The Civil War Flags Message Board

Re: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?
In Response To: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags? ()

At Gettysburg, the 14th Virginia's flag was seen at the famous stone wall (Union line) reached by General Armistead, as reported by D. B. Easley in Confederate Veteran, vol. 36, p. 292. The book by Edward R. Crews in The Virginia Regimental Histories Series (H. E. Howard, Inc.) relates how Color Sergeant Thomas W. Shiflett was shot as he tried to cross the wall. The flag was then reportedly carried forward by someone else to a captured artillery piece and was afterwards claimed by Corporal Joseph DeCastro from the 19th Massachusetts. Col. Devereaux in Official Records states that his 19th Massachusetts took five flags (one of these was afterwards reclaimed by General Webb) and the four remaining included both the 14th and 19th Virginia, along with the 57th Virginia, the unit designations said to have been marked on the flags. His post-war report identifies the 53rd Virginia as the fourth flag. George Patch's diary states the 19th captured four stands of colors. Ernest Watt's History of the Nineteenth Massachusetts speaks of a fifth flag (no further information) taken by a private who passed it to a Major Rice, who presented it to the wounded General Hancock. Captain John Adams' Reminiscences relates how Sergeant Ben Falls of the 19th Mass returned with a rebel color and was instructed by an officer to turn it in for forwarding to the war department. The sergeant replied, "Well, there are lots of them over behind the wall. Go and get one; I did." For this effort Falls was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Messages In This Thread

14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?
Re: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?
Re: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?
Re: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?
Re: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?
Re: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?
Re: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?
Re: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?
Re: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?
Re: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?
Re: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?
Re: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?
Re: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?
Re: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?
Re: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?
Re: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?
Re: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?
Re: 14th Va Infantry Regt Flags?