The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-01


Gen. John II. Martiudale. Gen. Henry L.
Kendrick, Gen. Larkin Smith and other
noted military commanders. Although
native of New York he had closely ident-
fed himself with Georgia in his early life,
and whose fame he enhanced by his valOr
in the Texas struggle. 1t is more than
likely that ii was his eloquent appeals in
behalf Of the people of Texas that inspired
Miss Troutman 70 design and make THE
Flag Of the Lone Star" that was to play
80 conspicuous part in the history of the
heroic young republic of Texas.
Coming down to a much later day, note
that the first flag of the Southern Confed-
eracy was raised over the then capitol az
Montgomery, Ala, on the afternoon of
March 4, 1861, the Confederate Congress
having adopted the Stars and Bars al
the morning session on that day. Imme-
diately the leading Southern cities were
notified of the great event and given a de-
scriptiOn of the flag. That night the pa
triodc wife of Col. Thomas Hardeman of
Macon Ca, whose husband was then
commander of the old Floyd Rifles made
a flag of the same design, and it was
presented 70 the company at sunrise the
next morning, March 5, by Capt. Harde-
man, at the armory in Ralstons Granite
Range. The flag was at once flung to
the breeze from the armory and the Rifles
pdl dQtl III the street anu llI60 the cuSlO-
mary salute. This was the first flag of
the Confederate states unfurled upon
Georgia soil, and the gallant Floyd Rifles,
since commanded by Capt. john L. Harde-
man, son of Col. Thomas Hardeman, who
as a snail boy was present al the flag
raising, have always been proud of their
intrepid movements on that great occa-
sion, giving due credit to the patriotic inn
pulse that led their commanders noble
Wife to spend the entire night in prepar-
ing the symbol of the new born republic
to which Georgia had contributed a Steph-
ems, TOombs, Cobb, and other eminent
statesmen. not TO mention a long array of
her gallant sons who became famous as
military commanders.
A claim having been made an Avery's
History of Georgia for another company,
| took the liberty to fully investigate the
circums ances of both claims, and became
satisfied that the Floyd Rifles are entitled
to the honor claimed In a letter to me
Capt John L. Hardeman says: 81 recoEect
going TO town in the buggy with my IA
Their before sun up. The company at once
marched on the street, fired a salute TO the
flag and then paraded The music had not
made sound until the firing as the Rifles
had kept their own counsel and no one
knew what was up until the flag was sa-
luted. At that time there was great rivalry
each trying to get ahead of the other The
Rifles stln have the same United States
dag that they hauled down on that event
ful morning to give place to the STARS
and Bars" In a few weeks both the Rifles
and the volunteers went to Virginia and
became a part of the famous noted Sec
ond Georgia Battalion, of which Capt.
Thomas Hardeman was chosen command
er. They were the first troops to arrive
an VIRGINIA soil n 1i6 10 ,f 10
Old commonwealth in the defense of their
homes and fresides, and in this the Rifles
won additional honor for being first in
peace and first in war
AS this letter win be printed and read
on the day on which the Stars and Stripes
are TO be raised over Cuba, outside of San
uago province, l have thought the fore
going might not be without interest to the
readers of the Morning News. Georgia was
not only represented in the unfuriing of
the first United States flag at Manila by
Admiral Dewey, but al Santiago, when our
flag WAS formally unfurled, Lieut. Joseph
Wheeler. Jr L. S. A, son of Georgia =
n.ustrious warrior, Gen. Joseph Wheeler
u. S. v, was one of the chief actors m
that great event. When we consider what
the flag of nation old or young, stands
Tor, its first unfurling is full of signif
canoe. The once ambitious young repub-
lie of Texas is now a state in our glorious
union, and its Lone Star" flag represents
only its subordinate statehood The once
proud republic of the Confederate states is
also again part of The union, and ira
stars and Bars" furled forever as an
emblem of a republics power and author
ity. How long and to what purpose The
Stars and Stripes are to float over the
Philippines and Cuba is a problem that
the future a.one can solve AT least II
marks new era in our national career.
Sidney Herbert