New Britain herald., 1915-06-02
SMITH DESIGNED
"STARS and BARS
United COnfederated Veterans
Committee Declares in Report


oi their tWenty-fifth annual reunion
aWoke today after night of cold
drenching rain that reminded them
81 the thousands at Camp Henry G.
fifty years and more ago. Notwith-
standing the downpour the enthusiasm
q the thousands at Camy Henry c.
Stuart had not been dampened. The
RI fair ground buildings resisted the at
tack of the elements and the veterans
we're made comfortable by supplies
rushed to the scene by relief organiza-
TINS of the city.
The convention today was given
ever to business of the United Con-
federate Veterans.
Flag Designed by Major Smith.
The credit for having designed
the first flag Of the Confederate
! states-tlle Stars and Bars'-is
awarded to the late Major orren
Randolph Smith, of. Louisburg,
North Carolina, by the United Con-
federate Veterans committee, APP
pointed to Investigate the matter. The
report of the committee was submit
ted to the reunion here today by Gen
eraI C. Irvine Walker. of Summeryile
S. c., chairman Other members of
the committee who signed the report
Pine Bluff, Ark, and Major-General
/ John p Hickmon, Nashville, Tenn.
% The subject has been one of con-
! troversy for many years and the inves
] 1tigation and conclusions of the COM
nitee, which was assisted in gather
ing evidence by committees of the
daughters of the Confederacy, Sons
9Of Confederate Veterans and the Con-
federated Southern Memorial associa-
tiep, are considered of much historic
/ interest. The veterans report states
J that a most exhaustive examination
! Of the whole matter was made. The
findings are given in part as follows:
Submits selected Design.
'sWiliiam Porcher Miles, for the !
comittee on Flag and Seal OF the Con-
federacy made report to the provis-
icnal congress of the Confederate |
states, at Montgomery, Ala, March 4,
A1S61, and with this report was sub !
ymitted the selected design for the !
flag. Mr.. Miles reported that some
Ithing was conceded by the comittee /
It'd what seemed a strong desire to re-
| tain at least a suggestion of the old I
Star and Stripes. The design submit
ted by the committee and subsequent
/ ny approved by the congress- was prec-
Rticaliy the same as the Stars and
StrIpss, except that the bars, red,
white and red, were substituted for
She thirteen stripes.
THE Miles report brought out that
the Southern people earnestly loved /
he old Union: that they seeded
herefrom with deep regret when
Forced to do so to maintain their
.ights as a free people, and that this
Rttachment was so strong that the
ongressional committee was obliged
orecommend flag closely resemb-
inE old Glory !"
n Two Claimants For Honor.
There weer two claimants for the
honor OF having designed the Stars I
land Bars, the veterans committee i
states, and evidence in support of their I
ilaiIns were presented by and on be- |
1alf0sof each. The claimants were I
tajor Orren Randolph Smith, (now
deceased), J Of Louisburg, n. c., whose t
laim was presented by his daughter. /
lfiss Jessica r. Smith, and Nicola
farschaH, an artist, who in 1851 lived |
ri Marion, Ala. and is now a resident |
Louisville. KY. Mr.. MarschalTs I
i6ffn was filed by his wife and sup
femented by Mrs. Chappell Cory of
drmingham, Ala. The testimony sub
itted was considered from three I
Viewpoints: First, that of contempor-
lneous, or local opinion of the facts; /
Eecond, that of the direct evidence of
beFsons, other tnan the claimants, as
% the designing and submission of /
he design to the flag committee of i
he Confederate congress. and third, /
pat Of statements made personally
Y the claimants
Reviewing the testimony, the report
pntinues, the committee finds:
That 1t was the belief in 1861 of /
ersons residing in the immediate vi /
nifty of the residence of the claim |
lts, that each of said claimants had |
admitted the chosen design .
!. Mayor Smiths Design.
"That the lady who made Major |
nit11,s model and four other persons
ho saw her making 1t testified that |
= Dag was Major Smiths design ti1a1
|Nas sent to the Confederate authorKj
b at Montg emery and that it was
same as the Stars and Bars flag I
crAed by the Confederate congress.
kimants Of Mr.. Marsci1all stated they
{anot deny that Major Smith sent a
bdel to Montgomery. There is no
dence whatever submitted to show /
st any person testifying except Mr.. /
rschall himself, ever saw his n cdel, 4
of their own1 knowledge knew thai
Ia was made, or tht it was handed |
the Confederate congressional COM
ktess
Your comittee is not, from the ev-
nee before it, convinced that Mr. /
Irschaf1 ever submitted q design for /
flag. The evidence does show that /
jor Smith did submit a design. |