The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1900-04-26
VALUABLE RELICS
). GIVEN THE STATE.
N1oMENTOEs OF MEXICAN WAR.


Given by Col. James ID. Blanding
President OF Survivors Associa-
tiOn.
The following letter from Col. j. d.
Blanding, the distinguished Mexican
war veteran, was received by Gov. Nc
S ~eeney some days ago. 1t tells Of
gifts OF incalculable value to be made
to the State and contains history that
every South Caroliniau is proud Of
Here is Col Blandlug's letter
To His Excellency, Gov. M. B. Nc
Sweeney.
Dear Sir: Ia accordance with the
resolution of the Palmetto Regiment
(Mexican wary Survivors association,
as president Of the association | have
tho honor OF turning over In perpetuo
to the State OF South Carolina, through
you as governor, one Of the two flags
carried by the regiment in that war,
together with the regimental records.
1t is only necessary to state as to the
latter that they are very Imperfect
the general order book and most OF the
loose papers having been sent to and
lost in Chester during Sherman's
march through the State in 1865. The
tion flag presented by Gen. VIM. O.
Butler, then in command Of the army
in the early part Of 1913, to the regi-
ment when detailed as guard of the
national palace and archives. Myre-
collection Ia that Gen. Scott. had
ordered this flag made, on account Of
the tattered and torn condition of the
State flag which was worked by the
ladies of Charleston and presented
through the city council (T. l.: Hutch
inson, mayor) in December, 1916, to
the regiment, and by 1t carried into
the city Of Mexico on 18th September,
lS47. Besides the skirmishes around
Vera Cruz on the routes to the valley
OF the city, it passed through the
battles of Contreras, Cherubusco,
Chapultepec and Garita de Belen, and
there on 18th Sept, 1917, at 1:20 p. m,
the fret flag planted on the walls OF
the city, four hours before Ger. Scott,
with Gen. Wor,h's division OF regulars,
reached the Larita San COsme. 1t
may be casually stated that two COM
missioned and three non-commissioned
officers were shot down while carrying
1.-TWO mortally. The commanding
general directed Major afterwards
colonel GLADDEN. rov TO use the State
flag, but to eDc6se and carry 1t back to
the State as sacred relic. Soon after
the return Of the regiment both flags
were turned over to thu State and
kept in & glass case in the State house.
When Sherman fret approached Co.
lumbia, Capt. w. b. Stanley, then
president Of the Palmetto Regiment
Survivors association, sent both flags
to Thomas J Mckay IA private OF Co.
F.j at Chester. After matters settled
down the regulation flag was returned
TO Capt. Stanley, but he was never in
formed what became Of the State flag.
He offered liberal reward for its re.
turn, and now, that sectional passions
have subsidized and returning sense of
propriety and comfy seems to be &C
tuating both sides, have also offered
reward for It's return to the COVER
nor Of South Carolina in hopes that it
may be brought to light and deposited
with Its companion among the tlags of
worth OF the civil and Spanish wars
now In keeping Of the State.
1t may be interesting also to state
as a matter OF history that the regula-
tion flag WAS loaned by the executive
committee to the First battalion South
Carolina infantry lLieut. Col. Thomp,
SOM organized for the Spanish Var,
which afterwards became part Of the
Second South Carolina regiment in
the latter carried to Cuba. Upon the
muster out of the regiment it was re-
turned to the committee with the &C.
companying powder bag taken from
Moro Castle. 1t Is probably the only
flag in the United States which has
been unfurled in the capitols of the
only two foreign countries invaded by
the United States.
The executive committee OF the Sur
vivors' association also request that
they be allowed to place the jackson
vase" In the Legislative library under
glass case, and uEder care Of the sec.
retary of State Or OF the librarian, rs
you may direct.
the committee have no proper depOsi.
tory for it, and that all survivors !"
may know at least where it is. 80 that,
the 80 last survivor" to whom it will:
ultimately belong, may provo his claim
(how and before whom I cannot guess)
and take possession for himself.
The clause of the win Of Gen. Andrew
Jackson In reference to the vase Is in
the following words
The gold box presented to me by
the corporation OF the city OF New
York, the large silver vase presented
to me by the ladies OF Charleston, S.
c., my native State, with the large
pictures representing the, e,unfurling Of
puo HhcllChn D8uDST, pE6SSubcu w lllo
. by the citizens of South Carolina when
1t was refused 80 pc accepted by the
United States Senate. | leave In trust
to my son A.Jacksoh, jr., with tlirec
tions that should our happy country
/ not be blessed with peace, an event
not al ways to be expected, he Will at
the close OF the war or at the end of
the conflict present each Of the said
articles Of fnestimable value to that
patriot residing in the city or State
from which they were. presented who
shall be adjudged by his fellow coun.
trymen, or the ladies, to. have been
the most valiant In the defense of his
-. country and our country ,rigbts."; r r
In the fall OF l848 A. Jackson, il.
executor, sent the vase to the Cover
nor OF South Carolina with the request
to dispose OF it according to the terms
OF the will OF his testator. The COVER.
nor reported that 1t was impractical
BILE to obtain decision what patriot
OF the State was the most valiant in
the defense of his country and our
country's rights" The executor au.
Ithorized him to deliver it, to the, sur
YivOrs OF the Palmetto regiment Mex.
lean WARY ,tO ha 1iapoao1 pf hD than 40