History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 21

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1054

USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900 > Part 21

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Williamson, William P .- Engineer-in-chief in C. S. Navy.

Webb. William A .- Commander in C. S. Navy. Worth, A. S .- Lieutenant in C. S. Navy. Williamson. Charles H .- Surgeon in C. S. Navy. Wysham, William E .- Surgeon in C. S. Navy. Warner, James H .- Chief engineer in C. S. Navy. West, Joseph S .- Assistant engineer in C. S. Navy. White, Thomas J .- Assistant engineer in C. S. Navy. Walcott. S. F .- In C. S. Navy.

White, Fred. A .- Private in Signal Corps. Williamson, William A .- Private in Signal Corps. White, James H .- Private in Signal Corps. Walldren, Thomas-Private in Signal Corps. Wallace, George W .- Private in Signal Corps. Wiles, Samuel-Private in Signal Corps. White, William A .- Private in Signal Corps. White, James C., Jr .- Private in Signal Corps.

Yates, Samuel-Private in Co. D. 9th Va. Inf. Yates, Josiah D .- Private in Co. D. gth Va. Inf. Young, M. P .- Private in Co. K. 9th Va. Inf. engineer in navy.

Ap.

Youre, Stephen-Private in Co. I, 6Ist Va. Inf. Young, George W .- Private in Co. D. 61st Va. Inf. Young. Martial-Private in Co. C. 6th Va. Inf. Young. J. B .- Private in Co. C. 6th Va. Inf. Young, Thomas A .- Private in Co. G. 6th Va. Inf. Young, James-Private in Atlantic Art.

Young, John J .- Captain of Young's Harbor Guard- Art.

Young, C. M .- Sergeant in Signal Corps.

Young, Moses P .- Assistant engineer in C. S .Navy.

Zills. J. M .- Corporal in Norfolk Light Art. Blues.

Cherry, Ralph-Colored musician in Co. A. 3rd Va. Inf. Blamire, George-Colored musician.

On an accompanying page are presented views of the several Confederate flags, and an engraving of the Great Seal of the Confeder- acy. The following explanation of the flags will not be amiss :

CONFEDERATE FLAGS.

No. I .- The "Stars and Bars" was the first flag of the Confederate States, and is said to have been adopted by the Confederate Con- gress at Montgomery, Alabama: during the first year of the war, its use was quite general throughout Virginia.

No. 2 .- The "Battle-Flag" was designed by General Beauregard, adopted by Gen. Jo- seph E. Johnston after the first battle of Man- assas, and afterward adopted by the Confeder- ate Congress. The reason for its adoption was that in battle the "Stars and Bars" were fre- quently mistaken for the "Stars and Stripes." It remained as the "Battle-Flag" until the close of the war.

No: 3 .- On May 1. 1863, the Confederate Congress adopted this flag as the national flag. No. 4 .- On March 4. 1865, the Confeder- ate Congress adopted this design as the flag of the Confederate States, because the other when limp, was too much like a flag of truce.

We give herewith an interesting letter from Gen. Bradley T. Johnson to the Rich- mond Dispatch, on the subject of the Con- federate flags, also a copy of the Act of Con- gress of May 1, 1863, and the amendment thereto of March 4, 1865 :-

To the Editor of the Dispatch:

The Confederate flag, with the memories it arouses, is very dear to many people, and we think it but justice to perpetutate a true and accurate description of it. I can find no record of the "Stars and Bars" in the Acts of Congress. It was used by companies and regiments in Virginia in 1861, without authority, and just as a matter of taste.

After Manassas, General Beauregard had prepared at his headquarters a design for a flag, which was painted in water-colors. It was a red square. on which was displayed a blue St. Andrew's eross, bordered with white, and charged with 13 white, five-pointed stars.

This was adopted in general orders from army headquarters, and became the battle-flag of the Con- federaey, which should blaze in many a coming trial, showing its followers the way to duty and to death.

Three flags were made by "the three Cary girls" out of their own silk froeks, one for Joe Johnston. Beauregard and Van Dorn each, and were always floated at the headquarters of these generals, and on the march and in the battle showed where they were.

This was Beauregard's battle-flag!

May 1, 1863, an Aet of Congress was passed to establish the flag of the Confederate States, and it pro- vided that the battle-flag should be the union of the new flag, and that the field should be white. I never saw this flag with troops. General Lee had one in front of his headquarters. The first time this flag was ever used, and I suspect the first that was ever made, was used as a pall over the bier of "Stonewall" Jackson as he lay in state in the Governor's house at Richmond, in May, 1863. But this flag looked too much like a flag of truce. and did not show at sea, so

No. 1.

No. 2.

AMERICA

FEBRUARY 1862

INDICE

No. 3.

No. 4.

** *

* **

*****

FLAGS AND GREAT SEAL OF A NATION THAT FELL.

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

the story went, and consequently on March 4. 1865, just 28 days before the death of the Confederacy, Congress passed another Act, adding a broad red bar across the end of it. I never saw this lag, nor have I ever seen a man who did see it-or who saw a man who did see it- with this exception: Col. Louis Euker tells me that riding down to Gen. Custis Lee's quarters in Novem- ber or December, 1864. he saw this flag flying over Iloward's Grove Hospital, and his companion, a Ger- man gentleman, then serving in the Ninth Virginia Cavalry, asked him what that flag was, and this in- cident impressed itself on his memory.

There is no possibility of doubting the accuracy of Colonel Euker's memory. He is as nearly certain to be right as any man I know, but there is a confusion here. The flag was not adopted until March 4. 1865. and he saw it several months before. I explain this by thinking the design for the new flag was known and canvassed. I have a colored lithograph now, made by Hoyer & Ludwig. at the time. for Maj. Arthur L. Rogers, who designed this alteration, and gave me the picture in December. 1864. So, I take it, the doctors at the hospital had made themselves a new flag to set the fashion. But that was not a flag authorized by law, and I have yet to see a man who saw such a flag or saw any man who saw a man who saw one. After March 4. 1865, we were not making flags. Please print the Acts of Congress establishing the flags. The last act has never been printed !

BRADLEY T. JOHNSON.

Herewith is given the Act of May 1. 1863. and also the amendment thereto, passed March 4, 1865 :

An Act to establish the flag of the Confederate States :

The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact. That the flag of the Confederate States shall be as follows: The field to be white, the length double the width of the flag, with the union (now used as the battle-flag) to be a square of two-thirds the width of the flag. having the ground red: thereon a broad saltier of blue, bordered with white, and emblazoned with white mullets or five-pointed stars. corresponding in number to that of the Confederate States. (First Con- gress, third session. Approved May 1, 1863.)

The foregoing was amended by the follow- ing act :

The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact. That the flag of the Confederate States shall be as follows: The width two-thirds of the length. with the union (now used as the battle-flag) to be in width three-fifths of the width of the flag. and so proportioned as to leave the length of the field on the side of the union twice the width of the field below it: to have the ground red, and a broad blue saltier thereon bordered with white and emblazoned with mul- lets or five-pointed stars, corresponding in number to that of the Confederate States; the field to be white. except the outer half from the union to be a red bar 8

extending the width of the flag. (Second Congress, second session. Approved March 4. 1865. )

THE GREAT SEAL.

The Great Seal was provided at the third session of the first Congress of the Confederate States of America, as follows :

(No. 4.) Joint resolution to establish a scal for the Confederate States.

Resolved, by the Congress of the Confederate States of .America. That the seal of the Confederate States -hall consist of a device representing an equestrian portrait of Washington (after the statue which sur- mounts his monument in the capitol square at Rich- mond), surrounded with a wreath composed of the principal agricultural products of the Confederacy (cot- ton. tobacco, sugar cane, corn, wheat and rice), and having around its margin the words: "The Confederate States of America, twenty-second February, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, with the following motto: "Dco vindice."

Approved April 30, 1863. (C. S. Statutes at Large).

Hon. J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of State of the Confederate States, in his dispatch of May 20, 1863. ( No. 23) to Hon. James M. Mason, Commissioner of the Confederate States near the government of Great Britain, expressed the- will of Congress with regard to the proposed. seal in the following manner :

(No. 23.) DEPARTMENT OF STATE, . RICHMOND, May 20, 1863.

HON. JAMES M. MASON, &c., &c .. &c ..

London.

Sir : * *

* * *

Congress has passed a law establishing a seal for the Confederate States. I have concluded to get the work executed in England, and request that you will do me the favor to supervise it. You will receive herewith a copy of the Act of Congress describing the seal. and a photographic view of the statue of Wash- ington. The photograph represents the horse as stand- ing on the summit of an obelisk, but in the seal the base ought to be the earth, as the representation is to . be of a horseman and not of a statue. The size de- sired for the seal is the circle on the back of the photograph. The outer margin will give space for the words "The Confederate States of America, 22d Feb- ruary. 1862." I do not think it necessary that the date should be expressed in words, the figures 22. 1862, being a sufficient compliance with the requirement- of

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

the law. Indeed. I know that in the drawing sub- mitted to the committee that devised the seal, the date was in figures and not in words. There is not room for the date in words on the circumference of the Seal without reducing the size of the letters so much as to injure the effect. In regard to the wreath and the motto. they must be placed as your taste and that of the artist shall suggest, but it is not deemed im- perative, under the words of the Act, that all the agri- cultural products (cotton, tobacco, sugar cane, corn, wheat and rice) should find place in the wreath. They are stated rather as examples. I am inclined to think that in so small a space a. the wreath must necessarily occupy it will be impossible to include all these products with good effect. and in that event I would suggest that cotton, rice and tobacco, being distinctive products of the southern, middle and northern States of the Confederacy, ought to be retained. while wheat and corn being produced in equal abundance in the United States as in the Confederacy and therefore less dis- tinctive than the other products named, may better be omitted, if omission is found necessary. It is not de- sired that the work be executed by any but the best artist that can be found, and the difference of expense between a poor and a fine specimen of art in the en- graving is too small a matter to be taken into con- sideration in a work that we fondly hope will be re- quired for generations yet unborn.

Pray give your best attention to this, and let me know about what the cost will be and when I may expect the work to be finished.

The seal was presented to the State of South Carolina about 1887, and is kept in the office of the Secretary of State. It is about three inches in diameter, nearly correspond- ing in size to the engraving that appears on a preceding page.

Mr. Mason contracted with Mr. Wyon, an artist of London, to execute the seal, the price of which is shown by the following bill :

J. M. MASON, EsQ .-

To JOSEPH S. WYON. Chief Engraver of Her Majesty's Seals, Etc., 287 Regent Street, London, W.

1864 July 2. Silver Seal for the Confederate States of America, with ivory handle, box with spring lock and screw press. £S.1

3.000 wafers 1 10

1,000 seal papers 7

1,000 strips of parchment. 18

roo brass boxes 16

100 cakes of wax 7

100 silk cords 6

I perforator

3 packing cases lined with tin. 3

£122 10

By cash. 21 March, £42.

Settled by cheque for balance. 6th July, 1864.

SISTERS OF MERCY.

Probably the first organization for nursing the Confederate soldiers originated in Ports- mouth, Virginia. In the spring of 1861, soon after the arrival of the Southern troops, the various camps around the city were attacked with measles and other diseases. The accounts of the sad condition of these brave men who had sacrificed so much in our behalf. aroused the women of Portsmouth to make an effort to ameliorate their condition. A meeting of the most prominent ladies of the community resulted in the formation of a society to nurse the sick Confederates from the Southern States. The following is a verbatim copy of the circular sent out to solicit aid from our citizens :

The Sisters of Mercy. The ladies of Portsmouth desirous to do all that they can to ameliorate the con- lition of the sick strangers who have so nobly left their homes and come to the defense of Virginia have formed themselves into a society called "The Sisters of Mercy." They will nurse the sick either at the hospitals or at any other place in the city to which they may be conveyed ; will prepare nourishment, and do all in their power to promote the comfort and health of their patients.

Managers-Mrs. W. H. Wilson, Mrs. Bilisoly, Mrs. Fannie Toomer, Mrs. J. C. White, Mrs. Tatem. Mrs. Abbie K. Staples, Mrs. Elizabeth Bourdette, Mrs. M. W. Armistead, Mrs. W. C. Smith, Mrs. Pinner. Mrs. C. A. Grice, Mrs. Cozbell. Mrs. Bettie Parrish and Mrs. H. C. Orr.

This appeal met with a generous response from all classes of society, and the ladies went to work with skill, energy and devotion to make the affair a success. Many of the sick soldiers were boarding at the Ocean House, and the first few weeks after the society was organized the ladies devoted their time 10 nursing these men. They were unfortunate in this attempt, and after losing two patients they determined to open a house exclusively under their own control, which should combine the comforts of a home with the care and attention of a well-kept hospital .. In accordance with this plan, they made efforts to secure a suitable building and arranged matters to place the society on a working base.

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

The American House, a large, unfurnished building formerly used as a hotel, was placed at their disposal, and with busy hands and warm hearts the ladies went rapidly to work. .All the essentials necessary to a comfortable home were soon collected. The colonels of the Georgia regiments gave substantial aid by de- taching men to assist in the heavier work of nursing. On the 8th of June. 1861, "The Hos- pital of the Sisters of Mercy" was ready for the first installment of sick Confederates.

The work was arranged systematically, and it has often been said, that at no time during the war was more devoted work carried out more quietly and unostentatiously. To each day of the week two managers were appointed. whose duty it was to provide the meals for that dlay, see that the sick were well attended, visit patients, give such care as they needed, super- intend the servants, provide tempting dishes for those whose appetities could not take the usual nourishment, in fact from early morn until 9 P. M. become house mothers to that suffering band so far away from their homes and loved ones. The town was divided into districts, and to each manager certain streets were assigned, and from contributors on those streets the meals for that day were furnished. In this manner most of the meals were provided by the housekeepers ready cooked. Several la- dies sending breakfast, many more dinner and others supper. The merchants sent uncooked provisions, the commissary furnished the siek with rations. Those of our ladies whose circumstances did not allow them to contrib- ute were glad to help the cause by cooking the provisions thus provided. In this manner a large amount of well cooked nourishment was always ready. Such breakfasts, such dinners. such suppers as found their way to that Amer- ican House could only be found in Southern homes, in ante-bellum times. Each contributor seemed to vie with the other as to who should send most and best. Those were the early days of the Confederacy. Hope sat at every hearth- stone, smiling faces and bright eyes talked of war but knew it not. The days of fat bacon,

black-eyed peas and rye coffee were yet in the dim future, but when the darkness fell, the same hearts and hands were found just as earnest, just as faithful, just as devoted and to none in history can a higher place be given than to the women of the South.

From the 8th of June, 1861, when the first sick soldier was admitted, until the evacuation of Norfolk in May, 1862, the hospital was successfully carried on. The number of pa- tients received was large and the death rate remarkably small, the list before me containing the names of 149 admissions up to August 1, 1861. In March, 1862, the ladies were re- quested by Dr. Blacknall to transfer their labors to the U. S. Naval Hospital, at that time being used by the Confederate authorities as a government hospital. After some debate and hesitation it was decided to agree to his request.

The American House was given up and the organization bestowed its attention on the sick at this hospital.

When the evacuation of Norfolk occurred, six sick and wounded soldiers were left to the care of these ladies who removed them to pri- vate houses and nursed them until their re- covery.

When this work was completed the society found its "occupation gone," but its spirit still lived. During the dark days of Federal occu- pancy the needy wives and children of our ab- sent soldiers were supplied with food and other necessities from the scanty stores of this brave and devoted band. Since the surrender "The Sisters of Mercy" has developed into "The Ladies Memorial AVid Society" whose object is to assist the widows and orphans of our sol- diers, and to care for and decorate the graves of our brave men, who so freely gave their lives in our defense. Nobly have they fulfilled their mission.

From June 12. 1866, when "The Ladies Memorial Aid Society" was organized. until May 24, 1900, each year the public has beheld only one phase of their work,-the well-known demonstration, Portsmouth Memorial Day,

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

having been originated, sustained and exclu- sively managed by this society until the organ- ization of Stonewall Camp. C. V .. since which time this work has been shared between them. This society has had under its care more than 65 orphans whom they have assisted to educate as well as to feed and clothe; very many widows whose needs have always been care- fully supplied. They have relieved numbers

of sick soldiers and buried many of those who have died.

It is impossible to give even a faint outline of their labor of love during these thirty-six years of ceaseless activity. In all this time there has never been an interruption either in their organization or in their systematic benevolence.

VIRGINIA S. STAPLES.

CHAPTER VIII

MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY-Continued

CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS AT PORTSMOUTH AND NORFOLK-CONFEDERATE VETERANS' CAMPS OF NORFOLK, PORTSMOUTH AND BERKLEY-UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY CHAPTERS AT NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH.

CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS MONUMENTS.

Portsmouth.

On May 8, 1875, a meeting of the citizens of Norfolk County was called to organize a monumental association. Judge J. F. Crocker was chosen to the chair, and the following permanent committee appointed : Judge J. F. Crocker, president : Maj. William H. Eth- ridge, of Norfolk County, and Col. William White, of Portsmouth, vice-presidents; Maj. George W. Grice, treasurer; Oscar V. Smith, secretary. Directors : B. A. Armistead, John T. Griffin, J. G. Wallace, Thomas H. Brown, Alonzo Ives, Thomas M. Hodges, of Norfolk County, Maj. W. C. Wingfield, E. G. Ghio, Capt. James H. Toomer, Col. D. J. Godwin, Capt. John H. Gayle, Capt. W. H. Murdaugh, Maj. F. W. Jett. Capt. C. W. Murdaugh, Judge L. R. Watts, Capt. C. T. Phillips, and Col. William H. Stewart, of Portsmouth. Charles E. Cassell. then of Portsmouth, was chosen architect. At a meeting held in the following November, a committee was ap- pointed to select a site for the monument. The one selected was at the intersection of High and Court streets, opposite the court house, and the directors accepted it.

On December 14, 1876, the corner-stone was laid with imposing ceremonies. Judge C. W. Murdaugh delivered the address. The cap-stone was raised by the ladies and the children June 15, 1881.

The monument is a plain granite shaft 35.6 feet high, surmounted by a capstone, and resting upon a base 20 feet high, 15 feet square. It has on the four corners of the base bronze figures representing the arms of mili- tary service .- Infantryman, Cavalryman, Sail- or and Artilleryman.

The monument bears only the inscription, "To Our Confederate Dead," and the dates 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, around the shaft. It was dedicated June 15, 1893, with simple and impressive ceremonies. Capt. R. C. Marshall delivered the oration. The mili- tary turned out, and the Grand Camp Con- federate Veterans of Virginia, then in session in Portsmouth, attended the services.

The lowest bid for the monument was $19,000, but the Raleigh & Gaston Railroad Company gave us the granite from their quar- ry ; and we only paid for the cutting of it,- $1.730. That road and the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad Company transported it to Portsmouth free of charge. Through the gen- erosity of these corporations, W. H. V. Will-

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

iams, the last treasurer, reported that the beau- tiful monument, entirely paid for, only cost $9,236.34. This amount was raised by volun- tary subscription and through the inde- fatigable efforts of Maj. F. W. Jett and the ladies.

This was one of the first monuments erect- ed to the "Confederate Dead." Quite a num- ber of individual memorials had been raised in Richmond and elsewhere.

Portsmouth has the proud distinction of having furnished us more soldiers than it had voters. Only 900 names appeared on the vot- ino list, but when the muster call was sounded, 1,400 brave hearts donned the grey.

Vorfolk.

About the first day of January, 1868, an effort was begun to raise funds for the erec- tion of a monument in Norfolk to the memory of Confederate soldiers and sailors.

On the 22nd of February, 1899, the cor- nerstone of the beautiful monument which now stands on Market Square was laid with Ma- sonic rites in the presence of a great concourse of people. Tlie shaft is 50 feet high and is to be surmounted by a statue eight and one- half feet high, and there will be four figures at the base six feet and nine inches high,- on one face of the monument is the Con- federate Battle-Flag and on another the Great Seal of the Confederacy.

The monument was erected under the auspices of the Pickett-Buchanan Camp, Con- federate Veterans, and is a beautiful testi- monial to the devotion and valor of the "Con- federate Dead."

CONFEDERATE VETERANS.

Pickett-Buchanan Camp, Norfolk.

Pickett-Buchanan Camp, Confederate Vet- erans, was named for Maj .- Gen. George E. Pickett, who commanded the Virginia Di- vision, which made the immortal charge at Gettysburg, and Admiral Franklin Buchanan,

who commanded the iron-clad "Virginia" on the 8th of March, 1862.

The camp was chartered on the 19th day of February, 1885, at Norfolk, Virginia, for the purpose not only of keeping fixed upon the records of memory the deeds and characteris- tics of their comrades who have made greater sacrifices-even of life-than have been de- manded of them, for the Sacred Lost Cause; but, as far as they can, to keep alive that fra- ternity born of the dangers of the battle-field -the hardships of the march and camp-and to alleviate, as far as they can, the temporal needs of those who are yet with them in time and sentiment.

ROLL OF COMRADES.

Addison, James S .- Private in Co. D. Huger's Battery- Art.

Adamıs, James-Private in 6ist Va. Ini.

Avery, J. W .- Major 17th S. C. Volunteers.

Anderson, E. Willoughby-Captain of Artillery. Anderson, John R .- Private in Co. A, 6th Va. Inf.

Archibald, M. R .- Sergeant in Co. A, Ist Ga. Inf.

Allyn, Joseph T .- Ist lieutenant and ordnance officer, Lane's Battalion.

Armstrong, Rev. George D .- Volunteer on staff of Gen- eral Longstreet.

Arps, George L .- Quartermaster sergeant, 17th N. C. Inf.

Anderson, J. S .- Private in Co. D, Huger's Battery- Art. Anderson, Charles W .- Sergeant-major, 34th Tenn. Inf. Anderson, J. H .- Private in Ist Co. Richmond Howit- zers-Art.

Anderson, Peter-Private in Co. A, 6th Va. Inf.

Auter. Charles G .- Sergeant-maior in 24th Tenn. Inf. Abdell, W. H .- Private in Co. H, 6th Va. Inf. Askew, J. M .- Private in Co. H, 6th Va. Inf.

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History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 21

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912 Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1054

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1054