The Tennessee in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Co K, 23 Tenn Infantry
In Response To: Re: Co K, 23 Tenn Infantry ()

Nancy,

Here's some information on flag presentations which I've found, this from Mary Devin, then 15 years old in 1861. Post war, she would marry attorney Summerfield Key, adjutant of the 43rd Tenn. :

The “most exciting thing” for a young Chattanooga girl was to be selected to make a presentation speech when the citizens gave flags to the companies of soldiers that went out from the town. After the “Hamilton Grays” (Capt. Powell, Co. A, 19th Tenn.) organized, a ceremony took place at a hotel on Market Steet. Miss Irene Sims, a sister of Dr. P. D. Sims, made the presentation speech. Summerfield Key accepted the flag for the Grays. Mrs. J. J. Bryan and other Chattanooga ladies had made these flags.

Mary Devin Key later recalled that in June; “It was a grand occasion when the young ladies presented the gallant soldiers of the Nineteenth regiment a flag made with their own hands. Miss Irene Sims made the presentation on the balcony of the Central hotel at Sixth and Market streets.” Her future husband, Summerfield A. Key, then a 28 year old Private in the regiment, made the speech accepting the flag.

She subsequently described life then in Chattanooga thusly, “Living near the railroad . . . [she] watched the trains as they loaded with soldiers even on their roofs. Once a soldier threw her from the roof-top of a box-car a big red apple tied to a shingle, on which was written ‘Though I go to death and danger, please remember the Texas ranger.’”

She also noted; “When the Confederate forces began to come into Chattanooga the citizens made great demonstrations and did a great deal of entertaining for them.”

Best wishes,

George Martin
Sparks, NV

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Co G, 33 Tenn Infantry
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Re: Co K, 23 Tenn Infantry
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some info re 33rd Tenn. Inf....fyi