My GrgrgrgrGrandfather George Wellington Albert Preston was in the 18th Missouri Regiment Co. E. He was wounded at the Battle of Shiloh. Below is a quote from a book "The Eighteenth Missouri" by Leslie Anders. Page 62.
"While the enemy captured over 130 men of the 18th Missouri including Colonels Miller and Pratt and most of the Company commanders, they never got their hands on the colors of Company E. Private George W.A. Preston of Pennville, on his way to a hospital, was given the huge color-flag of his Co to take away from the battlefield for safe keeping. The flag had been made by a half-dozen patriotic ladies of Pennville while Jake Clark was raising the Co. We may never know Preston's full story, but visitors to the main floor of the Capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri may see the encased colors of Company E. on permanent display.
I called the Capitol to see if I could obtain a photo of the Colors. I was told the flag is no longer on display but is preserved in the archives. George Preston was injured at the Hornet's nest in the battle of Shiloh. Following the war,He raised his family of eight children in Milan, Missouri. He passed away on Jan. 2, 1898.