The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-19
TWO MORE FLAGS
ARE COMING HOME
Banner of Fourteenth Alabama
is in New York
ONE OF THEM UNIDENTIFIED
Special Act of New York Legislature
Is Necessary for Their Return,
But 1t Is Thought This
Will Be Passed.
ONE OF THEM UNIDENTIFIED

Montgomery. July IS. = (special,)-
Through Z activities of the state de-
partment of archives and history two
more flags of Alabama regiments In the
Confederate service. captured by Union
commands are to be returned At least
1t now seems that there will be no trou-
BILE in having them sent back home They
are the flag of the Fourteenth Alabama.
captured near Glover Hill, Va, April Q.
1865 and an unknown regiment taken at
Antietam by Company E. Thlrty-ifth New
York volunteers, with no date or identi-
fication marks.
These flags are in possession of the
Grand Army of the Republic, New York
division and attention was called to them
recently. DIR. Thomas Nj. Owen, director
of the department of archives and history,
at once made known the fact to Governor
Jelks, who wrote to the adjutant general
of the division at Albany asking for the
return of the flags. A letter has been
received assuring the governor of the
willingness of the department to return
the banners, but saying that such action
can only be taken by act of the leglsla-
ture in January and those in charge of
the old banners think it will be passed
easily.
Flag of 18th.
One of the flags held in New York and
identified is that of the Fourteenth Ala
bama, raised largely in the middle section
of the state. It's colonel was Thomas ].
Judge of Montgomery, with d. w Baine,
Faf So
as lieutenant colonel. DIR. ]. B. CASTOR,
now probate judge of Montgomery county,
was the surgeon. The only group picture
of the field and staff officers of a Con-
federate regiment in possession of the
state is one of the Fourteenth in the gall
lery of the department of archives and
history
The other flag is not identified and DR..
Owen is anxious that all who hear any
thing that will help to make it known
notify him. AS noted 1t was captured at
Antietam by a company of the Thirty
fifth New York. If there are any men,
bers of the Alabama forces who fought
such a body of soldiers at that place
they will confer a favor by writing the
state department and giving what they
know of the engagement.
Besides the flags returned by Congress
the state has secured through the depart
ment of archives and history the flag Of
the Eighteenth Alabama from the Mill
tary Service Institute at Governors Is
land New York; of the Perote guards,
from Wisconsin Historical society. and
the Twenty eighth Alabama from Mrs
George Dewey.
The Letter Received.
The following is the letter received
about the flags from the adjutant general
of the New York division. G. A. r.:
Gen. Headquarters, State New York.
Adjutant Generals Office. Albany,
July IL, 1906
Hon. w. D. Jelks, Governor State of
Alabama, Monts omery. Ala.
'Sir-I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your communication of the
18th ultimo, addressed to the board Of
governors OF the Grand Army of the Re
public. New York division, relative to
certain flags of your state now in the
have to inform you that in accordance
with the records, on examination | find
among the war relics:
NO. 296. One Confederate battle flag
taken near Clover Hill, Va, April o. 1865
Fourteenth Alabama written with in
dehble pencil on edge. Blue cross bars
with stars. center star evidently cut out
One end cut off so that two stars are
missing.
mo. 800. Flag of an Alabama. regiment
captured at Antetam by Stanisaws Bur-
rooux. Company E. Thirthy-ffth New
York Volunteers. No marks of ldentifica-
ton.
'It would give me pleasure at this time
to return these flags to your state to be
cared for by the department of archives
and history, were 1t not for the fact that
under the laws of this state such action
can only be taken through act of the
legislature. desire to assure you at this
time that such a measure will be formu-
lated for introduction at the next session
January, 1907, and I feel that without
doubt favorable action will be taken au-
thorizing the return by this state not
alone of the Confederate flags carried by
troops of your own. but those belonging
to other states. Very respectfully,
NELSON II. HENRI
"Adjutant General"