Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-06-03
SMITH DESIGNED
STARS AND BARS"
Confederate Veterans Decide
Who Planned Flag under
Which They Served.

Richmond. Va, June 1.-The credit for
having designed the first flag of the con-
federatc States-the stars and bars -
is awarded to the late Major Orren Ran
dolph Smith of Louisburg, North Caro-
lima, by the United Confederate Neter-
ans committee appointed to investigate
the matter The report of the commit
tee was submitted to the reunion here to-
day by Gen. {. Irvine Walker of sum-
merville, S. c., chairman. Other MEM
bers of the committee who signed the re-
port are Maior-General Thomas Green
Pine Bluff. Ark, and Major-Gcnoral John
p Hickman, Nashville, Tenn
The subject has been one OF contro-
versy for many years and the inVestlsa-
ton and conclusions of thu committee
which was assisted in gathering evidence
by committees of the Daughters of the
ConfederacY, Sons Of Confederate Vet
Grams and the Confederated Southern Me-
mortal association, are considered of much
historic interest The veterans report
states that q most exhaustive examna-
tion of the whole matter was made Inc
findings are given in part as follows:
William Porcher Miles, for the COM
rittee on flag and seal Of the confed-
araoy, made report to the provisional
congress OF the confederate States at
Montgomery. Ala, March 4, 1861, and
with this report was submitted the Sc
iected design for the flag Mr.. Miles re-
ported that something was conceded by
the committee TO what seemed strong
desire to retain at least suggestion oil
the Did stars and stripes The design SUD-
rnittcd by the committee and Subsequent
iy approved by the congress, was practi-
callv the same as the stars and stripes.
except that the bars, red. white and red,
We're substituted for the IS stripes.
The Miles report brought out that
the southern people earnestly loved
the old Union; that they seeded there
from with deep regret when forced to
do so to maintain their rights as a
free people. and that this attachment
was so strong that the congressional
committee was obliged to recommend a
flag closely resembling old Glory
There were two claimants for the
honor of having designed the Stars
and Bars. the veterans committee
states. and evidence In support OF
their claims was presented by and on
behalf of each The claimants were
Major Orren Randolph Smith, (now de-
ceased), of Louisburg, \. G., whose
claim was presented by his daughter
Miss Jessica r. Smith. and Nicols
Marshall, an artist, who in 1861 LIVED
in Marion, Ala, and is now a resident
of Louisville. Ky. Mr.. Marschall:
claim was filed by his wife and sup
plemented by Mrs. Chappell Cory o.
birmingham, Ala. The testimony sub
mitted was considered from three
viewpoints: First. that of contempor
aneous, or local opinion of the facts
second that of the direct evidence o
persons. other than the claimants, a
to the designing and submission of tn
design to the flag committee of tn
Confederate congress- and third, tina
of statements made personally by TIL
claimants
Reviewing the testimony, the repor
continues, the committee finds:
That it was the belief, in 1861, of per
sons residing in the Immediate vicinit
of the residents of the claimants. tina
each of said claimants had submitted tn
chosen design.
THAT the lady who made Ma ior Smith
model and four other persons who say
her making it testified tina the flag wa
Major Smiths design. that it was sent t
the Confederate authorities at Mont
gomery and that it was the same as tn
stars and bars flag adopted by the Cor
federate congress. claimants Of MI
Marschall stated they did not deny tha
Major Smith sent model to Mont
gomcry. There is no evidence whateve
submitted to show that any perso
testifying except Mr.. Marschall himse
ever saw his model, of their ow
l,p "a m n