On the 19th, Capt. J H Martin D/17 and John Lindsay, C/17, pre war college buddies, raced across Lafayette Road ahead of the brigade and into the arms of the 8th Kansas Inf’y. Martin’s shoe sole was shot off, and he was shot at again by 1st Lt James E Love, Adjutant 8th Kansas, who was in turn shot dead by Lindsay. Both Georgians were then temporarily captured, as Benning’s main line overran the Kansas regt shortly thereafter.

On the 20th, the two friends attempted to repeat the trick, this time against the line including Estep’s battery. “In less than twenty feet of this battery, while trying to capture a flag, I [Martin] was shot through my under jaw, the bones on both sides being crushed, from the effects of which wound I have never recovered.” Martin was leading a pack of Confederates towards that flag.

“When about twenty paces from the battery, John Lindsay left our lines, ran to the guns and picked up the battery's flag, returning waving it over his head, and shouting in triumph. He came directly to me, and I can yet see the fierce joy in his eyes.” [Houghton & Houghton, Two Boys…, pp. 146-147] Houghton was from the Columbus [Ga] Guards; I believe Lindsay was with the Columbus [Ga] Volunteers. If they didn’t know each other pre war, they did by Chickamauga. Benning mentioned in both the OR [OR Vol XXX/2 – p 517-519] and SHSP that his brigade took one of the batteries’ flags, but didn’t ID it.

Another source says Lindsay received furlough in Feb 65 for meritorious service at Chickamauga. I haven’t dug into Lindsay’s CMSR yet, but I am hoping to find at least a reference to the special order granting this leave. I will get to this sooner or later, but am not there yet or in immediate future. It’s a roundabout way to try and id the original owner of the flag – no guarantees, but if the records are readily available to you, it's worth a look.

best regards,

Andrew Johnson