"Why Were Flags So Important in the Civil War?" Topic

"Civil War soldiers placed great importance on the flags of their regiments, and men would sacrifice their lives defending a regimental flag to protect it from capture by the enemy.

A great reverence for regimental flags is often reflected in accounts written during the Civil War, from newspapers to letters written by soldiers to official regimental histories. It's obvious that flags carried enormous significance.

The respect for the flag of a regiment was partly a matter of pride and morale. But it also had a practical aspect closely associated with the conditions of a 19th century battlefield…"

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Armand

When I was in Montgomery in 1996, I saw the display of Alabama regimental flags at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. I also bought the poster showing 25 of their regimental flags.

The flags were supposed to be turned over to the Federal government, and some were. They were later returned to the states. Other flags had been secretly taken home by the men after the end of the war.

Grelber

The early flags of 1861 were muster flags. Each group of varying size would March to muster camps carrying hand made flags from their town or county.
Often made by wives and sisters, they were kept after the regimental colors were issued at the deployment area. For example a Polk Corps would have one style, cross and a Hardee Corps would have the cannon ball style.
The muster flags were kept to designate camp location.

Thanks

Armand

The attached article explains it all very well.

(smile)

Armand