"What happened when two Civil War flag bearers fought" Topic
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Tango01 | 12 Oct 2020 10:24 p.m. PST |
…each other? "It was the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Everyone involved in this Southern invasion of the Union knew how critical a victory would be for either side – and everyone was willing to risk everything to get the upper hand. That's when Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee ordered Lt. Gen. James Longstreet to charge the Union lines and take Cemetery Hill from Union Gen. George G. Meade.
Among the Union defenders was Joseph H. DeCastro – and he was about to become the first Hispanic Medal of Honor recipient. DeCastro was the flag bearer for the 19th Massachusetts Infantry, a job that was arguably one of the most important in any unit. Troops put a lot of faith on their flag and the man who held it. They would give their lives to protect their regimental flag, and there were few humiliations worse than losing the unit colors to an enemy. In practical use, the flags told the men attached to those units where they were on the battlefield. When they couldn't hear commands over the din of the fighting, they would still be able to see their colors. link Main page link Amicalement Armand
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ScottWashburn | 13 Oct 2020 7:48 a.m. PST |
Interesting story. However, I wonder if DeCastro was actually the color-bearer or rather, was a member of the color guard of his regiment. Each regiment had a nine-man color guard. Typically this was composed of a sergeant, who would carry the colors and eight corporals who would guard the the sergeant. If the sergeant went down, one of the corporals would pick up the flag and carry on, so it's possible DeCastro had done that. But is seems odd that he would leave the ranks, presumably carrying both his regiment's colors and the one he had captured. Also odd that Webb would not comment that the man was carrying both Union and Confederate flags. De Castro might have left his own flag with a comrade, but that seems odd, too. Oh well, it doesn't make any difference. The men in the color guard were in every bit as much danger as the man actually carrying the flag. |
Tango01 | 13 Oct 2020 12:30 p.m. PST |
Glad you enjoyed it my friend! (smile) Amicalement Armand
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