Paducah in McCracken County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Confederate Flag of Welcome
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Rescue of Flag
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 25, 2020
1. Confederate Flag of Welcome / Rescue of Flag Marker
Confederate Flag of Welcome. With the Confederate occupation of Hickman and Columbus in the late summer of 1861, Paducahans were thrilled and flew a large Confederate flag to welcome Southern Army thought on way. As Gen. Grant's Union forces, backed by gunboats, moved to occupy Paducah on Sept. 6, it was feared flag would be seized. See over.
Rescue of Flag. Mrs. Emily Jarrett, whose husband and sons were fighting for the CSA, rushed to save the banner. Under Union gunboat fire, she had a small slave boy climb the pole, retrieve the flag, and drop it to her. Union troops searched her home but failed to find flag's hiding place. Some thirty years later, the faded cloth was laid to rest with its loyal rescuer. Over.
Erected 1983 by Kentucky Historical Society; Kentucky Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 1175.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Women. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society, and the Vexillology series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is September 6, 1861.
Location. 37° 4.044′ N, 88° 35.128′ W. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Jackson Purchase. It is also in the American Midwest, in the South, in the Upper South, and in the Ohio River Valley. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Paducah Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky (approx. 0.8 miles away); Col. Ed Murray's Home (approx. one mile away); Burks Chapel A.M.E. Church (approx. one mile away); The Hotel Metropolitan (approx. 1.1 miles away); Paducah, Kentucky / McCracken County (approx. 1.1 miles away); 8th of August (approx. 1.2 miles away); Global War on Terrorism Memorial
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 25, 2020
2. Confederate Flag of Welcome / Rescue of Flag Marker
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 25, 2020
3. Confederate Flag of Welcome / Rescue of Flag Marker
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 25, 2020
4. Additional nearby marker
Stone in sidewalk in front of house reads: "Her lived Emily Jarrett, daring matron who rescued the Confederate flag at which Union gunboats were firing. [1861]"
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 25, 2020
5. Confederate Flag of Welcome / Rescue of Flag Marker
Additional marker in front of house.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,728 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 26, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
