"God Directs" 39th North Carolina Car Tag/Plate

The mountains of North Carolina have long been called the “Highlands”, not merely because of their topography, but also because of the large number of Highland Scots who found their way to the region after leaving Scotland. Rather than displacing the native Cherokee, these incoming Scots shared the mountains with the Indians, frequently intermarrying and combining cultures. At the outbreak of the war, these two groups became allies for the Southern Cause, which the 39th North Carolina flag illustrates.

The Bowie Knife, brandished by a strong arm coming from a red and white banded base illustrates the combined heritage of the Highland Grays. This force of Cherokee and Scottish Southerns would fight with an unshakeable bravery. The Latin phrase on the flag, “DIRIGAT DEUS” is literally translated as "God directs." Scholars suggest that in cultural context this may have been understood as a charge to wreak destruction on the enemy until victory was obtained.

The company would be formed in Buncombe Country and enlisted in Asheville on October 28, 1861. It would be combined into the 39^th North Carolina Infantry on May 19^th, 1862. The 39^th would fight in many of the Western engagements, including Murfreesboro, Jackson, Chickamauga, Atlanta Campaign, Franklin, Nashville, and finally Fort Blakeley – where the regiment was essentially captured and destroyed.