The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-08-10
FLAG Of LOST CAUSE
History Of the Battle ColorS OF
the Confederacy.
DREWTHElR OWNDESIGNS
Reauregard, Johnston and cabell Plan.
ned u After the Battle Of Manss.
sss-Woren Of the South Contrib.
uted Their Red and Blue SILK
Dresses for the Banner.

The Confederate Veteran, the ofii.
cial organ Of the &. 5. A. Veterans,
recently invited Gen. w. l.. Cabell,
lieutenant general commanding the
Transmississippi Department, to pre-.
pare history OF the battle flag OF
the Confederacy. His report follows:
When the Confederate army, com.
manded by Gen. Beauregard, and the
Federal army confronted each other
At Manassas, 1t was seen that the
Confederate nag and the Stars and
Stripes looked ct q distance so much
alike that II was hard to distinguish
one from the other. Gen. Beauregard
thinking that serious mistakes might
be made in recognizing our troops,
after the battle of the 18th OF July at
Blackburn Ford, ordered that a small
red badge should be worn on the left
shoulder by our troops, and as | was
chief quartermaster, ordered me TO
purchase q large amount Of red fan.
mel and distribute 1t TO each regiment.
| distributed the red flannel TO a NUN.
Der OF regiments, who placed badges
on the left shoulders of the men.
During the battle OF Bull Run it was
plainly to be seen that great number
Of Federal soldiers wore a similar red
badge. | saw these badges on a mum
Der Of prisoners We captured thai day.
Gems. Beauregard and johnston
met at Fairfax Court House in the
latter part Of August or early In Sep
tember, and determined 10 have a bat.
tie flag for every regiment or detach.
ed command that could easily be rec
egnized and easily carried. was
telegraphed to come at once to Fair.
fax Court House. | found both Gems.
Beauregard and Johnston in Gen
Beauregard's office discussing the
kind Of flag that should be adopted.
Gen. JOhnston's flag was in the shape
of an ellipse, a red flag with blue ST.
Andrews cross and stars on the
cross white to represent the differ.
ent Southern States no white bOr-
der Of any kind was attached TO this
CROSSE Gen. Beauregard's was Il rec
tangle, red with blue ST. Andrews
cross and white stars similar to Gen.
Johnston's.
After we had fully discussed the
two styles, taking into consideration
the cost Of the material and the care
,f making the same, it was decided
hat the elliptical flag would be hard
IN, al. ha. al
cloth, and that it could not be seen so
plainly at a distance; that the rectan-
.:ular flag, drawn by and suggested
by Gen. Beauregard should be adopt
cd. Gen. Johnston yielded al once
when the reasons given by Gen.
Beauregard and myself were so good
And substantial. No one knew about
this flag but we three until an order
was issued adopting the Beauregard
Dag, as 1t was called and directing
me. as chief quartermaster, to have
the flags made as soon as it could be
done.
II Immediately issued an address to
the good ladies' OF the South to give
ne their red and blue silk dresses,
and to send them to Capt. Collin Nc
Rae Selph, quartermaster at Rich
nond, Va. Capt Selph is now living
in New Orleans, where he was as
asted by two elegant young ladies',
the Misses Careys from baltimore,
and Mrs. Gen. Henningsen of Savan-
nah. The Misses Careys made battle
aags for Gems. Beauregard and Van
Dorm. and l think for Gen J. E. John.
ston, and they made Gen Beauregard's
sut Of their own silk dresses.
This nag is now In Memorial Hall,
New Orleans. La, with statement
Of that fact from Gen. Beauregard.
Gen. Van Dorn's nag was made of a
heavier material, but very pretty.
Capt. Selph had a number OF these
Aags mado. and sent them to me at
Manassas. They were distributed by
Srder Of Gen. Beauresard. One flag
l had made. and gave it to the Wash.
tngton Artillery. They have 1t yet.
Ny wife. who was in Richmond, made
beautiful nag out Of her own dresses
silk), and sent 1t 20 q cousin of hers,
Who commanded an Arkansas regi-
msnt. This nag was lost at Elk Horn,
but was recaptured by Missouri divi-
sion under Gen. Henry Little. 1t be-
inE impossible to get silk enough to
make the great number Of flags need
cd, | had number made out of blue
and red cotton cloth. l then issued
. circular letter to the quartermasters
Of every regiment and brigade in the
army to make aags and TO use any
blue and red cloth suitable that they
could get. Gems. Beauregard and
Johnston. being both good draughts-
men, drew their own designs. The
statsmept going the rounds that this
battle nag was hrst designed by .
federal prisoner is false; not one word
Of truth In II. No living soul except
Gens. Bsauressrd and Johnston and
myself kasw anything about this flag
until the order was issued direct to
me TO have them made as soon az II
could be deAs."