History of the 43d Tenn
| GEORGE H MARTIN ggrandson of Pvt. James Madison Martin, Co. K is the chief Historian for the 43d Tenn. He has compiled this regimental history that is an incredible tribute to our ancestors. |
| Flag believed to have been presented by Miss. Mary Robinson to the men of Company B, October 30, 1861 at Sulphur Springs, Tenn., alongside the banks of the Piney River. Presently in the Lieutenant Governor's collection of Confederate Flags at Atlanta, Ga Variant of the Confederate First National Flag, The "Stars and Bars" |
| Gallant Captain and Brave Piney Boys: The cause that calls you to arms is a just and righteous one. Already our sunny South [has] been invaded by an unprincipled foe. Already has Southern soil been stained by the blood of the brave and noble sons of the South, who feared not to die in their Country's defense. You, imitating their example, have nobly enlisted at your Country's call. True, you are not the first upon the tented field, yet we expect you not to shrink or falter in the hour of battle. I take pleasure, therefore, Capt.Cawood, to present to the 4th Company of Rhea County Volunteers, through you, this banner.-- Although it is not as fine and grand as some, I trust 'tis enough that it is the true flag of the South; the Striking Colors --red, white, and blue-- the proud emblems of love, purity and fidelity-- Keep it unstained by any act of cowardice-- may you ever by able, when necessary, to bear it to battle with a strong heart and steady mein amid the roar of cannon and rattle of musketry. Cling to it, and if need be, die by it. The banner was received by Dr. Joseph L. Abernathy, then Private, who in reply, closed: Fellow soldiers! This is our flag! We will rally around it in the story of battle; we will rally around it in the hour of victory, or the hour of defeat. It shall be a pillow of cloud by day and a pillow of fire by night, and before we ingoriously surrender it let us pour out our blood as a libation upon the alter of our Country. If it shoud ungloriously trail in the dust, I pray a just God will not permit one to return to tell its sad fate. I now pass this beautiful ensign to the proper officer, accompanied by the words of Lord Nelson, before the fall of Trafalgar: "It is expected every man to do his duty." |
| Serving Under the "Star Circled Banner" |
| Forty-third Regiment Tennessee Volunteers (Gillespie's Infantry) Confederate States Army also known as 5th East Tennessee Volunteer Regiment and later as, 43d Tennessee Regiment Cavalry |
We are a band of brothers and native to the soil Fighting for the property we gained by honest toil And when our rights were threatened the cry was near & far Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star Hurrah, hurrah for Southern rights Hurrah, hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star |
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