861/07/08
Capt. J.W. Hereford, cmdg. F/42Va, writes this day to B.F. Gravely from Camp Lee, near Lynchburg.
"Our company ranks high for the short time that we have been here. Col. [Daniel A.] Langhorne has called for 8 of our men to bear the [regimental] Collours & to form the Collor escort, and today he required my orderly sergeant at his office to make out his muster roll and asked if I could send one other good colitch [colleague?]. We sent Mr. T. Barrow." [42Va: 28, 861/07/08]. [Note: The regimental color guard consisted of 8 corporals and 1 sergeant (also known as the color-bearer), appointed by the regimental commander, according to Gilham's Manual (42Va: 128, 36). The identity of the men picked for the color guard this day is not clear. However, see entries at 861/09/06, 861/09/23, 861/10/01, 861/12/31 for the names of 8 men subsequently appointed to the color guard.]
861/09/06
Pvt. Jabez Gravely, F/42Va, promoted color cpl. this day. [42Va: 17F1]. [Note: Who he replaced among the 8 corporals who normally comprised the bulk of the nine-man color guard is not known. However, there may have been several vacancies on the color-guard for soon after this, seven other men were appointed. See entries at 861/09/23 and 861/10/01.]
861/09/23
2Sgt Richard B. Shearer, I/42Va, promoted this day to color sgt., 42Va [42Va: 17I1] [Note: Who Shearer replaced as color sergeant is not clear. However, see entries at 861/09/06, and 861/10/01 for the names of seven color corporals who were appointed to the color guard.]
861/10/01
The following five men this day were appointed color corporals in the 42Va color guard: Wingfield T. Jones and Thomas J. Spradlin of C/42Va; George W.R. Heslep, E/42Va; Alexander B. Milstead, I/42Va; Samuel H. Trump, K/42Va [42Va: 17C1; 17E1; 17I1; 17K1]. See also entries at 861/09/09 and 861/09/23
861/10/31
The muster rolls for the period ending 31 Oct 61 provided the following on key positions in unit [42Va: 17A1 thru 17K1]:
Color Sgt. Richard B. Shearer, I/42Va, Promoted Col. Sgt. 23 Sept 61; present
Color Cpl. W.T. Jones, C/42Va, Apptd Color Cpl. 1 Oct 61; present
Color Cpl. T.J. Spradlin, C/42Va, Apptd Color Cpl. 1 Oct 61; present
Color Cpl. William Fulks, D/42Va, Apptd Color Cpl. 15 Oct 61; absent sick
Color Cpl. G.W.R. Heslep, E/42Va, Apptd "Ensign Corp[oral]" 1 Oct 61; present
Color Cpl. Jabez E. Gravely, F/42Va, Apptd Color Cpl. 6 Sept 61; present
Color Cpl. A.B. Milstead, I/42Va, Apptd Color Cpl. 1 Oct 61; present
Color Cpl. S.H. Trump, K/42Va, Apptd Color Cpl. 1 Oct 61; present
861/12/31
The 31 December muster rolls showed the following about the following Field and Staff: [42Va: 17B2-17K2]
Color Sgt. Richard B. Shearer, I/42Va, Present; promoted Color Sgt. 23 Sept 61
Color Cpl. W.T. Jones, C/42Va, Present; apptd Color Cpl. 1 Oct 61
Color Cpl. Martin V.B. Secrist, C/42Va, Present, replacing T.J. Spradlin who had been reduced to pvt.
Color Cpl William Fulks, D/42Va, Absent sick since 20 Oct 61; apptd 15 Oct 61
Color Cpl. G.W.R. Heslep, E/42Va, Present; apptd "Ensign Corp[oral]" 1 Oct 61
Color Cpl. Jabez E. Gravely, F/42Va, Present; apptd Color Cpl. 6 Sept 61
Color Cpl. T.L. Stultz, F/42Va, Absent w/leave.
Color Cpl. A.B. Milstead, I/42Va, Absent sick; apptd Color Cpl. 1 Oct 61
Color Cpl. S.H. Trump, K/42Va, Present; apptd Color Cpl. 1 Oct 61
862/02/28
Muster rolls for the period ending 28 February 1862 showed the following:[42Va: 17A2, 17B3-17H3, 17K3]
Color Sgt./Ensign Color Sgt was probably R.B. Shearer, I/42Va, since he is shown in other documents dated 862/03/27 as color sgt.; but there is no roll for this company for the period ending 28 Feb 62.
Color Cpl. W.T. Jones, C/42Va, Present
Color Cpl. William Fulks, D/42Va, Present
Color Cpl. George W.S. Heslep, E/42Va, Grade listed as "Ensign corp"; present
Color Cpl. Jabez E. Gravely, F/42Va, Status not stated
Color Cpl. T.L. Stultz, F/42Va, Present
Color Cpl. Samuel H. Trump, K/42Va, Present
862/03/23
An undated, nominal list of 42Va casualties at Kernstown, 23 March, published first in the Lynchburg Republican and later republished in the Daily Richmond Dispatch, shows the following: [42Va: 123, 862/04/08]
Company (commanding)
C (Capt Buford) Color Cpl W.T. Jones WIA
F (Capt Wingfield) Color Cpl. T.L. Stultz WIA
K (Capt Hale) Color Cpl. S.H. Trump KIA
862/03/27
R.B. Shearer, I/42Va, and color sgt, 42Va, present this day in unit, witnesses and signs Pvt. Bluford Able's, B/42Va, receipt for enlistment bounty this day. [42Va: 4, B. Able]
862/04/14
Elections take place this day in I/42Va, apparently the result of having to replace Capt. W.B. Rector, KIA Kernstown. Color Sgt. R.B. Shearer elected 2Lt. [42Va: 17I3]. To replace Shearer as color sgt, Color Cpl. A.B. Milstead, I/42Va, apptd this day as new Color Sgt [42Va: 17I3]. Milstead would resign as color sgt on 14 June [42Va: 17I4]
862/06/14
Color Sgt. Alexander B. Milstead, I/42Va, this day resigns his office [42Va: 17I4]
862/08/07
42Va prepares muster and inspection rolls this day. Although only the muster roll for C/42Va for the period 28 Feb-1 Jul is dated this date, see entry at 862/06/30 for explanation why this date appears to be the one when the other units in 42Va prepared their muster rolls. [42Va: 17A4-17F4, 17G5, 17H4, 17I4]. Muster rolls for period ending 30 Jun 1862 showed the following [42Va: 17A4-17F4, 17G5, 17H4-17K4]:
Color Sgt/Ensign A.B. Milstead, I/42Va, Apptd 14 Apr; resigned 14 June 62
" " " Samuel C. Hammond, E/42Va, Present
Color Cpl T.M. Stevens, C/42Va, Apptd 1 Mar; reduced to ranks 1 Apr 62
" " M.V. Secrist, C/42Va, Present
" " W.T. Jones, C/42Va, Abs since WIA 23 March 62
" " W. Fulks, D/42Va, Present
" " N.P. Dillard, E/42Va, Apptd 1 May 62
" " J.E. Gravely, F/42Va, Present
" " T.S. Stultz, F/42Va, Abs lv
" " R.H. Jones, I/42Va, Apptd 1 Apr; trans to 11Va 13 May
" " J.M. Price, K/42Va, Apptd 1 Apr; abs sick lv
862/08/09
A nominal casualty list for 42Va at Cedar Run submitted later by Peyton B. Gravely, adjutant, 42Va, to editor, Lynchburg Daily Virginian, shows the following: [42Va: 44, 862/08/26]
Unit (Commanding)
B (Capt. Dobyns) Color Cpl. H. Hylton, KIA
C (Lt. Garrett) Color Cpl. D.H. Moore WIA
E (Lt. Persinger) Ensign [Color] Sgt S.C. Hammond WIA
862/08/28
Color Sgt. Samuel C. Hammond, E/42Va was WIA at Manassas, but the muster roll carrying the entry says the wound occurred on 28 August. [42Va: 17E5] [Note: While that date (28 Aug) is possible, it would appear given the heavy activity the 42Va engaged in on 29 Aug that 29 Aug is a more likely date for the wounding.]
862/10/31-862/11/01
During this period, 42Va prepared muster rolls for period 30 Jun - 31 Oct 1862. The rolls were dated 31 Oct "near Berryville" by C, D, E, I/42Va; 31 Oct "near Millwood" by B/42Va; and 1 Nov "Camp near Berryville" by K/42Va. There were no dates or locations given for the rolls of the remaining companies (A, F, G, H/42Va). Muster rolls for period ending 31 Oct indicated the following [42Va: 17A5-17F5, 17G6, 17H5-17K5]:
Color Sgt/Ensign Samuel C. Hammond, E/42Va, Abs on leave since WIA 28 Aug [29Aug?]
" " " N.P. Dillard, E/42Va, Present
Color Cpl W.H. Floyd, A/42Va, Present
" " Harvey Hylton, B/42Va, Abs since WIA 9 Aug 62
" " D.H. Moore, C/42Va, Returned to unit 29 Oct, "nearly recovered" from WIA 9 Aug 62
" " W.H. Rose, C/42Va, Apptd 1 Oct 62; present.
“ “ M.V. Secrist, C/42Va, Reduced to ranks after 30 June; present 31 Oct 62, detailed as orderly for BG J.R. Jones by 31 Oct 62.
Color Cpl W.T. Jones, C/42Va, Abs since WIA 23 March 62; reduced to ranks after 30 June and on 31 Oct was at home unfit for duty
" " W. Fulks, D/42Va, Reduced to ranks; sent to hosp, Martinsburg, Oct 62.
" " T.H. Roberts, D/42Va, Present
" " J.E. Gravely, F/42Va, Reduced to ranks after 30 June 62; present 31 Oct 62 as pvt.
" " T.L. Stultz, F/42Va, Abs lv since WIA 23 March; reduced to ranks by 31 Oct 62
" " J.M. Price, K/42Va, Reduced to ranks after 30 June 62; present, pvt., 31 Oct 62
862/12/31
Muster rolls for period ending 31 Dec 1862 indicated the following [42Va: 17S1, 17A6-17F6, 17G7, 17H6-17K6]:
Position Name Notes
Color Sgt/Ensign Samuel H. Hammond, E/42Va Present
Color Cpl W.H. Floyd, A/42Va Present
" " D.H. Moore, C/42Va Present
" " W.H. Rose, C/42Va Present.
" " T.H. Roberts, D/42Va Present
" " N.P. Dillard, E/42Va Present; acting Color Sgt until return of Hammond
863/05/02-863/05/03
Lt. Col. Robert W. Withers, cmdg 42Va, wrote later [4 May] to editors, Lynchburg Daily Virginian, providing a nominal list of 42Va casualties at Chancellorsville in this period. The nominal list showed color guard casualties, as follows: [42Va: 44, 863/05/20]
Unit (Commander)
E (1Lt Wm Persinger) Color Sgt. S.C. Hammond, WIA
863/11/27
Lt. Col. Robert W. Withers, cmdg 42Va, wrote later [4 Dec] to editor, Lynchburg Daily Virginian, providing a nominal list of 42Va casualties at Payne's Farm on 27 Nov 1863. The nominal list showed the following color guard casualties [42Va: 44, 863/12/08]
Unit (Commander)
E (2Lt [not ID'd]. Co. H) Sgt S.C. Hammond [Color Sgt] WIA severely in arm.
K (1Lt J.W. Helm) [Color] Cpl. Jehu Foster KIA
863/12/31
Undated Field, Staff and Band, 42Va, muster roll for period 31 Oct 1863 to 31 Dec 1863, for unit at Pisgah Church, indicated the following [42Va: 17S2]:
Position Name Notes
Color Sgt/Ensign Position not listed on muster roll
Color Cpl Position not listed on muster roll
864/03/05
AIGO GO29, THIS DATE, PUBLISHES ACT OF CONGRESS CREATING THE REGIMENTAL POSITION OF ENSIGN. CONGRESS HAD APPROVED THE ACT 17 FEB 64. ACT ALLOWED PRESIDENT TO APPOINT IN EACH REGT AN OFFICER (RANK, PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF 1LT, BUT W/O CMD AUTHORITY) WHOSE DUTY IT WAS TO CARRY THE REGIMENTAL COLORS [48Va: 43]
864/05/12
Cpl. Charles H. Russell, H/93 NY Inf, was later awarded the Medal of Honor for "capture of the flag of the 42nd Virginia at Spotsylvania, Va.," this day. [42Va: 72r, 348, 1021]. Cpl. Charles L. Russell, H/93NY Inf awarded Medal of Honor: "captured the flag of the Forty-second Virginia Regiment, shooting the color-bearer, in the enemy's breastworks as we were charging the enemy at Spotsylvania May 12, 1864." [42Va: 72dd, 817]
The 93NY was part of Col. John S. Crocker's, 2d Bde, 3d Div (Maj. Gen. David B. Birney, cmdg), Second Corps (Maj. Gen. W.S. Hancock, cmdg). Crocker's 2d Bde consisted of 4 Maine, 17 Maine, 3 Mich, 5 Mich, 93NY, 57Pa, 63Pa, 105Pa, 1US Sharpshooters [42Va: 72r, 137-139].
The 93 NY reported later that on 12 May, at 3 a.m., it "charged the enemy's works near Spotsylvania Court House, the regiment capturing 2 stand of colors, 6 guns and 600 prisoners" [42Va: 72r, 481]. The second flag captured by the 93NY this day was taken by Lt. Wilbur D. Mosiere, but the identity of the CS unit to which it belonged could not be identified at the time. [42Va: 72r, 348]. Mosier did not receive a Medal of Honor for his capture [42Va: 72r, 1020-1021].
Casualties Among 42Va Color Guard -- 12 May
The identities of the men who made up the color guard for the 42Va on 12 May are not known with any precision. The company muster rolls for the period April-October 1864 list only two men, in the table below, as being assigned to the color guard.
Samuel C. Hammond, E/42Va Color Sgt, Not at Spotsylvania. Absent from unit since WIA 11/27/63 [42Va: 2f2]
Samuel J. Davis, A/42Va, Color Cpl, Captured 5/12/64 [42Va: 2b2]. Was not listed as part of color guard on 862/12/31 muster rolls
The absence of unit muster rolls for 1863 make it difficult to track changes in the color guard membership after 31 Dec 1862. However, the following men who were listed as part of the color guard on 31 December 1862 were present, or may have been present, with the 42Va on 12 May 1864. Those men, and their status on 12 May, were
Name Position Status on 12 May Remarks
D.H. Moore, C/42Va, Not known. On enrolling duty to 864/05/02. Rejoined 42Va as 2Cpl, C/42Va, by 18 July 64 when MIA, Snickers Gap [42Va: 2d2]
W.H. Rose, C/42Va, 4th Cpl, C/42Va. Captured. [42Va: 2d2]
T.H. Roberts, D/42Va, Present, but escaped capture [42Va: 44, 864/05/23]. Rank and position on 12 May not clear. Listed as Pvt. on Oct 1864 muster roll [42Va: 2e1]
N. P. Dillard, E/42Va, 3rd Cpl, E/42Va. Captured [42Va: 2f2]
864/10/31
42Va Company muster rolls for period 30 April through 31 October 1864, and F&S muster roll for 31 Aug to 31 October 1864, were completed about this date, showing the following results [42Va: 2a6, 2b2, 2c3, 2d2, 2e1, 2f2, 2g2, 2h2, 2i3, 2j2, 2k1]
Color Sgt Samuel Hammond Absent from E/42Va, at home wounded. [WIA 863/11/27.] Not listed as part of F&S
Color Cpl Samuel J. Davis Absent from A/42Va. POW 12 May 64. Not listed as part of F&S