The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1895-05-31

for the Confederate StateS-the white
(argent being emhamatic of purity
and innocence, and the red (gulesl of
fOrtitude and courage. In the adop-
tion of ensigns by various nations of
the world, 1t is noticed by Capt. Ham
iton, IN the history of the United
States flag, that they generally imi-
tate the cnsignS of the nations from
which they sprung. This rule is com.
piled with in the flag as proposed, for
our people are chiefly descended from
the British and the French, and we
get the union and cross of st. An
lthony from the former, and the bar
from the flag Of the latter nation,
while the idea Of having stars to rep
resent the States respectively is taken
from the flags of the old Union. main
ly founded by our 'forciathers. The
new flag is easily made, and is with
out the complication df any painting,
which, besides the difficulty or correct
execution, soon rots the bunting. The
| proportions, while most pleasing to
the eye, possess the virtue Of simpli-
city-thc white below and on the side
of the union being the same width as
the red bar. They have been approved
by some Of the best artists in the
C0nfcderacy, and after a careful eX-
animation have been pronounced cor
rect by some of the most experienced
officers Of the navy, snch as Commo-
dore Forrest, Capt. Raphael Semmes,
Capt. S. S. Lee, Capt. Mason and
Capt W. II. Parker, the latter having
been at the head of the Confederate
States Naval Academy
The bill adopting the new design
passed both branches Of congrcSs-the
senate unanim0usly-and was signed
by President Davis February %, 1865
thus becoming a law on the birthday
of the great Nirginian, George Wash
ington, and the anniversary of the day
that gave birth to the permanent
government of the Confederate States.
All signs, Omcns and c0incidcnts
seemed to forctel the speedy success
of the young Confederacy and its new
symbol so auspiciously unfurled, but
doomed to be quenched and lost on
the night Of disaster that came before
the idcs Of April ofthat same Inflated
year.
"Furl that banner, for It's weary,
Round its staff IT'S drooplng dreary;
Furl it, fold it, it is best
For there's not a man to lave it
In the blood that heroes gave it,
And its foes now scorn and brave it
Furl it, hide it, let it rest.
"Take that banner down, It's tattered,
Broken in its staff, and tattered,
And the valiant hosts are scattered
0er whom il loated high
Oh, 'tis hard for us to fold it,
Hard to think there's none to hold it,.
Hard that those who once unrolled it,
Now must full it with sigh"
Maj. Rogers, whose name is insep-
arably associated with the COnfedcr-
ate flag as its author, is a native of
London county, Virginia. AT the in
ception of the war he raised a com
pany Of artillery from his native sec
tion, which command was hOnorably
mentioned by Gen. Beauregard in his
report of the first battle Of Manas-
sas.
He was reelected captain, pro-
NOTED for gallant and meritorious
conduct at the second battle of Ma
nassas, and was attached to the staff
of Gen. Stonewall jackson. At the
battle of Charlottesville, Maj. Rogers
was among the members of Gen.
Jacks0n's staff who were struck down
with him on the occasion when Jack
son received his death wound.
When, in 1865, Maj. Rogers con
ceived the new design of the flag, he
was stationed at Chaflin's Bluff, on
the James, in command Of that de-
fense. Gen. Lee, in letter to Gen.
s. Cooper, adjutant-general, recon-
mcndlng Maj. Rogers for post service
because of his wound, thus speaks Of
him:
"lIe is gallant officer, and if there
is any duty he can perform at the
stationary batteries in or around
Richmond or in the camps Of instruc-
tion, | recommend that he be as
signed to it,"
This is Il brief history of the Con-
fedcrate flag, coupling with it the
name of its author, who signalized his
taste and genius in the design Of a
flag intended to symbolic the noble
cause for which the South so gallantly
4 can toptn1