The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-09
CONFEDERATE BATTLE-FLAG
Judge Beaurcgard Exposes a Union
Officers Mistakes

The New York Sun recently publ.shel
an article written by Union ott.Ser in
the Civil War. IN reference 10 the DE
sign of the confederate Flag
This articp. contained number of in
accuracieS, and weil-alUwn Richmond
woman. VINO takes a keen interest in
everything pertaining to the preservation
of, Confederate history and Confederate
records. wrote to Judge r. II. Beauce-
gard, son of General Beauregard. asking
him for a copy OF his reply TO the article,
which appeared in the New York Sun.
Judge beauregards father suggested tisa
design OF the Confederate Battle-Fiag,
and his son is. OF course. authority on
this subject. Judge Beauregari-s reply is
as follows:
Parish of st. Bernard April q.
CNear New Orleans. La
To the New York sun:
In your issue of April Sbh. 1890 appears
an article reproducing under the heading
OF Design of the Confederate Flag. the
"reminiscences OF and authorship OF said
tattle-has. by a Lieutenant Shurtleff con-
ceived under the inspiration OF a Con-
federate soldier, but designed BY The Lieut.
and transmitted 10 the daughter of Cen
eraI Beauregard, who then took up the
idea under promise of returning the orig
inaI TO his daughter. in whose possession
Cor her representation. for she died some
years ago.. il now is.
Leaving aside the tincture of the Beue-
dict Arnold. which pervades the story.
reference is made TO the Military opera
tons of General Beauregard. by Colonel
Alfred Roman; pages 1It-fI2, which give
the history of this flag:
During the Battle of Manassas. Cen
eral Beauregard mad observed the diff
Guilty Of distinguishing our own from the
enemy's colors. and IN order 70 prevent
all errors in the future. had determined
to adopt in his army a batrie-flag distinct
in color and design.
He at first sought to procure change
in the Confederate flag Itself. and Col
w P Miles then chairman Of the House
Military Committee. had caused. at his
request, report to be presented 10 that
effect but with no result
In conference between TIE
fthen) three senior officers al Fairfax
Courthouse. in September. out OF four
designs for battte-f5ag. one presented by
General Beauregard was adopted
1t was a red field with diagonal blue
cross, the latter edged with white. and
bearing white stars.
To render it more portable IL was made
square. instead of obioHg. by order OF
General Johnston
This beautiful design, by a strange
coincidence. had been previously devised
by Colonel Miles, ard recommended iof
the Confederate flag to congrsss-rhen in
session at Montgomery. in March. 1851.
It had also been proposed by Mr.. Edward
L. Hancock at the request of Cosonai
James b. WsEtc:l. at New Orleans In ths
month of April. II had been offered by
Colone! Miles to General Reatpresard tn
substitution for one nearly similar In
emblem and pattern. but different IN the
distribution of cosors, suggested by Gene-
al Beauresard, when the latter was
seeking to procure a change in the Con-
Tolerate flag. And It was now proposed
anew to the General by Colonel Walton,
who had Mr Hancoek's design
Thus II will be seers that the conception
and design of the Corseitarata batffe-fas
--l= conceived and drown icrg before
Trrion st,.di-.- rad tried 'Eis stfH In WA
er-c-sors. on en- origtraf which was not.
ara could .sver have reaesred the hands o.
the Generals tarnsrred daughter. For she
vas a title GID wiao was and remained
In I,o,,issara during the ws,o!e OF our TN
fortunate war. ard was seen by her fsea-
err Only at the close.
+ r. 4. RlAIERExTARD.