The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-08-30
SOME HISTORICAL FACTS
ABOUT CONFEDERATE FLAGS

mat MS hrst design was tn" one
chosen by the Confederate Congress.
Mr.. smith claims that he took his
design and materials to a friend Of
his. now Mrs. y. Il. WiEdbornc. OF Pine
Top. y. g.. and requested her TO make
4 model illustrating his Idea. This
incident is related in the Confederate
Veteran of November. 1905 by Nj.
smiths daughter.
Nh S.litn claimed that his model
embodied the lGca OF me Trinity in,
three bars representing the church. the
state and the press. The blue OF :hc
union WAS cmb!omatic or the heavens
over all and the circle Of stars o.
equal size represented the equal rights
OF the respective states"
Blu; neither Nj. Marshall nor MIR
Smith can sustain their claims upon
documents and AZ history is neccs-
sarily cold blooded. 1t cannot indulge
friendship nor "hims!cally d!scrimi-
mate, therefore the author OF the de-
sign for the stars and Bars" is
sim undetermined.
There were 30 designs sent to the
Committee on tlaga and Seals, and the
stars and Bars was the ono recon =
incnded by the committee, and the
recommendation was spread upon the
minutes OF the Confederate Congress.
but the records show no further action
taken. yet the Stars and Bars" was
recognized as the national ensign from
March 4, 1861. TO May /. 1868
Not until tho lrst battle Of Manassas
was II found necessary 10. have a sCpa =
rate battlenaS. During this engage
ment. july ~, 1861. General Beaure-
gard saw a body OF troops advancing
10 his left. and could not discern
whether they We're the enemy O. Con-
fedcrates Oh account OF the similarity
Of the stars and Bars 20 the STARS
and Stripes. the Union flag. It vas
4 not. sultry day, and the aar hung
so limp about the flag staff that the
colors "eTc not even distinguishabl bic
through the field glass. This agomiz-
ing suspense was l!ttle later re-
wind spread to the breeze for one
brief moment the Confederate stars
and Bars To assure General Beaure-
gard the advancing troops wee the
promised rc!nforcements
This Incident made General i5eaurc-
gard determine that the Confederate
soldier must have i banner 80 di.tiuc.
that no doubt should ever endau=,s his
":tusc ag..u Di ihc battl"H@ld tic
discrSzcr -hc NJ. ticr With General 10
selr !. o,usoH ana other officers and
mann Sims serc subsequently, sub
mi'toI. 'rt the ono chosen vas the
model selected py General Joseph T.
io1uutaii. .hich was n blue spangled
srlt.ci upou red field Maste waa
u"cossait nut tho model chosen was
none the less acceptable Tor its sim
plicitS. le IS colors were readily dis
tincuishablc AT 4 distance. regardless
II it's position about the haS staff and
iu hcraldry the saltier is e:nblcma tic
~ strength This flag was chosen Sep
icmber, 1851. though II was not Of
''citlly adopted by Congress until II
acc1nlc incorporated in the second ma
;ioual i'a= and adopted 10y formal act
Nay D. 1863, but was the only one
known by the BODY Of Confederate sol
l'crs - il was carried in every battle
after rust Manassas. The battle Tag
- moro familiar In design and better
known 10 us all than any Of the other
nacs. because this flag lived and served
mon the teld of battle throu2h the
s,ll lives in memorial BEAUTY. in
making perpetual her clory. and fount
urou history pages rejecting with hon,
OF our principles OF local se!t-govcrn'
/ ricNt against Invasion. When we re
, call our brave generals shout at Get
tysburE. Follow, boy. He;ncr! be-
you' homes, Your wives and your
swecthearts' Yes, We say.
Thou nar of the field we love ,hee,
Thou spirit 81 those who followed.
Though tat,crcd and torn. we adore
Battle fer or our Confederacy:
Vhen the Confederate Congress as
sorA!cd IN MIy. 1863, by formal ac
i- adcpted The third flag IS . nationa
In design j: was pure white nag