The flags captured at Rappahannock Station.
--The Confederate flags captured at the fight at Rappahannock Station, on the 7th inst., were formally presented to Gen. Meade, on the 11th. A correspondent of the New York Herald gives this account of the ceremony:‘ Major Gen. John Sedgwick, commanding the right wing of the army; Gen. Wright, commanding the Sixth army corps; Gen. Russell, commanding Wright's division, and Col. Upton, commanding Russell's brigade, with their respective Staffs, came on the ground in front of army headquarters, and escorted by Russell's brigade. The latter was drawn up in line, when the band played some lively music, and Gen. Meade appeared before the gallant boys of the Fifth Wisconsin, Fifth and Sixth Maine, and the One Hundred and Twenty-first New York.
’ Col. Upton then presented to General Meade the eight battle-flags taken by his brigade, saying that two or more of them were from the regiments of Stonewall Jackson's old brigade, and adding that he was satisfied that his soldiers could always be depended upon for the performance of similar services. Gen. Meade replied as follows:
‘ "I receive with great satisfaction the battle flags, evidences of the good conduct and gallantry you displayed on the 7th inst., in the assault upon the enemy's position at Rappahannock Station, entrenched with redoubts and rifle pits, and defended by artillery and infantry. Carried, as it was, at the point of the bayonet, it was a work which could only be executed by the best of soldiers.--And the result, of which you may justly be proud, gives me great confidence that in future operations. I can implicitly rely on the men under my command doing, when called on, all that men can do. And although it is my desire to place you in such positions as to avoid, if possible, recurring to such severe tests, yet there are occasions, such as the recent one, when it is the only and best course to pursue; and to feel, as I do now, that I command men able and willing to meet and overcome such obstacles, is a source of great satisfaction. I shall transmit these flags to the War Department. I have already reported your good conduct, and received and transmitted to your commanders the approval of the President. I shall prepare, as soon as I receive the requisite information, a general order, in which it is my desire to do justice to all the troops who have distinguished themselves, and it is my purpose, by every means in my power, to have those soldiers rewarded who have merited such distinction. In the name of the army and the country I thank you for the services you have rendered, particularly for the example you have set, which I doubt not on future occasions will be followed and emulated."
’ The flags were all alike — stars on a blue cross and red ground. The 8th Louisiana flag, inscribed with the words, "Winchester," "Manassas," &c., was captured by Sergeant Roberts, of the 6th Maine; a second by Capt. Shackleford, of company A, 5th Maine; a third by Lieut A. S. Lyon, of company K, 5th Maine; a fourth by private Philip Smith of the 121st New York; a fifth by private Silas Waterman, of the 121st New York; a sixth by James H. Littlefield, of company I, 5th Maine, inscribed with the names of "Cedar Run," and "Manassas" "Second Harper's Ferry," "Sharpsburg," "Winchester," "Chancellorsville," "Fredericksburg," "Gettysburg;" the seventh by Corporal E. P. Blondil, of company D, 5th Maine, inscribed "Manassas," "Seven Pines, " "Gaines's Farm," "Malvern Hill," "Ethain's Landing."--The eighth was a bare pole, the color-bearer having torn up the flag before it was taken.
The pieces were picked up, however, and are being sewed together for future presentation.
As a feat of arms there is no question but the action of the 7th inst. was the best and cleanest operation of the war. We may well be proud of it.
