Were Color Bearers Armed?

[RaggedAssSecond]

Did regulations stipulate that color bearers were not to be armed? Are there any documented instances where color bearers were armed in battle?


Sgt. William Crawford Smith of the 12th Virginia Infantry.

 

[Sgt Williams]

We read accounts of "the color bearer was struck down and Sargent or Corporal or Private John Jones picked up the colors and carried them until he too was cut down, etc. For sure all these men who picked up the colors in the midst of battle had previously been armed infantrymen. It doesn't say they dropped their rifle or sword, they just picked up the colors. Would you drop your rifle and means to defend yourself if you picked up the colors. That's a serious question. I don't know what I would have done. Given the heat of battle and the adrenalin rush of grabbing the colors, I would imagine either would be possible.

 

[RedRover]

the color bearers were surrounded by a "color guard" of picked corporals from the companies of the regiment. They were fully armed, with bayonets fixed, etc., but forbidden to fire their muskets in action, but to simply guard the color.

Where the bearer fell, the color guard men would take up the flag in succession if needs be.

Jim Card was a color guard in the 5th Ohio.

From the 86th Indiana at Missionary Ridge...

Color bearer and Color Guard of the 10th Kentucky Infantry USA:

 

[thomas aagaard]

Well, of course a color bearer could not have carried a rifle, but I know of no reason he could not have had a holstered pistol.

He was not issued one.
They where expensive and not that easy to buy since both sides did not have sufficient revolvers to arm their cavalry.
He had the rest of the colorguard to protect him.

So did it happen. likely.
Was it common? no.

 

[Old Soldier]

We read accounts of "the color bearer was struck down and Sargent or Corporal or Private John Jones picked up the colors and carried them until he too was cut down, etc. For sure all these men who picked up the colors in the midst of battle had previously been armed infantrymen. It doesn't say they dropped their rifle or sword, they just picked up the colors. Would you drop your rifle and means to defend yourself if you picked up the colors. That's a serious question. I don't know what I would have done. Given the heat of battle and the adrenalin rush of grabbing the colors, I would imagine either would be possible.

View attachment 538940

As I stated earlier, the real colors were some weight. Sure, they could have sheathed the sword or slung their rifle, but raising the colors was a two-handed job - they were more like a rug, not a small cotton flag

 

[Championhilz]

Suddenly I saw the beautiful emblem and it proud and brave bearer tumble to the earth. Oh! How my heart bled to see that noble man, that beautiful flag go down! But animated by a soul of flame which death alone could extinguish, the next instant he was seen crawling towards the enemy on one hand and knees dragging his beloved colors after him. Ah! The death hail was rattling around us then, and many a noble man there fell to rise no more; yet, many a death dealing blow was struck by us in return as we rushed despite all obstacles, on, right on to the front. I saw our beautiful flag no more, but was told that Silas C. Rushing snatched it from the ground and bore it proudly on, until he too, paid the penalty for his gallantry with his life's rich blood. Again, it was snatched up by some one and borne onward until he too was shot down. Thus thrice was our colors prostrated, and as often rose, when alas! they fell to wave no more over the brave hearts that were want to march beneath its beautiful folds, on to the acquisition of their dearest rights.
- Captain John Snead Lamkin, Company E, 33rd Mississippi Infantry describing the loss of the regimental colors at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, Georgia

 

[Story]

They were armed with incredible courage.

When teaching the Civil War to my 8th graders, I like to talk about how the color bearers went into battle unable to defend themselves, knowing that they would be a primary target of the enemy. Almost without exception, a student will raise his or her hand and ask why in the world a sane person would do such a stupid thing. Any my answer is always the same...

"It was just a different time. Back then, people cared about things like honor and duty. We don't put much stock in things like that anymore, but maybe we should."

At least one was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Color Bearer, Minie Balls, and Bravery: Color Sergeant Leopold Karpeles

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Adam Greibel, Shapell Roster Researcher. The Washington Hebrew Congregation Cemetery is a peaceful place, quiet and shaded. On a warm spring morning you…

primarysourcehistory.wordpress.com

 

[Story]

I promise there are plenty of people in our armed forces today who would proudly assume the honor.

Exactly. The cyclic rate of a Springfield or Enfield doesn't hold a candle to an AK47's.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

He was not issued one.
They where expensive and not that easy to buy since both sides did not have sufficient revolvers to arm their cavalry.
He had the rest of the colorguard to protect him.

So did it happen. likely.
Was it common? no.

Agree.

 

[Old Soldier]

Exactly. The cyclic rate of a Springfield or Enfield doesn't hold a candle to an AK47's.

Looking at all the photos of wars in the 20th Century, I note that US forces are the only ones bearing colors on the march from the docks. No one else bothered. They did not appear on the battlefield either. The Brits stopped it after the South African War.

 

[Story]

Looking at all the photos of wars in the 20th Century, I note that US forces are the only ones bearing colors on the march from the docks. No one else bothered. They did not appear on the battlefield either. The Brits stopped it after the South African War.

I don't get your point, unless you're just looking for an argument - in which case, the turnoff for the Monty Python show was a few miles back.

 

[Old Soldier]

I don't get your point, unless you're just looking for an argument - in which case, the turnoff for the Monty Python show was a few miles back.

Troops of the American Army at Havre, 12 July 1918.

The point was that taking your colors to war was history at this time.

For those who thought this was a one handed task, look at these two color bearers. The Regimental Color is cased but, in line with Regulations, the National Color is never cased.

 

[RaggedAssSecond]

View attachment 539044

Troops of the American Army at Havre, 12 July 1918.

The point was that taking your colors to war was history at this time.

For those who thought this was a one handed task, look at these two color bearers. The Regimental Color is cased but, in line with Regulations, the National Color is never cased.

This is not quite accurate @Old Soldier.

The 2nd Engineer Battalion burned its colors during the Battle of Kunu-Ri (Korea) to prevent capture by Chinese troops when the battalion was overrun. The battalion has continued to burn its colors annually since the mid 1990's.

 

[Old Soldier]

This is not quite accurate @Old Soldier.

The 2nd Engineer Battalion burned its colors during the Battle of Kunu-Ri (Korea) to prevent capture by Chinese troops when the battalion was overrun. The battalion has continued to burn its colors annually since the mid 1990's.

I was refering to the European Armies. However, I doubt it those colors were carried in the field in Korea.

 

[G Low]

This is one of my uncle's

SGT William E Reagin (1839-1865) - Find a Grave...

CO B, 35th Regiment, Georgia Infantry Bartow Avengers Reagin, William- private September 21,1861. Appointed 4th Corporal April 1862. Wounded in 1862. Appointed Color Bearer; 3d Sergeant June 1864. Killed at Petersburg, Va. March 25, 1865. Note: During the Petersburg siege this position...

www.findagrave.com

He also had two other brothers, one died at Gettysburg the other permanently disabled after Fredericksburg. Any imformation on this unit?

 

[G Low]

Same Regiment

CO B, 35th Regiment, Georgia Infantry "Bartow Avengers"

Reagin, Wilson- private September 21,1861. Captured or killed at Gettysburg, Pa. July 3,1863.

Missing In Action after Battle of Gettysburg