First Flag On Lookout Mountain

[Robert Gray]

Early on the morning of November 25, 1863, a Union detachment planted the Stars and Stripes on Lookout Mountain. The first man up is said to have been Capt. John Wilson, Co. C, 8th Kentucky Infantry. In the picture he is holding the flag. The other men are, right to left, Sgt. James Wood, Pvt. William Witt, Sgt. Harry I. Davis, Pvt. Joseph Bradley, and Sgt. Joseph Wagers.


Images:
Unknown
Cowans Auctions
Eastern Kentucky University Libraries
Library of Congress

 

[Sheltowee]

Early on the morning of November 25, 1863, a Union detachment planted the Stars and Stripes on Lookout Mountain. The first man up is said to have been Capt. John Wilson, Co. C, 8th Kentucky Infantry. In the picture he is holding the flag. The other men are, right to left, Sgt. James Wood, Pvt. William Witt, Sgt. Harry I. Davis, Pvt. Joseph Bradley, and Sgt. Joseph Wagers.


Images:
Unknown
Cowans Auctions
Eastern Kentucky University Libraries
Library of Congress

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Awesome!!!!

 

[19thOhio]

When might that photo have been taken? I would expect that it was restaged for the photographer. That doesn't take away the significance of the event or photo.

 

[Lusty Murfax]

Early on the morning of November 25, 1863, a Union detachment planted the Stars and Stripes on Lookout Mountain. The first man up is said to have been Capt. John Wilson, Co. C, 8th Kentucky Infantry. In the picture he is holding the flag. The other men are, right to left, Sgt. James Wood, Pvt. William Witt, Sgt. Harry I. Davis, Pvt. Joseph Bradley, and Sgt. Joseph Wagers.


Images:
Unknown
Cowans Auctions
Eastern Kentucky University Libraries
Library of Congress

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Sgt. Wagers was my maternal Grandpa's Uncle. According to a relative, a Grandson of Sgt. Wagers, he is the second from left in the photo. I found a post from another relative on Ancestry:
http://muddyboots76.blogspot.com/2009/10/lookout-mountain-then-now.html "...Captain [John] Wilson poses . . . with the five soldiers of the 8th Kentucky who helped him signal victory by carrying the first Union flag to the crest of the mountain. From left to right stand Sergeant Joseph Wagers, Private Joseph Bradley, Sergeant Harris Davis, Private William Witt, and Sergeant James Wood. The bearded, 49-year-old Wilson balances at the edge of the stone outcropping, holding the flag..."

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

Sgt. Wagers was my maternal Grandpa's Uncle

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/43089270

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/43987747

 

[DixieRifles]

When might that photo have been taken? I would expect that it was restaged for the photographer. That doesn't take away the significance of the event or photo.

My thoughts exactly. Over the next month and even years, there were many excursions up to the peak to pose for photos. I'm sure this was one of those posed photos taken when the sun was out.
Remember---they called it the "Battle above the clouds" for a reason.