CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY: FLAG OF WHITFIELD'S LEGION.

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Submitted by Doris Peirce - ginlu@charter.net
24 February 2002 
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TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson 
FLAG OF WHITFIELD'S LEGION

I was glad to see in the February Veteran a letter from Lieut. 
B., of the 3rd Texas, showing the part Jackson's Division, and 
more especially Ross' Brigade, took in defeating the Federal 
raids to the rear of Johnston's army.  I have often wondered 
why so little has been written of Jackson's Division.  This 
division was on the left flank of Johnston's army all the time, 
while Wheeler's, with at least three times as great a force, was 
on the right.  Our division was composed of Armstrong's 
Mississippians and Ross' Texans.  Occasionally we had French's 
Brigade, but I never thought they belonged to our division.

I remember very distinctly all about the capture of McCook's 
command near Newnan, Ga., and the part my regiment, Whitfield's 
Legion, took in it.  I was color bearer of the legion, and as we 
passed through Newnan after McCook, although our horses had nearly 
given out, we went through town in a gallop.  About three o'clock 
our regiment took an old road through very thick woods and ran 
right into the enemy dismounted.  Col. Whitfield gave the command: 
"Dismount! Left front into line."  The horses were ordered to the 
rear, and at them we went.  They were easily driven back.  
Discovering that only four companies of the Legion were up in line, 
Col. Whitfield told me to run back and tell Maj. Norsworthy to bring 
up the rest of the regiment on the left.  I ran down the old road to 
where we had dismounted, but could not find any command or horses.  
About then a regiment of Federals came charging through the woods, 
evidently trying to cut their way out.  I fell down behind a big log 
with the flag under me, and as soon as they passed got up and ran 
back to where I had left Col. Whitfield.   He was gone, and as 
shooting was going on all around me I didn't know which way to go.  
I was slipping along through the thick woods, when I spied a Federal 
soldier, and, getting the drop on him, made him throw down his gun 
and pistol, dismount, and walk off.  I got on his horse, and taking 
his accouterment, left him to find his way out if he could.  I went 
first one way and then antoher until I came to a field where I saw 
a command in line of battle.  I soon found out they were confederates 
and the Legion was among them.  The boys were delighted to see the 
flag (they did not express any joy over me), as the Legion had never 
lost its flag, and they thought it was gone.

Nearly all the Federals had surrendered by this time, and it was 
nearly dark.  Lieut. B. is right about the number of men Ross 
captured here.  I got four six shooters besides the one I got from 
my friend in the woods.  I picked them up where it seemed the 
Federals had thrown them away when captured.  The horse I rode the 
balance of the war.

Well, I have the old Legion's flag yet.  When the war ended and we 
were paroled at Canton, Miss., I took it of of the staff, wrapped 
it around my body under my clothes, and brought it home.

I do wish more of Ross' old brigade would write about its deeds.  
It was composed of the 3d, 6th and 9th Texas Regiments and 
Whitfield's Legion.  The latter was designated as Legion from the 
fact that it had fourteen companies at the time it was organized.  
No brigade in the army did more fighting or harder work protecting 
Johnston's army than it did, yet very little is written about it.
I.E.KELLIE.