The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1913-10-24
Fifth GEORGi AS
BATTLE FLAG
Its Capture and an interest
ing Account of its Return.

nag vi INC rim 1cOI2ld NeSlHent, ~
gelher with its capture and return at a
reunion OF the regiment in 1884, held in
Macon.
The story which is the Verbatim ac-
count of The flag in active service by
Capt. John A. Fulton of the Fifth
Georgia, is furnished by Mrs. B. H.
Hood OF Dawson, who was an eye wit
ness of its return 10 the regimental re-
union in 1884 at.Macon. The last man
10 bear This flag in battle was Lieuten-
ant William G. Harp, who was killed
while bearing ii alof. Lieutenant Harp
was brother OF Hon. John H. Harp of
Putnam county, Florida, who was a
member, also, of the Fifth Georgia regi-
ment. The following is Capt. Fulton's
story of the flag:
eTal RUE, occupies more responsible
and more dangerous position Than any
other man in regiment during an en-
gagcmenI. He is placed in the center
must remain conspicuous object to his
own command, acd in so doing be-
comes a very conspicuous target for the
enemy. 1t seems that every member of
a regiment loves his flag as he would
his own son, or even as mother loves
her child, and will risk his life hun.
drcd times for its honor and protection.
Al The battle of MurfrccSboro, Dec.
81, 1862, Mir. Thomas J. Branlley OF Co.
E, fltih Georgia regiment, was color
bearer. On the morning OF the battle
and before gun was fired Mr.. Brantley
had preSenlment that he would be
killed that day and gave his money,
watch and everything he had except the
clothes he wore 10 F. Byrd, a com
rade who remained behind to guard
baggage, and requested him 10 send
them 10 his wife at Dawson and write
her The particulars of his death.
Mr.. Branlley, tall and handsome, and
brave as Caesar, waved the flag, raised
il aIoft and kept abreast or little in ad-
vance OF the line, while volley after
vOlley was poured into our ranks and
men were falling around him at a terri.
BILE rate. AS we came within about
forty PAGES of the enemy's line a ball
struck Mr. Brantley in the region of the
heart, and that precious, loyal soldier
fell dead. But before the colorS struck
the ground Lieutenant Whit EaSon. of
the Schley (Ellaville) Guards snatched
them from Mr.. Brantley'S grasp, and
with flag in one hand and sword in the
other placed himself in front of the
regiment, and while his voice was
drowned amid the roar of muSketry and
booming of cannon he was pierced
through the head by ball and fell
dead Another brave and loyal life was
sacrificed to his country. Immediately
after, Gus Burr, of the Griffin Light
Guards, caught up the colors. In few
moments afterwards he fell MORALLY
wounded, and again the flag weni
down. Monroe Stevens, of the Cuth
bert Rifles seized the flag and bore it
CALAMITY aloft, unframed, until the line
fell back, repulSed under fire that was
terrible in its results.
AT the battle of Coosahaichee, S. c.,
on the 9th OF November, 1861, our regi
mcnt lost five color bearers. Captain l..
c. Young, then a private in the 56lh
New York regiment, who is now con
ductor on the Southwestern railroad,
thus relates TO the Macon Telegraph the
capture of our flag:
The fight began about noon, the
loss being heavy on both sides. Ii was
in this fight that the flag was captured,
and no flag was ever more nobIy de-
Tended. We were Immediately in front
of the Fifth Georgia regiment, who
were supported on one flank by the
Third Georgia doe Browns Reserves.
They made gallant charge, driving us
through scdge field, but we came
back by strategic movement, overlap.
ping their left Ii was at this junclure
the flag was taken. Five times its bear
er was shot down, but the flag never
touched the ground. AS soon as one
man was shot down another ran for.
ward and took his place. lis heroic de-
tense evoked our most ardent admira
zion, and the capture OF such flag was
he ambition OF our men. The last man
that fell was so far in advance of their
line that there was none 10 raise the
colorS. The retreat had been sounded,
md the men were pushing TO the rear.
When our regiment reached the spot
here was rush for the flag. A fellow
soldier was ahead of me, and secured
he trophy, but it soon fell into my
possession, and | have treasured it 20
years with but one object, and that was
10 restore it 10 the gallant band that
fought under it on the 9th day of No.
vember, 1864"
The last man TO bear this flag in battle
Though scarcely a man in age) was
Lieutenant VIM. G. Harp of This county,
though he was a member of Co. K, Up
son Guards, his uncle, VIM. G. Horslcy,
being captain OF that company. AS Tip
Barnes OF Co. G, fell severely wounded
young Harp Snatched the flag from his
hand and moved forward so rapidly that,
amid the roar of battle, he did not hear
he command TO halt and retreat, and
was nearly half way between the con-
lending lines when he fell; hence, ii
was impossible for US 10 recover his re-
mains or the flag.
AT reunion of the Fifth Georgia
regiment at Macon in 1884 Captain
Young returned the dear old battle.
Scared flag and accompanied it with
fine speech so full of wit and humor
hat il brought smiles TO our lips and so
full of pathoS and sad remembrances
that ii brought many tears TO the eyes OF
the old veterans and the good citizens
of Macon, Ga.
CiropliEaI Cnallind