April 15, 1863, Montgomery Weekly Advertiser
To His Excellency, John Gill Shorter,
Governor of the State of Alabama:
We, the undersigned, having been appointed a Committee by the officers of the 12th Alabama Regiment, to request that the old colors of the Regiment be placed among the archives of the State, herewith transmit you by the hands of Lieut. Macon, 5th Ala. Regiment, the torn and tattered battle flag of the Twelfth Alabama, the banner that has so long pointed us on to victory, under which we have marched and fought, and fought and marched, under which his last look straining towards it cross of stars, many a heroic Alabamian has freely sealed his devotion with his blood.
It carries with it our memories of the bloody, historic past, of the toilsome march, the lonely picket, the hasty bivouac, the skirmish, the battle, the victory–memories sweet, though saddened by the remembrance that to many gallant leaders and brave men it was not permitted to join in our triumphant shout.
How many have fallen under it, let our lists of killed and wounded attest: Seven Pines, Cold Harbor, Boonsboro, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, be ye our silent, faithful witnesses! Under it, when for the first time it was given to the battle breeze, fell our noble gallant Colonel, R. T. Jones, whose last command “Forward,” himself lived not to execute, of whom the officer and the gentleman, we, his State and his country may be justly proud.
Under it at Boonsboro fell, mortally wounded, Col. B. B. Gayle, who, though young in years, was old in gallantry and courage.
Under it at Sharpsburg, fell Capt. Exton Tucker, commanding the regiment, bravely urging forward his command, both by word and example.
Not willingly do we part with it. Every stain upon it is dear to us–every soil has its incident–every tatter is a glorious memento of the past. Associations cluster thick around. For more than twelve months it has been to us the symbol of our country’s wrongs, her liberties, her independence.
But into your hands, as the representative of the Commonwealth of Alabama, we cheerfully entrust it, satisfied that it will be guarded as it assuredly deserves to be, that future generations may gain new courage and resolution while gazing upon its battle-stained folds.
Col. S. B. Pickens, Chairman.
Capt. J. W. McNeely, Co. F.
Capt. H. W. Cox, Co. B.
Committee.
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Executive Department, }
Montgomery, Ala., April 9, 1863. }
Col. S. B. Pickens, Capts. McNeely, H. W. Cox and Nicholson, Committee 11th Ala. Vol. Regiment:
Gentlemen–I have received by the hands of Lieut. Macon the “tattered banner” of your Regiment, so often flung “victorious to the breeze,” the sight which prompts memories of noble deeds and of the “gallant dead.”
Nobly have the sons of Alabama illustrated her character and adorned her history upon every field of renown, and gallantly have they borne their part in the struggle for their country’s independence. But the scene of triumph is saddened by the memories of the slain, the notes of victory tempered by the wail of mourning. Your gift will ever speak of a Jones, a Gayle, a Tucker, gallant, gifted and true, mourned and lamented, yet honored and remembered.
Your flag shall have its place in the archives of the State, there by its memories of the noble deeds of the gallant 12th, and its heroic dead, to inspire to higher resolutions of virtue present and future generations of Alabamians.
With sentiments of high regard for you individually, and admiration for the deeds of your command,
I am respectfully,
Your ob’t serv’t,
Jno. Gill Shorter,
Governor of Alabama.