1ST NATIONAL CONFEDERATE FLAG OF GENERAL GUSTAVUS SMITH 118” x 52”.

1ST NATIONAL CONFEDERATE FLAG OF GENERAL GUSTAVUS SMITH 118” x 52”. Rarely are offered Confederate flags with such good provenance and history as this one. Five United Confederate veteran letters are associated with this flag which read as follows: “Kentucky Division, United Confederate Veterans John C. Breckinridge Camp, 100, United Conf. Veterans “Leafland” near Lexington Ky. Thirteenth of Oct. 1896 My Dear Col Morriss- It was my misfortune to be absent from from(sic) “Leafland” for a few days when your letter of Oct 9th reached there. It has only this minute been read by me & I beg of you to pardon my delay. To be in Richmond again as the daughter of a true Confederate soldier would be indeed a great pleasure but sir -nothing- & I can say it truly- could add more to my happiness than to be present on Thursday next & tenderly pass over to the Ladies of the Memorial Museum of Richmond the flag of Gen. Smith around which so many sad & loving memories. Yes- to place it with the loving hands in the very room where hangs the flag of the old Orphan Brigade- & other trophies of Ky’s proud sons. You are right- As time rolled on- Ky gave her best- her truest- her noblest & so our treasures one by one all by the fattlefield were won & high around these stood Gustavus W. Smith. I can not be with you in person, but my heart goes forth in gratitude & tears come unbidden to my eyesas I thank you for the honor confered on Ky. “They bid us tell the story of our nation’s golden past and sing her hymns of Conquests and chant her dirge at least but when thr wounds are fresh and quivering.Is there any place for art? Can we present the stories graven on the tablets of the heart? In no truer, no more tender hands could you have placed this sacred trust than in the hands of the Grand Confederate Women of Richmond. Ou cause, our veterans, our relicts shall ever live in my heart- Our poet priest of the SOuth thus speaks to us in the conquered banner- “Touch it not -unfold it never- Let it drop- there unfurled forever- for its peoples hopes are dead.” We of the dear Southland would say unfurl those banners- not in war but in peace. Carry them on high- show to the world they are dear to us yet – build a Memorial faster- more magnificent than any on our Globe. Say to our people although all was once dark & drear- bright and joyous days have come- & we love “their curse” with a better love, & a fonder devotion then ever- Allow me again to thank you for your great kindness & on next Thursday may the bright & beautiful sun shine forth in all its glory- just kiss with its warmth & brightness. The stains of time upon the silken folds of the flag that Ky once bore so proudly. Most Cordially Yours Julia Hughes Spurr Sponsor Ky. Division UCV 1896 Pine Grove, Ky” This flag is made of cotton with 11 sewn through stars. Based on the dimensional ratio, construction and materials, this flag was most likely early war. Howard Madaus, in his notes, states he felt this flag was probably Gen. Smith’s headquarter flag in VA in 1861. Gen. Smith probably would have had this flag in his possession on his last appointment near Savanna, GA 1864 and 1865. Gen. GUSTAVUS SMITH was born in KY and graduated from West Point prior to the Mexican War where he saw service and was also an instructor at West Point. Smith was commissioned Maj. Gen. in the Confederate Army in Sept, 1861. He commanded a brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia during the Peninsula Campaign. He commanded the entire army for a portion of the battle of Seven Pines after Gen. Joseph E. Johnston was wounded. We feel this flag would have accompanied Gen. Smith during this campaign. Gen. Smith served as Secretary of War for the Confederacy during Nov. of 1862. He resigned early in 1863, but was appointed Maj. Gen. of the Georgia Militia, to organize Georgia State forces and lead troops during the Atlanta Campaign. This is a fabulous flag with vibrant colors, great history and provenance that will display beautifully. Confederate cotton flags are scarce and generally are much better preserved than their silk or wool counterparts; cotton flags such as this are much easier to conserve and frame. CONDITION: Very good overall, with good strong colors and only scattered tears, loose stitches and holes. As mentioned in description, flag is missing its hoist. Documents associated are good overall. 4-32587 JS11 (35,000-50,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1446	$22,425.00	1ST NATIONAL CONFEDERATE FLAG OF GENERAL GUSTAVUS SMITH 118” x 52”. Rarely are offered Confederate flags with such good provenance and history as this one. Five United Confederate veteran letters are associated with this flag which read as follows: “Kentucky Division, United Confederate Veterans John C. Breckinridge Camp, 100, United Conf. Veterans “Leafland” near Lexington Ky. Thirteenth of Oct. 1896 My Dear Col Morriss- It was my misfortune to be absent from from(sic) “Leafland” for a few days when your letter of Oct 9th reached there. It has only this minute been read by me & I beg of you to pardon my delay. To be in Richmond again as the daughter of a true Confederate soldier would be indeed a great pleasure but sir -nothing- & I can say it truly- could add more to my happiness than to be present on Thursday next & tenderly pass over to the Ladies of the Memorial Museum of Richmond the flag of Gen. Smith around which so many sad & loving memories. Yes- to place it with the loving hands in the very room where hangs the flag of the old Orphan Brigade- & other trophies of Ky’s proud sons. You are right- As time rolled on- Ky gave her best- her truest- her noblest & so our treasures one by one all by the fattlefield were won & high around these stood Gustavus W. Smith. I can not be with you in person, but my heart goes forth in gratitude & tears come unbidden to my eyesas I thank you for the honor confered on Ky. “They bid us tell the story of our nation’s golden past and sing her hymns of Conquests and chant her dirge at least but when thr wounds are fresh and quivering.Is there any place for art? Can we present the stories graven on the tablets of the heart? In no truer, no more tender hands could you have placed this sacred trust than in the hands of the Grand Confederate Women of Richmond. Ou cause, our veterans, our relicts shall ever live in my heart- Our poet priest of the SOuth thus speaks to us in the conquered banner- “Touch it not -unfold it never- Let it drop- there unfurled forever- for its peoples hopes are dead.” We of the dear Southland would say unfurl those banners- not in war but in peace. Carry them on high- show to the world they are dear to us yet – build a Memorial faster- more magnificent than any on our Globe. Say to our people although all was once dark & drear- bright and joyous days have come- & we love “their curse” with a better love, & a fonder devotion then ever- Allow me again to thank you for your great kindness & on next Thursday may the bright & beautiful sun shine forth in all its glory- just kiss with its warmth & brightness. The stains of time upon the silken folds of the flag that Ky once bore so proudly. Most Cordially Yours Julia Hughes Spurr Sponsor Ky. Division UCV 1896 Pine Grove, Ky” This flag is made of cotton with 11 sewn through stars. Based on the dimensional ratio, construction and materials, this flag was most likely early war. Howard Madaus, in his notes, states he felt this flag was probably Gen. Smith’s headquarter flag in VA in 1861. Gen. Smith probably would have had this flag in his possession on his last appointment near Savanna, GA 1864 and 1865. Gen. GUSTAVUS SMITH was born in KY and graduated from West Point prior to the Mexican War where he saw service and was also an instructor at West Point. Smith was commissioned Maj. Gen. in the Confederate Army in Sept, 1861. He commanded a brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia during the Peninsula Campaign. He commanded the entire army for a portion of the battle of Seven Pines after Gen. Joseph E. Johnston was wounded. We feel this flag would have accompanied Gen. Smith during this campaign. Gen. Smith served as Secretary of War for the Confederacy during Nov. of 1862. He resigned early in 1863, but was appointed Maj. Gen. of the Georgia Militia, to organize Georgia State forces and lead troops during the Atlanta Campaign. This is a fabulous flag with vibrant colors, great history and provenance that will display beautifully. Confederate cotton flags are scarce and generally are much better preserved than their silk or wool counterparts; cotton flags such as this are much easier to conserve and frame. CONDITION: Very good overall, with good strong colors and only scattered tears, loose stitches and holes. As mentioned in description, flag is missing its hoist. Documents associated are good overall. 4-32587 JS11 (35,000-50,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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