The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-29
HISTORIC BATTLE FLAG
DEVICE OF THE FoRTIETH ALA
 BAMA REGIMENT.
It is Presented to Department of Archives by Woodson Gulley of Livingston-History by
 Judge Sprott.

The Department of Archives and His tory has received an eloquent relic or bloody battle from 1881 to 1865.
 It is the shot-riddled battle flag of the 10th Regiment of Alabama Infantry. Tho | flag was sent in by Woodson Gulley ot | Livingston, a son of Colonel Ezekiel Gull ley. It is of the St. Andrews Cross style of Confederate flags, that is, blue St. Andrews cross with white stars upon a red field. A half dozen bullet holes bear eloouent testimony as to the bravery of the 40th Alabama, and of the danger 1t encountered. Upon 1t in white letters are the words Deer Creek and Vicksburg, ' two of the battles in which the regiment participated
 The following history of the flag was | written by Hon. s. H. Sprott, judge of the 9th judicial circuit.
 This was the last flag carried by the 10th Alabama Regiment and its history Is as follows. In the spring of 1884, new flags were distributed to the different regiments at Dalton, Ga, with the names of the different engagements in which each had taken part, put on the flags. The old flag of the 10th. was discarded and was taken possession of by Colonel John IT. Higley, and is now in possession of citizen of Mobile, who was member of the regiment.
 At the battle of Resaca, Ga, May 15, 1884. the color bearer, Pres Gilden, of the 10th, was killed, and the flag riddled with bullets He fell on 1t and the blood stains can now be seen on it. The regl- ment fell back and when 1t was ascer- tained that the flag had been left on the field, Adjutant C. H. Ellerbee, afterwards killed at Bentonville, N. C., and Lieuten' ant W. Y. Peteet now of Birmingham. Ala. returned to where the color bearer had fallen, and recovered 1t.
 '"The flag was carried through the Geor- gia campaign. several color bearers being wounded during the campaign.
 At the reorganization of tho army un- der General Joseph E. Johnston near smithfield, N. C.. in April, 1865, the 18th and 10th Alabama Regiments were con solidated, taxing the name of the 18th Alabama, Lieutenant Colonel E. S. 'iul- ley being in command Each regiment having a flag and the regiment having the right to carry but one, that of the 1sth was retained, and the flag of :he AOth was turned over to Colonel Gulley. who took it off the stan and put 1t in his baggage, and when the surrender took place he brought 1t home with him, and 1t remained in his possession until his death, and has been in the possession of his family ever since.
 At the battle of Bentonville, N. c. March 18th. 1885, five color bearers were shot down. carrying the flag, and when the last one fell. 1t was picked up l.y Billiard ONeal of Company A. 10th Ala bama. and carried across the breastworks when Colonel Gulley with about half the regiment, captured and crossed the breastworks. got in rear of, and went en- tirely around Sherman's army. returning to the regiment in about a week. While going around the enemy the flag was taken of the flagstaff and concealed by O'Neal so as not to attract attention. and when they succeeded in getting out, 1t was restored to the stan"