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Re: 56th Pa flag lost at Gettysburg day 1

Shawn,

Thanks for the response. If you do a search of the older threads here, you will find some detailed discussions relating to speculation on the lost colors of the 149th PA. In summary, my own research with help from members of the message board here and others has led me to conclude that the 149th PA lost both its colors on July 1st. Sgt Brehm did not lose his colors to the raiding party made up of the 2nd and 42nd Mississippi. He apparently struggled with Sgt Frank Price of the 42nd Miss, but escaped the initial encounter. His colors were subsequently captured by another Confederate unit. Corporal Henry Spayd we believe was bearing the State colors. Following the initial clash of the 149th's Color Guard with the Confederate raiding party, Sgt Price of the 42nd Miss was knocked down and Pvt Henry McPherson of the 2nd Mississippi was also apparently rendered unconscious from a blow to the head. It was reported that when McPherson came to, he saw Spayd making back toward his own lines with Price in pursuit. McPherson fired at Spayd, hitting him in the leg and bringing him down. At this point, the story becomes a bit confusing, because Price at that point apparently halted; McPherson ran forward and wrestled the colors from the wounded Spayd and brought them back into the lines. Now some sources credit Price with their capture, and he was certainly involved. However, the 2nd Mississippi's compiled service records credit McPherson with the capture of a set of Federal colors (the unit is not noted) and he is later promoted to Ensign based upon that incident. From my research the only set of colors he could have captured would have been the 149th's State colors. This is not meant in any way to demean Price's actions, but most sources completely give credit to Price without any mention of McPherson and the 2nd Mississippi. I should also mention that Lt Atlas K. Roberts, who led the 2nd Mississippi raiding party was mentioned as the first to arrive at the scene and was killed by the 149th Color Guard after grabbing one of the flags.

Anyway, keep up the good work with all the research on the lost Federal colors. Let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Mike Brasher

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Re: 56th Pa flag lost at Gettysburg day 1
Re: 56th Pa flag lost at Gettysburg day 1
Re: 56th Pa flag lost at Gettysburg day 1
Re: 56th Pa flag lost at Gettysburg day 1
Re: 56th Pa flag lost at Gettysburg day 1
Re: 56th Pa flag lost at Gettysburg day 1