The Battery Flag and What Became of It / 1st Co Richmond Howitzers

The following was printed in The Times Dispatch, 24 September, pg. 2C, col. 7.

"Editor Times-Dispatch: 

Sir--The following personal letter was not written for publication, but I am sure will be of interest to all Howitzers, especially the account of the company's flag. I therefore take the liberty of asking space for it in the Confederate column."

  John W. Todd***
, Staunton, 1905.
"Thompson X Roads, Louisa,, Va.

Mr. Jno. W. Todd--I have just read your account of the last fight of our company. . ."

"By the way as you still keep an interest in the old days, it may interest you to know what became of the battery flag. General McClawes gave the battery a flag after Sharpsburg. As a battery had no use for a flag (the gun being the cannoniers rallying point), our flag was always carried folded up the the limber chest of the first piece. After we had spiked and buried our guns, I took the flag out of the limber chest and, with **Peter Williams, went into the bushes where I cut two holes in it for my arms and put it on under my shirt. I wore it until we got back from North Carolina in Halifax county. Then, everything having been lost, and not thinking there was any future, I took it off and we cut it up and threw the pieces in a creek. What would we not give to have it now?"-- W. Kean*

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John Wesley Todd: b. Richmond 2/26/46 Enl. By June 1864, Pvt 1st Co. Wded June 1864, returned to duty 7/25/64 with others. He left 4/9/65 with the intention of joining Johnston’s army in N.C. Paroled at Greensboro, NC 5/3/65 Postwar res Staunton. Prominent in business and civic affairs. Mbr House of Delegates, Mbr Stonewall Camp C. V. Died 8/7/1915 Bur Thomrose Cem.

( A sad end to a Glorious Banner DT. )