Douglas R. Anderson
The Yellow-Hammer Flag
Mon May 21 00:02:59 2001


The following article is quoted from the CONFEDERATE VETERAN magazine, Vol. VIII, page 240a, June 1899.

"The Yellow-Hammer Flag. - Comrade Ben Patteson, of Huntsville, Ala., wishes to learn something of this flag. He writes: 'A portrait painter killed a yellow-hammer bird and painted us a life-size protrait of the bird in oil colors on a satin flag with beautiful gold fringe around it, and presented it to our company, which was Company E, Thirty-Fifth Alabama Infantry, Buford's Old Brigade. On the evening after the battle of Baker's Creek, or Champion Hill, our division (Loring's) did not follow the army into Vicksburg, but made its way through the Yankee lines around by Crystal Springs and back to Johnston at Jackson, Miss. It was then we separated with our beautiful flag, as it was sent back to Vicksburg with our wagon train. It was in a valise with other papers and clothing of our captain, John S. Dickson. We used the flag only as a marker's flag for company or regimental drill, so with the fall of Vicksburg up or down went the flag, and if I could get a trace of it I would certainly do my utmost to recover it."

So, there you have it. Another story for the Yellow-Hammer debate.

Benjamin Patteson was listed as a Sergeant of Company "E" at Grenada, Mississippi on January 7, 1863. The battle of Baker's Creek or Champion's Hill was fought on May 16, 1863. Benjamin Patteson was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, Company "B", on or about September 1, 1863. He surrendered in Huntsville, Alabama in 1865. Source: Regimental History of the 35th Alabama Infantry, 1862 - 1865; Leroy F. Banning; Heritage Books, Inc., Bowie, MD 20716; Page 119. Note: Banning lists Patteson as Patterson.

Another interesting story regarding Captain John S. Dickson, commanding the company, states that Dickson was on the street near the Madison County Courthouse when he rather spontaneously began forming a company of volunteers. He spent an hour or so parading around the square prodding the young men of Huntsville to join with him and whip the Yankees! He supposedly raised a company of a hundred or so men on the spot. He took his company to the LaGrange Military Academy to join other volunteers. The regiment formed at LaGrange was later designated the 35th Alabama Infantry at Corinth, Mississippi.

I just thought everyone would like a little more fodder to chew on regarding the Yellow-Hammers!

Doug Anderson