Making Flags (“Blood and War At My Doorstep, North Carolina Civilians in the War Between the States.)

North Carolina War Between the States Sesquicentennialwww.ncwbts150.com"The Official Website of the North Carolina WBTS Sesquicentennial Commission"

Newly added to our website is “Regimental Flags From Ladies Hands,” an interesting and detailed glimpse of the making of regimental flags for North Carolina troops in early 1861. The page is an adaptation of Chapter 2, Volume 1, “Making Flags” – from Brenda Chambers McKean’s new book, “Blood and War At My Doorstep, North Carolina Civilians in the War Between the States. The two-volume set can be ordered from the website below, or directly from the author at: Brenda McKean, 125 Fork Junction Road, Timberlake, NC 27583.

www.bloodandwaratmydoorstep.com

“Making Flags” (excerpt):

“A flag presentation from the ladies of Washington to the Jeff Davis Rifles, captained by J.R. Corner, June 21, 1861, was featured in the newspaper:

Dear Sir:

It is our pleasant duty to present you and your gallant company with the accompanying flag. The ladies of [Little] Washington have made it for you. With every stitch has been

woven[,] thought of the gallant men who are so soon to risk their lives in our defense, perchance some silent tears have spoken of feelings too deep for utterance, but think

not, our tears flow from any cowardly wish to withdraw those we love from this glorious contest. Not so, our hearts may be wrung with sorrow but the ladies of Washington,

believing that their cause is a righteous one, and trusting in God for his aid and protection, would urge you on, by every call of honor or duty, by every tender tie, by your duty

to God and to your country, by your love for your mothers, wives, and children, to protect our homes and our rights. We do not say, "Protect our flag, let it not be disgraced":

we have no fear for that; in giving it to you, we know that it will be preserved with honor, and we look forward with pleasure to (we hope) the not too far distant day, when

you will return to us, and we only claim the privilege of wreathing it with laurels which we know you will win for it.

And now in bidding you farewell, we would pray that The Lord of Hosts be “round about you as a wall of fire, and shield your heads in the day of battle.” In behalf of the ladies of Washington: Mrs. T.H.B. Myers, Miss Annie C. Hoyt, Miss M.M. Fowle. This particular flag was made from the satin wedding gown of Mrs. Myers.”

Please follow the link below to our webpage.

http://www.ncwbts150.com/RegimentalFlagsFromtheLadiesHands.php