Memorable Flags, Remembering Fallen Under Them, Memorial Day

[JPK Huson 1863]

Who knew there was a Wigfall flag? I mean it was a flag of service. There's never a lighter side of that. Wigfall lends anything a second look.

These are all representative of so many who left a home on a day we'll never know about, and did not get back to it- all for the same reason. Our flags go out every year, for all of them.

 

[Legion Para]

Unknown to most Americans.

http://ubique-matt.blogspot.com/2011/12/national-colours-regimental-colour-4th.html


National & Regimental Colours, 4th American Regiment of Infantry, 1812

On a recent visit to the fine principality of Wales, we visited the Museum of the Welsh Soldier located within Cardiff Castle. The museum covers the development and history of the modern 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards and The Royal Welsh Regiment.

Sharing a joint interest in the period my brother called my attention to the following display.

Quote from information panel:
"National Colours and (above it) a fragment from the Regimental Colour of the 4th American Regiment of Infantry.

These are extremely rare. The Colours (flags) are the heart of an infantry regiment. The US Army has not lost many. These Colours were surrendered to our 41st Foot after the capture of Fort Detroit on 16 August 1812, during the War of 1812."

National Colour - Detail of Eagle

'The Forth Regiment' detail
Interestingly the US Army didn't use the famous 'Stars & Stripes' during this period.

You are not allowed to use flash photography in the museum and the lighting around the flags are deliberately keep subdued to protect the habit, hence the poor quality of the images (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!).

Due to the low lighting levels I couldn't tell if the Regimental flag was buff, white or yellow, the traditional colours used. Versions of this flag, suitable for 28mm figures, are available from Flags of War - 1812 US Regiment flags.

As far as I'm aware the only other US flags from this period still held in British hands are in the Shropshire Regimental Museum at Shrewbury Castle. These are the flags of the 68th , 85th and the 1st Harford Light Dragoons captured, oddly enough, by the British 85th Light Infantry.

 

[MRB1863]

To all the members of our armed forces both living and dead. THANK YOU!

Well said! My sentiments also.

 

[jackt62]

The flag raised on Iwo Jima

 

[1stMN]

The battle flag of the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment bearing the state motto "L'Étoile du Nord" or "Star of the North.

Best known for their heroics on day 2 of the battle of Gettysburg, the 1st Minnesota was also present at
First Bull Run, Ball's Bluff, Seven Pines, Savage's Station, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Second Fredericksburg, Bristoe Station, and the Mine Run Campaign.

While many know the story of the 1st Minnesota at Gettysburg, they were also a part of savage fighting in the battle of Antietam. As a part of the right flank of Brig. Gen. Willis A. Gorman's brigade, the 1st Minnesota sustained heavy casualties in Gen. Sedgwick's advance into the West Woods. Gorman later recalled the 1st Minnesota in his report:

"The First Minnesota Regiment fired with so much coolness and accuracy that they brought down three several times one of the enemy's flags, and finally cut the flag-staff in two."

 

[Andersonh1]

The flag of the 16th South Carolina Infantry, the "Greenville Boys". My fourth Great Grandfather Thomas Barton served with this unit, and thankfully he lived through the war, though anyone familiar with the battles below will tell you that many did not.

The South Carolina 16th Infantry Regiment, recruited in Greenville County, was organized and mustered into Confederate service in December, 1861. It moved to Charleston and for a time was stationed at Adams Run under General Hagood. During December, 1862, the unit was ordered to Wilmington, North Carolina and in May, 1863, to Jackson, Mississippi where it was assigned to General Gist's Brigade in the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. After sharing in the defense of Jackson, it was stationed at Rome, Georgia, during the Chickamauga Campaign. Later it joined the Army of Tennessee, fought in the Atlanta Campaign, and endured Hood's winter operations in Tennessee. The 16th ended the war in North Carolina. In December, 1863, it totaled 559 men and 452 arms, lost many in Tennessee, and surrendered on April 26, 1865.

 

[major bill]

Just returned from the Michigan history center Docent Guild picnic. We have recently adopted a flag (i.e.. donated to preserve it) We chose one of General Custer Cavalry Regiment, The 5th Michigan Cavalry. We were give a nice plaque and certificate. Here is part of that flag.

 

[unionblue]

The United States of America is known the world over for its patriotism, its something that makes your country stand out. I salute your brave service men and women, both those that made it through and those who didn't.

Waterloo50,

Your sentiments above are much appreciated.

Thank you for posting them.

With Utmost Sincerity,
Unionblue

 

[unionblue]

View attachment 101197 View attachment 101198 View attachment 101199 View attachment 101200

insert from the Confederate veteran magazine 1905

EXCELLENT POST!

 

[unionblue]

Unknown to most Americans.

http://ubique-matt.blogspot.com/2011/12/national-colours-regimental-colour-4th.html


National & Regimental Colours, 4th American Regiment of Infantry, 1812

On a recent visit to the fine principality of Wales, we visited the Museum of the Welsh Soldier located within Cardiff Castle. The museum covers the development and history of the modern 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards and The Royal Welsh Regiment.

Sharing a joint interest in the period my brother called my attention to the following display.

Quote from information panel:
"National Colours and (above it) a fragment from the Regimental Colour of the 4th American Regiment of Infantry.

These are extremely rare. The Colours (flags) are the heart of an infantry regiment. The US Army has not lost many. These Colours were surrendered to our 41st Foot after the capture of Fort Detroit on 16 August 1812, during the War of 1812."

National Colour - Detail of Eagle

'The Forth Regiment' detail
Interestingly the US Army didn't use the famous 'Stars & Stripes' during this period.

You are not allowed to use flash photography in the museum and the lighting around the flags are deliberately keep subdued to protect the habit, hence the poor quality of the images (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!).

Due to the low lighting levels I couldn't tell if the Regimental flag was buff, white or yellow, the traditional colours used. Versions of this flag, suitable for 28mm figures, are available from Flags of War - 1812 US Regiment flags.

As far as I'm aware the only other US flags from this period still held in British hands are in the Shropshire Regimental Museum at Shrewbury Castle. These are the flags of the 68th , 85th and the 1st Harford Light Dragoons captured, oddly enough, by the British 85th Light Infantry.

Legion Para,

A bit of history I had no idea about.

Thank you for posting this and giving me new knowledge to appreciate.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[Frito]

Flag of the 5th Michigan My wifes GG Grandfather Pvt. Patrick Weldon rode in this unit and was in the East Cavalry Field fight at Gettysburg.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

View attachment 101881 Flag of the 5th Michigan My wifes GG Grandfather Pvt. Patrick Weldon rode in this unit and was in the East Cavalry Field fight at Gettysburg.

It's so amazing, seeing a piece of history like this, thank you!

" The Southern horsemen deployed into line of battle, slowly marching, the blades of their sabers glinting in the bright afternoon sun. They charged, headed straight for Union artillery blasting away at them. Gregg again ordered one of Custer's units, the 1st Michigan Cavalry, to charge, and, with Custer at their head crying, "Come on you Wolverines!" their charge split the Confederate line in two. Units of McIntosh's brigade and elements of the 5th, 6th and 7th Michigan Cavalry regiments joined in, attacking the flanks of Stuart's charging lines, and the confused Confederates broke and fell back. Taking more heavy losses, Stuart abandoned his quest to reach the intersection of the Hanover and Low Dutch Roads. The fight for East Cavalry Field was over. "
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefield...rg-history-articles/gettysburgwittenberg.html

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

We lost so many men, it is difficult understanding how many we must pause to pay tribute to, from the Civil War alone.

Pennsylvania regiment, not sure which- men fell under it- and we remember them.

 

[kevikens]

Did the parents or spouses of those men killed during the war ever get something from their respective governments acknowledging their losses? Something like the WW II telegrams, "We regret to inform you...", or a gold star for a window pane? Or anything tangible as a reminder of their loss or did they have no reminder other than a vacant chair?

 

[Waterloo50]

Did the parents or spouses of those men killed during the war ever get something from their respective governments acknowledging their losses? Something like the WW II telegrams, "We regret to inform you...", or a gold star for a window pane? Or anything tangible as a reminder of their loss or did they have no reminder other than a vacant chair?

I just took it for granted that the dead soldiers closest buddy would write to the family, I hadn't given much thought to the official method of notification, great question..

 

[Iowa Miss]

My gr gr grandparents learned on their son's death from the Chaplain at Adams Hospital in Memphis TN.

 

[Legion Para]

 

[GS]

27th Alabama Regiment

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Did the parents or spouses of those men killed during the war ever get something from their respective governments acknowledging their losses? Something like the WW II telegrams, "We regret to inform you...", or a gold star for a window pane? Or anything tangible as a reminder of their loss or did they have no reminder other than a vacant chair?

It is indeed a great question- have wondered this, too, because there are so many different era accounts out there. Which was ' official ' ?

Always dislike stating something as fact, when I have no idea if it was policy across the board? Just from reading era accounts and having 2 of these notices in our family, it must have varied? Nurses accounts tell us they wrote these appalling, necessary letters, sometimes enclosing a soldier's last letter, if he died in a hospital. Chaplains, which sure seem the obvious choice, may have been the ' official ' method, poor guys? JPK's brother Sam was killed at Shiloh- his closest friend wrote his parents, enclosing a lock of hair. Another brother, dying a political prisoner early in the war, was the worst- newspapers got it before a fellow prisoner was able to write.

 

[kevikens]

It is indeed a great question- have wondered this, too, because there are so many different era accounts out there. Which was ' official ' ?

Always dislike stating something as fact, when I have no idea if it was policy across the board? Just from reading era accounts and having 2 of these notices in our family, it must have varied? Nurses accounts tell us they wrote these appalling, necessary letters, sometimes enclosing a soldier's last letter, if he died in a hospital. Chaplains, which sure seem the obvious choice, may have been the ' official ' method, poor guys? JPK's brother Sam was killed at Shiloh- his closest friend wrote his parents, enclosing a lock of hair. Another brother, dying a political prisoner early in the war, was the worst- newspapers got it before a fellow prisoner was able to write.

Thanks. I, too, have read of such happenings but I have always wondered if either the Confederate or Union governments had some agency that would try to get word out to the families of the dead that their loved one was not coming home. During WW II and Korea and Vietnam, and even presently, I think, the next of kin have gotten something from someone in the government. I think in WW II a telegram came from the War Department. Also I don't know how this was done in the Spanish American War or WW I. I know that after the war, Clara Barton worked tirelessly to get the word out to Northern families of what the fate of their missing loved ones had been but I am not sure how much cooperation, if any, she had from officials of the US Government and I don't know if there was a Southern equivalent by the individual states with the CSA government defunct. Knowing what we do about the anguish that is keenly felt by those whose relatives are simply "missing in action" it seems unforgivably harsh that the governments who sent these men off to battle would be so uncaring as not to notify the families of those whose loved ones were gone that they would always have that vacant chair at the table.. Given what today is, Memorial Day, it would be good to know how this sad news first arrived at home.