitol. and always inquired
| after them and by name. He was printer,
| and never failed to refer to the fact in con-
versation with members of that craft.
| Peace to bis ashes! j. l.. O.
NEW ACCOUNT FROM MEMBER OF THE
SECESSION COMMITTEE.
| To the Editor OF the D,sDaica:
In a communication of the DIsPATcH Of
| the nth, signed n. 5. F., that writer claims
| that Dir. John Crump hoIgted over the
State Capitol the first Confederate flag
ever hoisted over it on tho l7th day OF
April, 1861. after the ordinance Of seces-
| sion had passed on that day.
NJ, s. Z. il mistaken if no means to say
| that the first Confederate Tag hoisted over
| virginas Capitol was hoisted on the 18th
| OF April, after the ordinance was passed.
The firing on Fort Sumter was on the
| 18th Of April, 1861. On the 18th the peo-
pie of Richmond fred 100 guns in the
| Capitol grounds in honor of the event.
| On the same day there was large and ex-
cited meeting held on an island Just above
the ci.y at which iniammatory speeches
were made, and when the meeting ad.
| journed the people returned In marching
order TO the city and entered the Capitol
| grounds at the west gate. They then
| marched through the Capitol building, iu-
| tending, as it was said, to wave the Con.
| federate flag over tho convention, as they
supposed 1t was still in session.
Finding that the convention bad all
iourned few minutes before. a part OF the
| procession marched out at the east dooi
of the Capitol and continued TO the Gov
| ernor's Mansion, called Governor LetcheI
out and demanded speech, to which be
responded.
| well remember his full speech 10 thi:
day and here givs IL, He said: Gentle
men, ,ohen 8le proper time comes iciH do ing
d0iV.p
The Governor immediately retired into
his Office in the mansion and | also entered
the room Immediately after him.
While we sat In his Office talking Owe
the episode Governor Letchers daughter
opened the door and said Father, SOM
men are raising the Confederate fag ol
the Capitol"
The Governor Immediately rose from hi
seat, pushed aside the curtain from WIN
dow, and, seeing the Confederate flag beinl
raised, said: Never mind, daughter, /
will not be there long,"
The Governor Immediately but quietly
| ordered the public guard to take the fla.
down, whicn they did q little after dark.
The convention. on the afternoon of th
18th, adjourned until the 10Th, when the,
reconvened. went into secret session. ON,
ON the nth at 10 minutes before o'clocl
p. NJ. the vote on the ordinance was an
nounced.
OF course do not know by whose han,
the first Confederate flag was holsted o.
Virginia's Capitol. but | do know it wa
done some days before the 17tn of April
1861.
| was member of that memorable con
vention, and | was present and saw anC
heard what detail. B. w. BYRSE.
Fords Hotel. January II. 1892.