The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-06-07

lngton Artillery OF New Orle
members OF the command who fol-
lowed it through the civil war. during
the Confederate parade today.
The veterans who marched under
the flag today followed it from
Manassas to Appomattox during
the civil war; their fathers followed
IL during the Mexican war; their sons
followed it through the Spanish
American war, and their grandsons
will follow it where It leads in
France.
Guarded By Tender Sentiment.
The tender care and esteem bestowed
on this flag is sufficient to keep II
in q safety deposit vault in its home
New Orleans.
It was only by the most sacred
promises OF extraordinary care that
Gen w. ]. Behan, for many years
commander OF the Washington Artil-
lery Veteran Association. was per-
mitted to bring it to the first reunion
OF the Confederates above the Mason
Dixon line.
Back in 1910. when most OF the sur
viving members Of the organization
who served under this banner during
the civil war were in swaddlinT
clothes, the Washington ArtillerySwas
organized.
From the very outset the company
was called the "Wesr Point OF the
South" Only the highest type, social
ly' were permitted to enlist in the
command. At that time, ii consisted
or one company OF 100 men.
The nag was presented to the COM
pany by the women OF New Orleans.
During the Mexican war the company
followed where the flag led. 1t led
many OF them to their death
Symbol Of Social Set.
During the interval from the Next
can to the civil war the flag was the
symbol OF the social set OF New
Orleans.
The command was recruited up to
six companies at the outbreak OF the
civil war. Every man of them went
into action at Manassas. Not ALI OF
them were mustered out after
Appomattox, however, although the
flag few over them during the long
bloody four years.
Continually the number following
the hand-embroidered flag diminished,
only to be recruited as fast as pos
stble. Toward the end of the war
the former battery of six companies
was, through killed, wounded, and
captured, reduced to about 100 men,
the original mastering strength.
For a long time after the war, the
survivors OF the Washington Artillery
were forced to lay aside their flag,
but with new era of prosperity the
command was again recruited to full
strength.
When the call came at the Span
ish-American war. the command, still
drilling under the old banner, now
revered by every member OF the
outfit, again followed II into action.
After that duty was over, the flag
of the famous Washington Artillery
was laid away amid tales of its in
spiration.
A few months ago, when the ma
ttonal guard OF New Orleans was or /,
dered into Federal service, the flag
went with them to the Mexican Dor |
der. where 1t stayed for eight months. |
Then it was brought back safely. !
zealously guarded and placed in a I
secure place. from which IL was {
brought only on the most suspicious /
occasions. l
May Go to France.
Awaiting the call that will take |
them to France, the men OF the Wash /
ington Artillery look to the old flag. 1
veteran OF four strenuous campaigns,
to lead them against the German /
foe.
Today. eight of the men who
served under the flag in its second !,
marched under It. per
haps for the last time.
Proudly bearing II was Charles
". Fox. who said: II would
rather miss the rest OF the reunion
than to miss carrying. that old ban
ner." Others marching with 1t
were General Behan, Sumter Turner,
J. VI. Lahore. Charles Smith, T. w.
Dyer. J. A. White, and A. c. Busch.