The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-16
Letter. te tbe Gditer
The 9th Alabama Flag.
 Darlf,, nalla- CA Alo

April 14, 1905.
 Will you kindly allow me a few lines to express sentiments prompted by great interest in a subject dear to the heart of Confederate soldier? noted with great interest in your issue flag Tus;dt Aaf S Assms sr'fss Rssment sas written by J. W. Williams, of Greens. bore. remember Captain Williams well he being former r, schooimase ndas ,Se os tute1age of Professor Tutwiler in ante bellum days. I knew him also in the army. as captain of the Greensboro entered a battle field. His reference to the capture of our flag gives the first In that memorable and bloody battle of Charlottesville I was a participant as q member of the Cahaba Rifles from Rass Sress GareSS GSqnSS with Esfa yYsy yaeR Re son that Saturday. when at nightfall we surprised and routed Seigers corps (which were at supper) with the loss think his T name me- was va Donaho. of our company. After driving the enemy out into the night. we came back and camped in their breastworks.. where we novelty, consoled us for the forced march and the race after the Yankees.
 But the next morning (sundayl told q met its doom. After being sheiled so long in the woods, and so gallantly taking. the breastworks. as Captain Williams says, we were surrounded and almost annihilated. Being one of the unfortunate ones, as.L was shot down and taken prisoner. could not know the fate of our flag, It was not until wounds were dressed in. the city of Washington, and not until we were in the hospital did we learn of the fate of General Jackson. :, article that Colonel O'Neal commanded the regiment at Chancellorsville. My recollection is that, after. lying for before charging the breastworks, the first intimation we had of any orders was given by young Lieutenant Rem free fr of the Taliadega company; o.d1 who Come on and take that breastwork!" He was shot down almost before he had finished the order; but the gallant were taken. But the sequel! It makes one shudder to recall the scene. Mess mates and friends shot down within their faces again and never even know ing where or how they were buried!
 A little incident may not be out of place here to show the feeling. Gen. eral Rhodes had for his old regiment which he had drilled so long and so hard at Pensacola before going to Vir- ginia. A brother of the writer. who Regiment, feeling anxious about the fate of two brothers. sought out Gen. eral Rhodes after the battle and en- quired about the 9th Alabama, The bama played hell this morning." Whit ing, his adjutant, remarked. General. you are mistaken, the 5th was the one you ordered, before being so badly cut Mp." "Oh," said the General, T thought my boys would not go back on oten tSa very little has ever been written concerning the ex- ploits of the 5th Regiment. Doubtless 1t is because so few were left to tell battle, and never a stain upon her escutcheon. She was one of the first to go out from the State, and was prominent positions. There are now few left, and the remnant fast falling away. Soon there will be none to an- swer roll call.
 cannot close this without referring to one-noble. brave and chivalrous-Hor- ace Chiffon, 2. friend and messmate of and doubtless still has relatives living there The night before the fight he called me to him by the campfire and the flag, and shali carry 1t where 1t is ordered. If you escape. try and find me and take from my pocket certain papers" This was before the battle of Cold Harbor, and as you see he. had presentiment of his death. Instinct lively I watched the flag during the bat tie, and when it fell I knew that my noble friend was gone. After our troops drove the enemy from the field that night. a comrade and myself crept out and in the darkness felt many bodies, hoping to find him by a velvet cap which he wore. But the field had been gone over already, perhaps from different motives. and as to light a match was to invite the fire of the ene- my's pickets, we had to give 1t up
 My memory fails me somewhat as to who actually commanded the regiment during the battle of Chanceliorsville. think Colonel Hall of Clark County commanded on Saturday, but the terri- ble experiences of Sunday morning were enough, as the darkies say, "to keep a fellow much illustrated" and almost make him forget the name of his grand mother. It certainly was "a time to try mems souls"
 My name has never appeared in print and must ask you pardon for making this so long. The flag of the 9th Ala bama Is a theme which stirs the soul of an old soldier who once followed 1t.
 c. Warning Smith,
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