The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-24
GEN. HARRISoN'S BATTLE FLAG
WAS MADE FROM THE SILK OF
SAVANNAH LADIES' DRESSES.

SAN AN1tHA L-ADAA~9 AANAN7SA11s
Cen. George p. Harrison Was Colonel
of the. Thirty-SecOnd Georgia-He
was Presented with the Flag by
Mrs. Octavus COhen-The Colonel
was But Nineteen at the Time-At
twenty-five He Was a Brigadier.
How Sergeant Butler Died in the
Hope of RaIIying His Regiment.
Another Fell Under the Flag at
Battery Wagner.
The flag OF the old Thirty-Second Geor-
ris is in Savannah. The battle-scarred silk
Is carefully guarded by its owner Gen.
George P. Harrlso of Alabama, who cher
;sbes il as one of his dearest treasures.
The Old flag is torn and tattered, but no
hon Of the finest silk could be so dear to
the general as that cd standard of his
regiment and the memories it recalls.
savannah should feel a special interest
IN the flag. It was presented the regiment
bva lady of the city. 1t was in 81 that the
render was made, the flag beng received
by Gen. Harrison, then but stripping,
though colonel of the command.
Mrs Octavus Cohen made the flag from
the dress s of her two daughters, now Mrs
Taylor and Mrs. Phillips. The regiment
was made up of companies from this vi
cinity. Col Harrison, its commander, being
from Monteth, a few miles from Savan-
nah. After the war this was his home for
some years.
-Four men, to Gen. Harrison's own
knowledge, were shot dead while grasping
the staff of the flag. That bit of silk was
the dearest thing in the regiment and men
gladly gave their lives in its defense or to
plant it where the colonel might direct.
Two of those shot down fell before Gen.
Harrison's very eyes. In connection with
the death of one of them there is a pecu-
liar incident that Gen. Harrison relates
with deep feeling, the memory of the gal
lautry of The brave color sergeant, Butler
OF Talbotton, stirring him in the recountal.
II was at the battle of the Olustee that
the incident occurred. The Confederates
were charging the position Of the Federais,
when masked battery suddenly opened
fire its deadly discharge of grape and
canister throwing the Confederates inlo
nomentary confusion. Col. Harrison saw
the line waver and spurred his horse to
the coors, desiring to catch them up as
an Inspiration to his men to rally.
On reaching the color sergeant, who
seemed to share the confusion of The 9TH
ers the colonel leaned from his saddle
and caught the staff of the flag. Butler
looked Up beseechingly. For Gods sake,
Colonel" he said, don't take my flag. I'll
put 1t anywhere you say"
"Put it on that battery, Then" said the
colonel. pointing to the place from which
destruction was being hurled into his
ranks
seret. Rut'er started on a rum. waving
his flag The line caught The spirit of the
movement and rushed madly on. But But
Ter was not with them long. Thirty steps
Il from where he started he fell, shot through
the hody by a canister. Col Harrison Wis
tied the brave man often during the TWEEN
4 " days or more he fingered in agony, put
1t IVES Of 70 use. He was one of the count
less thousands that gave their lives for the
confederacy.
81 The flag was with the Thirty-Second at
the defense of Battery Wagner 1t was
Fl there that another of its devoted bearers
was shot dead under it. Gen. Harrison also
"A witnessing hat death. Others were there
to catch up the flag however, and 1t was
never djshonored during the years the
Thirty-second was arrayed against the
q Felerals
When he was appointed colonel of the
regiment Gen. Harrison was but nineteen.
~ Three years later he got his promotion as
brgadior. That took him away from his
n with il in spirit His f0ve for his old COM
"a mand never died When the regiment went
to pieces at the close of the struggle in
the Southern section of the country Cen
Harrison was in the Carolinas. He sent
word TO his successor, the colonel of the
regiment, 10 send him the old flag. 1t was
4 received after time, and, as the hope of
holding out much longer against the Fed
erals died away, the general was deter
mined to save his flag from capture.
1t required a little strategy 90 save 1t.
Gen. HarrisOn's device was to use 1t as
saddle blanket, folding it small and plac>
ing It under bis ordinary blanket. In that
way it escaped notice, and when the Gen.
eral surrendered with Johnston at
Greensboro, the torn bit of silk under
which the Thirty-second had so gallant
y fought was not observed. Gen. Harri-
son has carefully preserved 1t ever since,
and walking cane, though not needed as
support made of that part of the staff
Nhlch was not shot to pieces is some
umes carried by him.
Gen. Harrison Is now living at Opelika,
Ala. He is commander of the Alabama
DYlslon of United Confederate Veterans,
4olang the same position in that state
qal Gen. Evans holds in Georgia. Gen.
harrison is one of the most interesting
tne veterans in attendance upon the re-
,Iiloh and his charming wife, who was
80 Wltherspoon of South Carolina, has
IN found one of the most pleasant and
a. 4euve Of the visiting ladies' Many
me local Daughters of the Confederacy
~ enjoyed meeting her greatly, and at
~ ecepuons that have been held she has
figures. '''e 'i'oS' '''''iiis