Furman University Riflemen's Flag (sometimes referred to as Furman Confederate Infantry Regiment Flag, though the flag never saw battle)
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Furman University Riflemen
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Furman University Riflemen's Flag (sometimes referred to as Furman Confederate Infantry Regiment Flag, though the flag never saw battle)
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In 1856, Furman students petitioned for and faculty approved the formation of a military company among students of the university. Membership was limited to 65 members, and the group was supervised by professor John F. Lanneau. They marched in parades performed military training exercises. The flag was made in approximately 1860, and tradition has it that the materials for the flag was “taken from the dress of some fair ‘Girl of the 60’s’ who was the sweetheart of the student body of that chivalrous day.” Quote found in Greenville News, "Memory." The use of the word “chivalrous” sixty years after the war is indicative of the continued glorification of Civil War and the Confederacy. When the Civil War began, Greenville’s militia, the Butler Guards, left for war with 17 Furman alums and 10 Furman students. On April 18, 1861, Prof. Lanneau took a letter to Governor Pickens offering Furman Riflemen for military service with the consent of the Furman faculty. However, Governor Pickens refused to muster the University Riflemen into service at that time and said he would call on them if they were needed. Professor Lanneau also went to General Beauregard, who was commanding the Confederate forces, and volunteered the University Riflemen, but Beauregard replied that he had “no authority to employ troops not received into South Carolina service by the Governor.” The flag was never involved in battle, and the Riflemen were never called to war as a unit, though many students and faculty participated in the war, including 15 students (some from the disbanded Riflemen) who were in Brooks Troop, led by Professor (Captain) Lanneau.
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It is a two-sided royal blue silk flag, with gold fringe hand-painted images on both sides. Furman History and Traditions. One side has a picture of a soldier with a rifle leaning against his shoulder. On the other side is an image of a Palmetto tree with the blue ridge mountains in the background and with a drum, a cannon and other items of battle under the tree.
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Under the picture of the soldier is the Latin inscription “"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori," which means: “It is sweet and sacred to die for one’s country.” Greenville News, Flag. On the side with the Palmetto tree is the Latin inscription "Animis Opibusque Parati" meaning "prepared in mind and resources." Furman History and Traditions.
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The flag was made by Lenora I. Brooks for the Furman University Riflemen.
A replica was made of the flag in the late 20th or early 21st century. The replica is located in the University's special collections.
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1860
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Robert Norman Daniel, Furman University: A History (Greenville, SC: Hiott Press,1951), 78-79.
Description of formation of Riflemen and actions taken by the university at the start of the war.
Albert N. Sanders. “Furman University and the War for Southern Independence.” Address Delivered at Commemoration Convocation, McAlister Auditorium, April 20, 1961. (available in Furman archives, Furmaniana reference files)
Detailed history of the formation of the Riflemen, Professor Lanneau's role in leading them and efforts to have the Riflemen approved as a unit during the Civil War.
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