Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-04
VALUABLE FACTS IN HISTORY.
Rare Publications I'm the Southern
Historical SOciety's Collection.

Historical SOciety's Collection.
Reference has recently been made In
the Dispatch to the exceedingly valuable
publications, library, and collections OF
the Southern Historical Society, now ac-
commodated in the Museum building, and
chiefly displayed In handsome polished
oak cases.
The society has recently secured high
~ important addition to its manuscripts
in the purchase from the estate Of the
late Colonel Benjamin Stoddart Ewell,
who was the assistant Acknowledgement
OF General j. +. Johnston and late emeri-
tus professor Of william and Mary Col
lege-a large number of papers preserved
by Colonel Ewell whilst he served on the
staff OF General Johnston.
The following summary Of these papers,
with the occasional extracts given, Will
indicate their great interest:
FIRST ORDER OF GENERAL j. T..
JOHNSTON.
order No. 80, Harper's Ferry. May o.
1861. in which j. Il. Johnston, brigadier-
general. Confederate States army as
sumes command OF the troops in and near
Harper's Ferry. Wholly in the autograph
Of General Johnston.
LETTER OF GENERAL r. Z. LEE.
A letter signed by "R. T.. Lee. General
Commanding" from Headquarters Viz
ginia forces, Richmond. Va, May 30, 1851,
to General Joseph +. Johnston. COM
handing. at Harper's Ferry" as to the
disposition OF troops.
ORDER OF GENERAL BEAUREGARD.
JULY p. 1861
Special order 10. 1856: Headquarters
Army Of the Potomac. Manassas juno
ton, July q, 1851. by command of Brga-
dier-General Beauregard. Signed Thomas
Jordan, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gene-
raj"
IMPORTANT LETTER OF GENERAL
r. j. JACKSON.
Communication TO Colonel Thomas Jor-
dan from headquarters First Brigade. 10th
August. 1861; signed by T. J. Jackson.
BrigadIer-General, Provisional Army Con-
federate states.
ORIGIN OF THE BATTLE-FLAG.
Communication to General ]. z. John
ston. Centreylle, Va. dated Manassas.
September 3. 1861: wholly In the hand
writing Of General G.. T. Beauregard. and
which settles definitely the origin OF the
Confederate battle-fag. which was the
distinctive feature OF the Confederate
flags which succeeded the Stars and Bars
II will be recollected that the latter. at tho
battle Of Manassas. by the folding effects
OF the wind. could scarcely be distinguish
ed from the Stars and Stripes.
General Beauregard writes:
Colonel CIV. Porcher) Miles informs me
that the Flag Committee voted down any
change OF our flag by a vote OF 4 10 The
being alone in favor OF IL. / wrote 10
him then to propose that we should
have two lags-a peace or parade flag and
a war flag, TO be used only on the field
Of battle-but Congress having adjourned.
no action will be taken on the matter.
How would II do for us TO address the
War Department on the subject for a sup
ply Of regimental war. or badge flags.
made OF red. with two blue bars crossing
each other diagonally. on which shall be
introduced the stars. the edge Of the flag |
TO be trimmed all around with white yell
low. or gold fringe?
I'VE would then on the field Of battle |
know our friends from our enemies"
LETTER OF GENERAL T. J. JACK |
SON-BATH AND ROMNEY CAM |
PAIGN.
Communication TO Major r. G. Rhett. |
assistant acknowledgement, headquarters |
Department of Northern Virginia. from |
headquarters Valley District, Winchester. |
December 2. 1851, wholly in the hand |
writing Of IT. J. Jackson. maior-general |
Provisional Army. Confederate States. in |
which he gives particulars as 10 the move
ments OF the enemy; states the number OF
his command and its disposition, and asks
Tor reinforcements.
COLONEL w. f. CUTSHAW.
The following as to beginning of the
gallant career Of our very able City En-
sineer, Colonel Wilfred +. Cutshaw. will
be read with interest:
whilst the Thirty-third Regiment Vir-
yinia Volunteers. was en- route from Ma
lassas 10 this place. one Of its companies
Company E) arrived In camp near here
without any officer, In consequence OF its
lrst Lieutenant, T. c. Fitzgerald. having
ibsented himself without leave In con-
sequence OF Colonel Cummings having re-
ported to me that he could not undertake
another march with the company. as II
was composed of unmanageable Irishmen.
md as the company numbered about thir-
y, and as | had two unassigned pieces or
ield artillery, and also Second Lieutenant
W. E Cutshaw. Confederate States army.
/ graduate OF the Virginia Military Insti-
ute. was without a command. ] assigned
him TO the command OF the company. and
ordered the two pieces OF artillery 10 be
urned over 10 him. Yesterday / sent him
% Hanging Rock, which Is fifteen miles
his side OF Romney. This was on the
we OF the noted Bath and Romney ex-
,editlon, in which the hardships endured
~ General Jackson's command riyalled