According to tradition, this flag was presented to the regiment (Col. James Cantey accepting) at Ft. Mitchell in the summer
of 1861, by Miss Mary Chambers of Russell County. While the regiment probably did receive a flag at that time, this flag could
not have been issued any earlier than November 1861.1
This flag was among those manufactured by three sewing circles in Richmond, Virginia at the request of Confederate Quartermaster
Colin Selph. According to former Colonel A. A. Lowther, 15th Alabama Infantry, this flag was carried by the regiment during
Stonewall Jackson's Valley campaign and fought under at the battles of Winchester, Cross Keys and Port Republic of that campaign.
It was again fought under at Cold Harbor, in the campaign against McClellan below Richmond and at Cedar Run. When the regiment
was issued a new flag, Lowther retained possession of this flag. The flag was presented to the Alabama Department of Archives
and History by Lowther's daughter Miss Virginia Lowther of Macon, Georgia. It was received on March 18, 1927.
Sources:
Biggs, Greg. "Ragged Rags of Rebellion.
The Flags of the Confederacy," an unpublished manuscript, Curator's Files, Alabama Department of Archives and History.
Curator's Object Files, Civil War Flags, Alabama Department of Archives and History.
Woodhead, Henry, editor. Echoes of Glory, Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy.
Time Life Books, Alexandria, Virginia, 1991.
1 Flags of this pattern were issued to regiments in Virginia beginning in November and continuing into December,
1861. This flag is the second type of two designs which were issued at that time.
