Pvt. Harry Shaw,
Co. B 11th Kentucky Cavalry, CSA
13-Star "Stars and Bars"
First to Raise the "Stars and Bars" over the Kentucky State Capitol
During the "War Between the States".
First to Raise the "Stars and Stripes" over the Old Kentucky State
Capitol during World War I
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An old newspaper clipping from June 30, 1938 gives the following account:
Shaw Placed Flag On Pole
"War Between the States Veteran Lifted Stars, Stripes Over Capitol"
"Harry Shaw, an old Confederate soldier in Frankfort, who died several
years ago, probably was the only old veteran in Central Kentucky who, like
Col. "Dick" Redd, up until his recent death, always was surrounded by children
who clamored for his "war stories" and invariably called for the "rebel
yell" at the finish."
"Harry was custodian of the Old Capitol at Frankfort in the days before
the Kentucky Historical Society opened and installed their museum in the
building; and after showing visitors through the century-old capitol, he
gathered the party around him on the front steps and sang, "Morgan's Raiders",
and "The Girl I Left Behind Me", winding up with the "rebel yell" and with
distributing copies of the songs used by Morgan's men."
"Upon the entrance of the United States into the World War, the Old Capitol
was taken over by the federal government as a sub-station for the manufacture
of army shirts. On the day the shirt depot opened, a ceremony was
held in connection with the raising of the American flag on a large pole
by the federal authorities."
"While the arrangements for the ceremony were being made, it developed
that Harry Shaw, while with Morgan's men, had participated in the capture
of Frankfort and that he accompanied a Captain from Louisiana who climbed
on top of the Old Capitol, lowered the "Stars and Stripes" and raised the
"Stars and Bars".
"Harry came to the local committee in charge of the ceremony, told them
of the Frankfort raid, and the deed of the Louisiana Captain and himself,
and asked the privilege of "restoring Old Glory", now that the United States
had declared war on Germany. The privilege was granted and Harry,
after bowing his bared head and with tears in his eyes, hoisted the flag
to the top of the pole and then gave the "rebel yell" for Uncle Sam."
Background sound, "The Girl I Left Behind Me"
is from MIDI file produced by Barry
Taylor.
"13 Star Stars and Bars" courtesy of Riad
Dagher.
Newspaper article thanks to Comander Sam Flora.