The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-16
FLAG OF THE BATH
srANDARD or ALABAMA REGIMENT
 RETURNED.
If wns Sent To Louisiana By Mt.fakes--was Captured At
 Naahville By q Missouri

The tattered battle flag of the 34th | AIabama Infantry was yesterday re- turned to Alabama's capital after it had | haen erroneously sent to Louisiana by l the War Department.
 The flag was captured by federal l Lieutenant, W. T. simmons. at Brent wood Hills, near Nashville. in 1864. He 1 was under the impression that it was the standard of the 24th Louisiana. and so inscribed the number of that regi- ment on the battle flag. When the act was passed by Congress for the return nf all colors to their respective cani- taIs. this old standard went to Louis- lana.
 It was sent to the Confederate Mem orfai Hall in New Orleans. where 1t was first seen by pr. Thomas M. Owen. Director of the Department of Archives and History It was pointed out to him by Gen. J. A. Chalaron. custodian of this memorial hall that the flag could not have been the property of tho Louisiana regiment as that regiment had been transferred to the Trans Mis- sippi Army over a year before the bat tle of Brentwood Hills. which was fought by the Army of Tennessee. Further research showed that 1t was the property of the 34th Alabama. Governor Jelks requested Governor Blanchard that the flag be sent to Ala hama. This request readily grapf- ed and the flag is now in Dr. Owens collection of over thirty regimaatal General Chalaron writes to pr. owen the following history of the flag; New Orleans, La
 Flag designated ana marked as that of the. 24th Louisiana.
 This flag is not a Louisiana com mand's battle-flag.
 
 nation given the Crescent Regiment, on the roster of the Louisiana Regi- menfs of Infantry, Volunteers. This regiment was not present at the battle of Nashville or of Brentwood Hills as the Federals style. For more than a year It had been away from the Army af Tennessee and acting with the Con- federate Army of the Trans Missis- sippi. to which 1t had boen transfar- red
 The legend on 1t is inscribed in ink along the white fillet that borders the blue cross. It reads as follow: '24th Louisiana Infantry battle-flag captur- ed by First Lieutenant w T. Simmons. Co. c. f1th Missouri Volunteers. at tho battle of Brentwood Hills. near Nash yille, December 18th. 1884
 Contradictory to this legend. is to be found on page 456 of VolXLV., Part 1, Series I, of the Rebellion Records. the report of Major M. J. Green command Ing 11th Missouri, In which Is said: In regard to the rebel flag captured by Lieutenant William T. Simmons, 1Ith Missouri Infantry, at the battle near Nashville, Tenn. DeceHnber 18th 1864. The flag belonged to the 34th Alabama Infantry. and was being borne off by the rebel color-bearer at the time our forces entered the rebel entrenchments He was ordered by Lieutenant Sim f1 bal nw.I to do so he was told he would be shot if he did not, when he surrendered the flag to the above named officer
 Lieutenant Simmons was awarded Q medal of hoonr for this capture. Two other flags were captured at the same time by the 11th Missouri. but in both eases. it Is stated: It is not known to what regiment 1t belonged.
 'The Louisiana Infantry commando In that battle were the 1st, 4th, 13th 18th, goth, 25th, 30th Regiments and 4th Battalion. 14th Battalion composing Gen. R. L. Gibson's Brigade of Gen. IT, D. Clayton's Division, stephen D. Lees Corps This Division was the right of the Corps. It repulsed the attacks of the enemy and left its works only af- ter the whole line had been broken. 1t was aboutsthe only oen to preserve it's organization and offer q bayonet front to cover the rear.
 The S4th Alabama was in Mani gauit's Brigade of Gen. Ed. Johnson s Division, which formed the left of stephen D. Lees Corps. and was broken when the lines gave way on it's left. It was completely disrupted and Gen eral Johnson was taken prisoner. The 18th Louisiana Regiment was in the same battle in Brigadier General Scott's Brigade, Loring Division, Stew arts Corps.
 The flag is after the battle-flag pattern for infantry, but it is five feet square, made of loose woven bunting, with white stars, border and fillet of cotton cloth, along the blue cross. The fillet is an inch wide. he flag bears ures, one and a half inches high It is marked and torn y bullets and shell. It appears to have seen much service It's floating edge is in shreds with a cuckle burr or two still entangled in it's meshes."
 The 34th Alabama Infantry was or- ganized at Loachapoka, Macon county, on April 14. 1862. It took part in practically all the battles of promin- ence fought by the Army of the Tennes- see and made a fine military record It's only commander was Col J. c. V. Mitchell, a Montgomerian. The regt- ment was composed of three Coosa county compaines, four Tallapoosa county companies, a Montgomery com pany. and two companies from Russell county.
 F. H. Cobb. who now resides in Mont gomery was a Lieutenant in the Mont gomery command Dr. J. N. Slaughter, who resides at Goodwater. and was Major of the regiment, is the ran..ing surviving ohlcer.