Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-29

,a'n hamilton, In the history of the
lifted states flag that they generally
..'aeo the ensigns OF the nations from
mn,Vn they sprung This rule is complied
WIN IN the nag as proposed, for our peo-
PIE are chiefly descended from the British
ana French, and we get the union and
cross OF ST. Andrews from the former
ana the red bar from the flag OF the lat
'er nauon, while the idea Of having the
s'ars represent the States respectively
,aken from the flags of the old union.
NANNY rounded by our forefathers. The
ne" nag Is easily made, and is without
the complications OF any painting. which
besides the difficulty OF correct execution.
soon rotS the bunting. The proportions
whhe most pleasing TO the eye. possess
,he virtue OF simplicity--the white below
ana on one side OF the union being the
same width as the red bar. They have
oeen approved by some OF the best artists
IN the Confederacy. and after a careful
examination have been pronounced cor
rect by some OF the most experienced
oihcers Of the navy. such as Commodore
Forrest, Captain Raphael Semmes Cap
tain ;. s. Lee, Captain Mason, and Cap
tain w. II. Parker-the latter having been
az the head OF the Confederate States
Naval Academy"
PASSED ON FEBRUARY 22D.
The bill adopting the new design passed
both branches % Congress-the Senate
unanimously-and was signed by Presi-
dent Davis February p, 1865, thus be-
coming a law on the birthday of the
great Nirginian, George Washington. and
the anniversary OF the day that gave
birth 20 the permanent government of
the Confederate States.
All signs. omens, and coincidents SEEM
ed to foretell 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 dis
aster that came before the ides Of April
Of that same Inflated year.
MAJOR ROGERS A vIRGINIAN.
Major Rogers, whose name is insepara-
bly, associated with the Confederacy as
its author, is native OF Loudoun county,
Va. At the beginning Of the war he
raised a company Of artillery from his
native section, which command was hon
oraby mentioned by General Beaure-
gard, in his report Of the first battle OF
Manassas. He was reelected captain,
promoted for gallant and meritorious con
duct at the second battle of Manassas,
and was attached 10 the staff Of General
Stonewall Jackson. At the battle OF
Charlottesville, Major Rogers was
among the members OF btutIdl JdthSon
staff who were struck down with him on
the occasion when Jackson received his
death wound.
When, I'm 1865, Major Rogers conceived
the new design Of the flag. he was sta
toned at Chaffin's Bluff, on the James,
I'm commanded that defence. General Lee
I'm letter to General S. Cooper. adju-
tant general, recommending Major
Rogers for past service, because of his
wounds, thus speaks Of him.
"He is a gallant officer, and IL there Is
any duty he can perform at the stationary
batteries in or around Richmond. or in
the camps OF instruction, l recommend
that he be assigned TO IT,"
Thus we have given a brief history OF
the Confederate flag, coupling with 1t the
name Of its author, who signalized his
taste and genius in the design Of flag
intended to symbolic the noble cause
for which the South so gallantly con-
tended.