GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE CONVEYING THE FLAG OF THE FIFTEENTH KENTUCKY TO THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE, LOUISVILLE JOURNAL, MARCH 6, 1863
GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE
The General Assembly of Kentucky, in joint session, on Monday March 3d, received from the Governor the following message, accompanies by the flags of the 15th, 17th, 6th, 8th, 9th, and 21st regiments of Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. The session was one of the most impressive we ever before witnessed. While the message was being read there were but few dry eyes in that vast assemblage:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
FRANKFORT, February 28, 1863
Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives:
A number of mementoes of Kentucky valor and Kentucky patriotism, as those characteristic virtues have been illustrated in the progress of the war for the suppression of the existing rebellion, have been placed in my hands, which it is the purpose of this communication to place in yours, for such disposition as your judgment may suggest. They are the storm-tossed and leaden-tattered flags of several of our regiments now in the field, in defence of the Government of our fathers, and of the rights and honor of the State. While they justly demand at our hands that careful consideration and protection which all such mementoes of the heroism, gallantry, and patriotic devotion of our citizen soldiers deserve, they are still more to be prized and cherished as heirlooms for those who are to come after us; whose mournful history and mute eloquence will in after times cause to be properly appreciated the heroic virtues and manly patriotism of those of our fellow-citizens who perilled all that was dear to them in this wicked, unnatural, and unjust war for the destruction of a government whose equal, in all the objects for which government is instituted among men, is not to be found in the records of the past or upon the pages of the present of the world's history.
One of these banners was that under which the 15th regiment of Kentucky volunteers (and, by the way, it is a source of pride and gratulation to every Kentuckian that we have never had occasion to resort to any other system than that of volunteering to fill up our quotas for this war -- Kentucky having no such word as drafting where the defence of the Government of Washington and his compeers of the Revolution is concerned) was rallied in the memorable battle of Chaplin Hills. Of all those who figured upon that eventful field of blood none suffered more severely than the gallant 15th. All her field officers were pierced by the bullets of the enemy; two of them, the gifted and accomplished Jouett, and the brave and daring Campbell, offering up their lives on the field; and the third, its distinguished, gallant, and worthy leader, Colonel Pope, a few days after; while its ranks were literally swept as with the besom of destruction. And of all the cherished sons of Kentucky who have met death in this cruel and unnatural war, in the faithful discharge of duty, there are none who are more sincerely lamented than that noble trio of patriot soldiers, and to none does the Commonwealth owe more grateful and enduring tribute of sorrow and affection. History will do justice to their gallant deeds and heroic daring, and the proud inscription that marks the spot of their sepulchre will record the fact that they died at the post of duty and were among "the bravest of the brave."
In the midst of this bloody drama where death was holding his carnival and strong men were falling everywhere, the color-bearer of this regiment fell. Upon his fall the flag was seized by a youthful Captain, who had not yet attained to the years of majority. Under its inspiring folds the remnant of the decimated regiment was rallied; and, in a hand to hand rencontre, after it had been wrested from his grasp by overpowering numerical strength, it was recaptured and securely held until the end of the dreadful conflict. So marked was the heroism of that young officer, and so dauntless his courage in defence of that flag, that his noble Colonel complimented him on the field with the present of the colors he had so nobly defended. This boy Captain, after the fortunes of the day had orphanized his regiment, was made its Colonel, and was the youngest regimental commander in the service. I take especial pride in saying that this distinction was conferred upon him by me, and that it was done not only without solicitation on his part, but even without his knowledge.
In the progress of events his regiment was called to take part in the recent bloody battle of Stone River, near Murfreesboro, where it again covered itself with imperishable laurels. In that battle, however, the boy-Colonel fell, covered with wounds, and now fills a soldier's grave, adding another to the long list of honored dead who have offered up their lives for the country in the present war, whose untimely fate Kentucky is called to mourn. He fell, gallantly leading his men to the victory which crowned our arms on that eventful day, but reposing in the arms of death before he was permitted to participate in the triumphant paens of the victors.
Before going into his last battle, he caused the old and tattered flag of the regiment, which had been presented to him as the reward of his personal prowess, to be conveyed to me, accompanied by this brief but characteristic note:
HEADQUARTERS 15TH REG. KY. VOL. INF.
CAMP ANDY JOHNSON, Dec. 28, 1862
HON. JAMES F. ROBINSON, Governor of Kentucky:
Dear Sir: I desire to present, through you, to the State of Kentucky the old flag of this regiment, which is so dear to all of us on account of its association with the bloody battlefield of Chaplin Hills.
We wish it preserved among the archives of the States, where in future years we may visit it; the sight of which will recall the recollection that Kentucky's sons are true to the reputation of the children of the "dark and bloody ground."
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES B. FORMAN
Col. Commanding, 15th Reg. Ky. Vol. Infantry
Louisville Journal, March 6, 1863