The Virginia in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Flat Top Copperheads
In Response To: Flat Top Copperheads ()

Hello Darrell,

I have no knowledge to support the use of a serpent motif by the “Flat Top Copperheads”. The only mention of their attire that I am aware of is made in a March 4, 1862 letter penned by John Preston Sheffey of the 8th Virginia Cavalry. Sheffey described the men as “dressed in bark-dyed apparel with their long rifles and deer-skin pouches.” That doesn’t mean that some creative guerrilla didn’t wear a “Don’t Tread on Me” style armband. That theme has been popular with rebellious souls in America since before the Revolution. In fact, the first coin minted under Julius Caesar depicts an elephant trampling a serpent.

Any idea about the man’s identity? A Raleigh or Mercer County man?

All new information is being added to a file titled “Errata and Additions to the 1st Edition”, which is already 20 pages and growing. Hope your book project is going well.

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