Sixth CT captures flag at Battery Wagner

[SCTiger]

Comrades:

Was reading this letter from the OR's Series I., Volume 28 , part II (correspondence) page 64.

HDQRS. SIXTH REGIMENT CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS
Morris Island, S. C., July 16, 1863

The rebel battle-flag, inscribed "Pocotaligo, October 22, 1862," was captured on Morris Island, S.C., July 10 1863, by the advance line skirmishers of the Sixth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers near the second battery, when
advancing on the battery.

The flag was taken by Private Prosper Hounslow, Company D, Sixth Connecticut Volunteers who shot the color-bearer through the head while he was attempting to escape with it. The stain upon the flag was caused by the blood of the color-bearer, who fell upon the flag when shot.

John L. Chatfield
Colonel, Commanding Regiment.



Which CS unit lost the colors? I know it wasn't the 27th SC, Charleston Light Infantry. As this was the "First Assault" the credit for reaching the parapet often goes to the 7th CT, is this a mistake also? What happened to the captured colors?

Several hours of searching hasn't produced any results.

It''s also possible that both units the 6th CT and the mystery CS unit met previously at Pocotaglio, SC in October 1862?

[RebelReefer]

Re: Sixth CT captures flag at Battery Wagner

I've done a heavy amount of research into the 7th Connecticut, it being on e of the units i portray on a regular basis. To my knowledge to 6th CT was no where near Fort Wagner during the 1st battle. The unit you are refering to has to be the 7th CT.

[SCTiger]

Re: Sixth CT captures flag at Battery Wagner

Maybe the letter was wrong, it does state the Sixth. That would solve the mystery. If the 7th did capture the flag, who did they capture it from? It would seem that this flag would be easily identifiable with the blood stain and Pocotaglio date. Could be worth looking into, I am still on the hunt, thanks for the reply. Why would he misidentify his own regiment, false glory?

[sflyankee]

Re: Sixth CT captures flag at Battery Wagner

Actually, both the 6th & 7th Connecticut were in Gen. Brannan's forces in October 1862. They might have faced the mystery CS reg't there.

I am pretty sure that the flag was captured by the 6th, not the 7th. Col. J.L Chatfield was in command on July 10th, 1863. Additionally, the Soldiers & Sailors System lists Roper (sic) Hounslow as a private in Company D, 6th Connecticut. Unfortunately, nothing I have suggest the CS unit from which the flag was taken.

My research shows that the 6th & 7th were at Battery Wagner, but not together. The 7th assaulted the fort on July 11th, reached the top, but were not supported and retreated under heavy fire. They were placed in reserve, while the 6th took place in the 2nd assault on July 18th.

Greg, you have peaked my curiosity, too. I guess I have some homework tonight.

Brian Wysong
7th Connecticut, Company G
Department of the South

[SCTiger]

Re: Sixth CT captures flag at Battery Wagner

It is also possible that the flag is an artillery standard as well.

Pvt. Ezra Chamberlain was also a member of Co. K, 7th CT, was there, his dog tag was found in the H. L. Hunley, possibly one of the Hunley crew was at Battery Wagner that day.

I'll keep looking.

Greg Deese

[bAcK88]

Re: Sixth CT captures flag at Battery Wagner

I found this today while reading the Record of Service of Connecticut Men in the Army and Navy of the United States During the War of the Rebellion.
pg. 258, History of the Sixth Regiment C.V. Infantry written by Charles K. Cadwell, late Sergeant of Company F, Sixth Connecticut Volunteers.

A midnigt of July 9th, the regiment with other forces under General Strong, ascended Folly River in boats, and at daybreak on the 10th, after a desperate resistance, and under a galling fire, effect a landing on Morris Island in the face of the enemy's guns, and charged and carried the fortifications, capturing during the day 125 prisoners and two battle-flags, one of which was taken by Roper Hounslow, of Company D, the rebel standard-bearer losing his life in the attempt to save his flag. The regiment was at the front during the whole day, but lost only ten men.

Hope this helps,

[Cap and Ball]

Re: Sixth CT captures flag at Battery Wagner

540 Men Of The 6th Conn Were In The First Wave Of The Attack On Morris Island On July 10.1863. One Of The Boats Of The 6th Conn Was Struck By A Shell And A Member Of Co.e Lost A Leg And Another Was Wounded.

Chris Wallace

[SCTiger]

July 10, 1863

Friends;

This a good discussion with alot of side notes. The July 10th assault on Battey Wagner isn't studied in detail as much as the July 18th assault that involved the 54th Mass. I have found more clues in my quest to find this particular flag, now we have two flags to find!

According to Glenn Dedmont's book "The flags of Civil War South Carolina" 2000, on page 115:

"The 21st Regiment saw action on Morris Island on July 10, 1863, during the Federals' initial assault on the southern end of the island and during the first assault on Battery Wagner the following morning. During this action the regiment lost its battle flag. The above flag flew over their camp on Morris Island. Battery Wagner was abandoned in September, 1863. The regiment was transferred to Virginia, arriving on May 6, 1864, in time to fight against Butler's Army of the James......"

Footnote: In June 1998, the flag of the 21st Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers was offered for sale by antique dealer Gary Henderschott. At that time it was in a private collection."

We can now say that the 21st Regiment was one of the two flags captured
on July 10, 1863; however Dedmont's illustration did not have the Pocotaligo battle honor inscribed on it, nor could I find any record (thus far) of the 21st SCV fighting at Pocotaligo in October 1862. Three 21st flags are in existence, one at the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, One at the SC Relic Room, Columbia, SC and one in a private collection.

Many of the 1st Regiment SC Artillery were also captured on July 10th, 1863.
The 1st (Butler's) Infantry Regiment Regulars were also at Battery Wagner on July 10th.

The 21st flag is definetly one of the flags captured, which of the three surviving was captured at Battery Wagner is a good question. I am hypothesizing that Private Hounslow didn't capture the 21st flag. That would be the other captured/mystery fllag. I have found nothing thus far that the 21st fought at Pocotaligo.

The 27th SCV did fight at Battery Wagner on July 10th and 18th 1863 and Poco on October 22, 1862. They fought the 54th Mass.at both places, however; there is no Pocotaligo inscription or blood on the 27th flag nor anything thus far indicating that the 27th Charleston Light Infantry "lost" their colors. The 27th colors are now at the MOC in Richmond.

So I am still trying to find Pvt. Hounslow's flag and the unit that lost their colors on July 10th 1863 and the color bearer who lost his life.

One question always leads to hundred more doesn't it?

Also a list Confederate casualties from July10th, 1863 at the Trapman Street Hospital can be found here: Notably the 7th SC Battalion did fight in both Pocotaligo and then Wagner on 7/10/1863, so maybe this is the lead. Notice also the 1st SC, Matthews Artillery, Nelson's Battalion, 18th GA, 1st GA Volunteers, 12 Ga (which I thought arrived on the 11th!) and the 51st NCT.

http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Bunker/5870/hospitals.html#July%2013,%201863

Deese



Greg Deese

[SCTiger]

Found the 7th Battalion Colors!

Bingo! You look long enough and you will find something.

"You may be interested in knowing that the Regimental flag of the 7th SC Battalion, which was of the First National pattern, purchased by the CSA government from the firm of Hayden & Whilden of Charleston on 10 February 1863, was captured by the 6th CT on Morris Island on 10 July 1863 and presented to the Governor of CT. The CT State Archives has not responded to my repeated requests for information about its current status. The 25th SC also lost their flags during the same Union assault. (This, remember, was before these units were brigaded together.) Ironically, these same two units, plus the 21st and 27th SC, had their flags again captured at Weldon Railroad, VA on 21 August 1864. The flags of the 7th SC Battalion, 21st and 25th SC Regiments are in the collection of the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond. There is, however, no way of telling which flag belonged to which unit, as there are no unit designations on them."

Thanks to James A. Gabel at http://www.researchonline.net/sccw/history/7thbatt.htm

So I can sumise that the 7th SC and the 21st, with possibly the 25th and 27th SC lost their colors at Battery Wagner on 7/10/1863.

The 6th CT captured the 7th SC Colors . Could any of you Connectticut boys check on what happened to this flag? A photo or illustartion from them would be extremely helpful!


Greg Deese

[damnyankee14th]

Re: Sixth CT captures flag at Battery Wagner

I may have a contact who knows someone.... I'll ask.

Shawn Callahan
14th CVI Co. G
Old Saybrook Conn.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Sixth CT captures flag at Battery Wagner

Does not help much with the CS unit that lost its flag, but here are the Connecticut units service records.

From Dyer's Compendium of the War of the Rebellion;

6th Regiment Infantry

Organized at New Haven September 12, 1861. Left State for Washington, D.C., September 17, thence moved to Annapolis, Md., October 5. Attached to Wright's 3rd Brigade, Sherman's Expeditionary Corps, to April, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Dept. of the South, to July, 1862. District of Beaufort, S.C., Dept. of the South, to September, 1862. District of Beaufort, S. C., 10th Army Corps, Dept. of the South, to March, 1863. Jacksonville, Fla., to April, 1863. District Hilton Head, S.C., 10th Corps, April, 1863. Folly Island, S.C., 10th Army Corps to June 1863. 2nd Brigade, United States forces, Folly Island, S.C., 10th Army Corps to July, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Morris Island, S.C., 10th Army Corps, July, 1863. 1st Brigade, Morris Island, S. C., 10th Army Corps, July, 1863. District of Hilton Head, S.C., 10th Corps to April, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 10th Army Corps, Dept. of Va. and N. C. to May, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 10th Army Corps, Dept. Virginia and North Carolina, to December, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 24th Army Corps, to January, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Terry's Provisional Corps, Dept. of North Carolina, to March, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 10th Army Corps, Dept. North Carolina, to April, 1865. Abbott's Detached Brigade, Dept. North Carolina, to July, 1865.

SERVICE.--Sherman's Expedition to Port Royal, S.C., October 21-November 7, 1861. Capture of Forts Walker and Beauregard, Port Royal Harbor, November 7. Reconnaissance on Hilton Head Island November 8. Expedition to Braddock's Point November 10-11. Duty at Hilton Head, S.C., till January 20. Expedition to Warsaw Sound January 20-February 27. Duty at Hilton Head till March 20. Moved to Dafuskie Island and siege operations against Fort Pulaski, Ga., March 20-April 11. Bombardment and capture of Fort Pulaski April 10-11. Operations on James Island June 1-28. Grimball's Plantation June 10. Battle of Secessionville June 16. Evacuation of James Island and movement to Hilton Head June 28-July 7. Duty there till October. Expedition to Pocotaligo, S.C., October 21-23. Action at Frampton's Plantation, Pocotaligo, October 22. Duty at Beaufort, S.C., till March, 1863, and at Jacksonville, Fla., till April. Moved to Hilton Head, S.C., and duty there till June. Occupation of Folly Island, S.C., June 3-July 10. Attack on Morris Island, S.C., July 10. Assault on Fort Wagner, Morris Island, July 18. Moved to Hilton Head, S.C., July 25, and duty there till April, 1864. Moved to Gloucester Point April 27-May 1. Butler's operations on south side of James River and against Petersburg and Richmond May 4-28. Swift Creek or Arrowfield Church May 9-10. Chester Station May 10. Operations against Fort Darling May 12-16. Proctor's Creek May 13. Battle of Drewry's Bluff May 14-16. At Bermuda Hundred till August 13. Ware Bottom Church May 20. Petersburg June 9. Port Walthal June 16-17. Siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond June 16, 1864, to January 3, 1865. Ware Bottom Church June 20, 1864. Demonstration on north side of the James August 13-20. Battle of Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, August 14-18. Deep Run August 16. In trenches before Petersburg August 25-September 27. Moved to north side of the James September 27-28. Battle of Chaffin's Farm, New Market Heights, September 28-30. Darbytown and New Market Roads October 7. Darbytown Road October 13. Battle of Fair Oaks October 27-28. In front of Richmond October 31-November 2. Detached for duty at New York City during Presidential election of 1864, November 2-17. Duty in trenches before Richmond till January 3, 1865. Second expedition to Fort Fisher, N. C., January 3-15. Assault and capture of Fort Fisher January 15. Half Moon Battery January 19. Sugar Loaf Battery February 11. Fort Anderson February 18. Capture of Wilmington February 22. North East Ferry February 22. Duty at Wilmington, N. C., till June and at Goldsboro till July. Mustered out August 21, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 8 Officers and 99 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 124 Enlisted men by disease. Total 235.



7th Regiment Infantry

Organized at New Haven September 13, 1861. Left State for Washington, D.C., September 18, thence moved to Annapolis, Md., October 5. Attached to Wright's 3rd Brigade, Sherman's Expeditionary Corps, to April, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Dept. of the South to July, 1862. District of Hilton Head, S.C., Dept. of the South to September, 1862. District of Beaufort, S.C., 10th Army Corps, Dept. of the South, to January, 1863. Fernandina, Fla., to April, 1863. District of Hilton Head, S.C., 10th Corps to June, 1863 (Cos. "A," "B," "I," "K"). St. Helena Island, S.C., 10th Army Corps, June, 1863 (Cos. "A," "B," "I," "K"). 2nd Brigade, Folly Island, S.C., 10th Corps (Cos. "A," "B," "I," "K") to July, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Morris Island, S.C., 10th Corps (Cos. "A," "B," "I," "K'), July, 1863. 1st Brigade, Morris Island, S.C., 10th Corps (Cos. "A," "B," "I," "K") to August, 1863. Regiment at St. Augustine, Fla., till August. 3rd Brigade, Morris Island, S. C., 10th Corps to October, 1863. St. Helena Island, S.C., 10th Corps to November, 1863. 1st Brigade, Morris Island, S.C., 10th Corps to December, 1863. St. Helena Island, S.C., 10th Corps to February, 1864. Hawley's Brigade, District of Florida, February, 1864. 2nd Brigade, Ames' Division, District of Florida, to April, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 10th Army Corps, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina, to May, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 10th Army Corps to December, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 24th Army Corps to January, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Terry's Provisional Corps, Dept. of North Carolina to March, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 10th Army Corps, Dept. of North Carolina, to April, 1865. Abbott's Detached Brigade, Dept. of North Carolina, to July, 1865.

SERVICE.--Sherman's expedition to Port Royal, S.C., October 21-November 7, 1861. Capture of Forts Beauregard and Walker, Port Royal Harbor, November 7. Duty at Hilton Head, S.C., till December 18. Reconnaissance on Hilton Head Island November 8. Expedition to Braddock's Point November 10-11. Moved to Tybee Island, S.C., December 18 and engaged in fatigue duty building batteries for the reduction of Fort Pulaski till April 10, 1862 (Cos. "B," "G" and "I" on Dafuskie Island March 20 to April 11). Manned Batteries Totten, Halleck, Sherman, Lincoln and Stanton. Bombardment and capture of Fort Pulaski April 10-11. Garrison duty at Fort Pulaski till May 27. Operations on James Island, S.C., June 1-28. Battle of Secessionville June 16. Evacuation of James Island and movement to Hilton Head, S.C., June 28-July 7. Duty at Hilton Head till September 30. Expedition to St. John's Bluff, Fla., September 30-October 13. Expedition to Pocotaligo, S.C., October 21-23. Action at Frampton's Plantation, Pocotaligo, October 22. Duty at Hilton Head and Beaufort, S.C., till January 8, 1863. Moved to Fernandina, Fla., January 13, and duty there till April 12, and at St. Augustine, Fla., till August 2, then moved to Morris Island, S.C. Cos. "A," "B," "I" and "K" detached April, 1863, and moved to Hilton Head, S.C. Expedition against Charleston, S. C., April. Occupation of Folly Island, S.C., June 3. Attack on water batteries, Morris Island, S.C., July 10. Assault on Fort Wagner July 11. Siege of Fort Wagner July 11-September 7. Regiment joins from St. Augustine, Fla., August 5. Capture of Forts Wagner and Gregg, Morris Island, S.C., September 7. Operations against Fort Sumter and against Charleston till October 16. Man Batteries Stevens, Strong, Weed and Kearney. Moved to St. Helena Island, S.C., October 16. Boat duty at Folly Island October 29-November 17. At St. Helena Island, S.C., till February, 1864. Veterans on furlough January 15 to February 27. Moved to Jacksonville, Fla., February 5-7. Expedition into Central Florida February 8-28. Battle of Olustee February 20. Duty at Jacksonville, Fla., till April 13. Moved to Gloucester Point, Va., April 13-20. Butler's operations on south side of the James and against Petersburg and Richmond, May 4-28. Swift Creek or Arrowfield Church May 9-10. Chester Station May 10. Operations against Fort Darling May 12-16. Proctor's Creek May 13. Battle of Drewry's Bluff May 14-16. On the Bermuda Hundred lines May 16-August 13. Attack on picket line June 2. Petersburg June 9. Bermuda Hundred June 14. Port Walthal June 16-17. Siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond June 16, 1864, to January 3, 1865. Demonstration on north side of the James August 13-20. Battle of Strawberry Plains Deep Bottom August 14-18. In trenches before Petersburg August 25 to September 28. Moved to north side of the James September 28. Battle of Chaffin's Farm, New Market Heights, September 28-30. Darbytown and New Market Roads October 7. Darbytown Road October 13. Battle of Fair Oaks October 27-28. Detached for duty at New York City during Presidential election of 1864, November 2-17. Duty in trenches before Richmond till January 3, 1865. Second expedition to Fort Fisher, N. C., January 3-15. Assault and capture of Fort Fisher January 15. Half Moon Battery January 19. Sugar Loaf Battery February 11. Fort Anderson February 18. Capture of Wilmington February 22. North East Ferry February 22. Duty at Wilmington, N. C., till June, and at Goldsboro till July. Mustered out July 20, 1865, and discharged at New Haven August 11, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 11 Officers and 157 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 192 Enlisted men by disease. Total 364.

[SCTiger]

Re: Sixth CT captures flag at Battery Wagner

Recieved an email back from Mr. Gabel today, maybe we can help him out.

Greg-
I sent two letters to CT, one to the Archives and the other to the Governor's office. This was years ago. I never received a reply to either of them. I know of no photo or illustration of the flag that was captured on Morris Island. I can only assume it was a First National Pattern Flag with "Pocotaligo" inscription in the center bar.

The fancy 7th SC Battalion flag currently at the Confederate Museum and Relic Room in Columbia was presented to the Battalion in the winter of 1863, probably as a replacement for the lost flag. The presentation ceremony is described in a footnote in Johnson Hagood's "Memoirs of the War of Secession," pages 113-114. This flag was probably never carried in battle.

Their next flag was a Charleston Pattern Battle Flag which was lost at Weldon Railroad, 21 Aug 1864. That flag is now in the collection of "The Museum of the Confederacy" in Richmond, VA. There are some indications that this flag was replaced by another that was carried until the surrender in NC. This last flag was apparently parted-out and these parts distributed to members of the Battalion to take home.

The flag bearer, whose blood stained the flag captured on Morris Island, is listed in the rosters in Hagood's "Memoirs" and the probable source for those rosters, the "Memory Rolls" prepared for the SC Confederate Historian in the 1880s and 1890s, as "Color Bearer and First Sgt Wm. Mayrant" on the Battalion Staff. On the other hand, he is listed in the "Confederate State Roster - South Carolina," which was derived from the "Index to Compiled Sevice Records," as "Sgt. W. R. Mayrant, Co. C, 7th SC Battalion." "Broken Fortunes," which lists all the SC war dead, shows him as "Mayrant, William K., Sgt. Co. C, 7th SC Battalion, from Richland District, KIA, 07/10/63, Morris Island, SC, age 24."

He had a brother initially with him in Co. C, who was also killed. "Broken Fortunes" lists John G. Mayrant, 3rd Sgt, Co. G., 7th SC Battalion, from Richland District, died of wounds suffered at Drury's (sic) Bluff, VA, 05/23/64, age 21." The "CSR- SC" shows him as only being in Co. C. However, the casualty report prepared by Hoke's Division's Surgeon shows him as Private John Mayrant, Co. G. 7th SC Battalion "wounded lungs and shoulder - mortally" at Drewry's Bluff. The "Memory Rolls" for Co. C is annotated "Transferred 1864," but he is not shown on the "Memory Roll" for Co. G.

If you are more successful than I was in getting a response from CT, please let me know. I may just try them again myself.

Jim Gabel
Rapid City, SD

[SCTiger]

Reply from CT State Museum of history

I want jump to conclusions here, but it could be that the 7th SC Battalion flag is lost or missing.

Received this email today:

Dear Mr. Deese:

Unfortunately I am not able to shed further light on the mystery of the
7th SC Battallion Flag. I have never come across any other references
to it except for the manuscript copy (retained by the 6th CV and now in
the CT State Archives) of the official letter describing its capture
that was sent up the chain of Federal command and later printed in the
Official Records.

The flag of the 4th Mississippi (captured by the 9th CV) and the flag
of St. Mary's [LA] Cannoniers (captured by the 13th CV) were held by the
CT National Guard until 1885 when legislation was passed permitting
these colors to be turned over to CT veteran's organizations to be
returned to Southern veteran's organizations in Mississippi and
Louisiana.

In 1925 the CT legislature gave $1,000 to the CT Department of the
Grand Army of the Republic to offset travel expenses for the return of
the 10th LA Regiment battleflag (captured by the 12th CV) to the
Louisiana Historical Association, which in reciprocation returned a
sword captured from the 12 CV's colonel during the War.

But nothing further on the 7th SC flag.....

Sincerely,
Dean Nelson
Administrator
Museum of CT History

Quote: "presented to the Governor of CT in 1863", any chance that it's still at the Governor's Mansion and it never made it to the State Archives?

Greg Deese

[roundshot]

Re: Sixth CT captures flag at Battery Wagner

What about the 1st SC Bttn? I was in a bookstore yesterday and saw the newly released Vol. 6 of Battles & Leaders. In it was an article on the 6th & 7th CT on Morris Island. The author mentions that when landing on the island they captured a number of prisoners belonging to the 1st SC, all of whom were very well clad in cadet gray uniforms of excellent quality. I don't believe he mentioned the flag incident, but live prisoners certainly indicate contact. The 1st. also known as the Charleston Bttn., also was at Pocotoligo. Don't know anything about their flag, though. Just a thought.

Bob Williams
Reilly's NC Btty.

[markj]

Re: Sixth CT captures flag at Battery Wagner

Greetings,

I have notified the Confederate Flag newsgroup, of which I am a member, about your inquiry and they may provide some answers as well. This group contains many noted CS flag researchers including Greg Biggs, Howard M. Madaus, Tom Belton, et. al.

Will keep you posted,

Mark Jaeger