Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-04-08
A Busy Season for the
Forestry Department.
The Captured Confederate flags
at the Capitol.
Eleven New Corporations File Certifi-
Gates.

Hon. Edgar E. Ring. commissioner of
forestry, who is by the way, a very
busy man. these days, was at the de-
partment, yesterday, returning from
Bangor, where he met, Thursday, q
number Of timber land owners from
that city and vicinity for the purpose
of discussing the question of fire pro-
lection to wild land. The forestry de-
partment is very busy at this time, ar
ranging for the summer fire warden
service. Warning fire notices have been
sent to all incorporated towns and plan
tations in the State, for posting, the
warden service is being reOrganized,
and 1t is expected that in about ten
days the department will be prepared
to carry out the provisions Of the for
est fire law, as enacted at the last ses-
sion of the Legislature.
In speaking Of the outlook in the
lumber regions, Mr.. Ring said that the
work of driving would soon begin on
the different rivers. The recent heavy
rainfall will fill the lakes, and ensure a
good amount Of water to start the drive
with There is yet considerable ice in
the lakes and streams, and the lumber
men are in hope of getting the drives
started within ten days or two weeks,
in the smaller branches. The amount
cut on all of the rivers is a little be-
low the average, and practically all of
the logs cut for the market have been
sold. Indications point to good sea-
son for the lumber business, all of the
large concerns having fairly good sized
stocks for the seasons saving.
The action Of the United States gov
eminent in returning the cid Confeder-
ate battle flags, captured during the re-
beliOn and civil kept at Washington
to their respective states, brings to
mind the thought that perhaps the
State Of Maine may some day pass a
law returning to the South the flags
which were captured during the war,
by Maine regiments. and which now are
preserved at the Capitol. There are
about a dozen Of these old flags, tat
tered and torn and dark with the stain
of years, and perhaps with blood, and
they form little group in glass case.
in the adjutant generals private They
are as carefully preserved as the cher
ished relics Of the stars and stripes
in the rotunda, in whose presence
feeling of reverence is awakened with
in the hearts of all who behold them,
but no one feels an interest in the old
Confederate flags. and but few of the
thousands who visit the State House
annually, ask to see them. Formerly
they were in the rOtuDda. grouped
over the doors leading from 1T.
Each of these flags hears a card stat
ing by what regiment it was captured,
and in what battle, but to what South
crn regiment the flags belonged is
known only in a few instances. One OF
the flags belonged to the 18th North
Carolina regiment, ard was captured
at RappahannOck Station. Nov. Z. 1868.
by the Fifth Maine regiment, and an
other the flag of the 21st South Caro-
lima Volunteers was captured. at the
same time, AMI also by the Fifth Maine.
Another flag was that of the 32d Viz
ginia.
The majority of the flags are of the
well known type, being a red ground.
with bars Of blue crossed diagonally
and bearing the stars. but one. that or
the 21st Virginia. was the earliest de-
sign used by the Confederacy the stars
and bars" and was composed of blue
field bearing seven stars in circle.
of white. After the first battle of Bull
Run, however, this design was apln-
doncd. because, when seen at dis
lance, it resembled too closely the stars
and stripes.
That the old flags saw their share OF
the triumphants and reverses of the
lost cause is attested to by the names
vnna6 some OF
them. On the flag of the 1th North
Manassas 2d and FredericksDurg'
while that Of the 32d Virginia bears the
words Charlottesville. Wnchester'
gettysburg, and Fredericksburg. IN
addition to these. each flag pears the
names of other battles, which are con-
cealed by the way in which the rasS
are grouped in the case.
II the time does come when those
flags are returned to the South. there
are doubtless many in whose hearts
MANY memories will be awakened by
| the sight of them.
The regular monthly meeting OF the
fish and game commission was neld al
the department, Friday afternoon, the
full hoard Of commissioners being pres
| ent, The business transacted was OF d
routine nature.
Such laws as were passed by the leg
| islature, during its last session reiat-
ing to the National Guard. have been
| arranged in pamphlet form at the adj
jutant generals office. and issued TO
the different companies of the Guard.
The following corporations have filed
their certificates Of organization at the
| secretary of States office:
| International Sanitation Co. has Deen
organized at Augusta for the purpose
l of introducing and bringing into use
in the United States and in all civil
ized countries. the Layman and Par
mort Sanitary System of street sprink-
ling. with 100000 capital stock OF