Role Writer | Name William Thompson Occupation Writer, editor | |
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Full Name William Tappan Thompson Nationality American (1812–1861)Confederate (1861–1865) Known for Helping to design the second Confederate national flag Books Major Jones's courtship: detailed, with other scenes, incidents, and adventures, in a ser. of letters, by himself Parents David Thompson, Catherine Kerney Thompson | ||
William Tappan Thompson (August 31, 1812 – March 24, 1882) was an American writer who co-founded the Savannah Morning News in the 1850s, known then as the Daily Morning News. One of his most notable works was Major Jones's Courtship, an epistolary novel. Thompson's best-known fictional character was Major Joseph Jones.
Contents
Originally from Ohio, Thompson moved to Savannah, Georgia, where he co-founded the Daily Morning News and became an editor.
Early life and education
Thompson was born on August 31, 1812, in Ravenna, Ohio.
Career
Upon moving to Savannah, Georgia, in the 1850s, he co-founded the Savannah Morning News. Thompson left the paper in 1867 to travel in Europe. In 1868, he returned, and the paper was renamed Savannah Daily Morning News for one edition, then was changed to the current name the following day.
Thompson supported the Confederacy during the American Civil War. In 1863, as the editor of the Morning News he discussed a variant of a design that would ultimately become, by no influence from himself, the Confederacy's second national flag, which would become known as the "Stainless Banner" or the "Jackson Flag" (for its first use as the flag that draped the coffin of Confederate Lt. General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.)
In a series of editorials, Thompson wrote why he felt the design should be chosen to represent the Confederacy:
As a people, we are fighting to maintain the Heaven-ordained supremacy of the white man over the inferior or colored race; a white flag would thus be emblematical of our cause.… Such a flag…would soon take rank among the proudest ensigns of the nations, and be hailed by the civilized world as THE WHITE MAN'S FLAG [sic].
In May 1863, a few days after a design similar to his was chosen by the Confederate Congress, Thompson again stated his opinion regarding the decision:
As a national emblem, it is significant of our higher cause, the cause of a superior race, and a higher civilization contending against ignorance, infidelity, and barbarism. Another merit in the new flag is, that it bears no resemblance to the now infamous banner of the Yankee vandals.
Although he may have made some suggestions for a design, there is no evidence that Thompson was involved in the flag design process currently taking place in Richmond. There are no notes regarding his connection with the deliberations taking place nor is there any reference to his contributions having any bearing on the decision. However, the May 2nd, 1863 Richmond Whig Newspaper printed quotes from the Confederate Congressmen as to what the colors and design of the newly adopted National Confederate Flag represent.
As to the color, that should also have meaning. If we adopted blue, it would be said that our affairs looked blue. The white in the flag signified purity and truth - Confederate Congressman Alexander Boteler
Then we would have the Battle Flag of glorious memories, and a white field signifying purity, truth, and freedom. - Confederate Congressman Peter W. Gray
Both Boteler and Gray were members of the House of Representatives Flag and Seal Committee.
Late life and death
After the Civil War ended, Thompson, who was a fervent supporter of the Democrats, opposed the Republican Party's efforts for over taxation of the southern states. He died on March 24, 1882 in Savannah, Georgia.