76th Ohio Infantry - Battle Flag - NEW

Item CDV-10888

Description

After being captured by the Confederate 1^st Arkansas Infantry under the command of General Patrick Cleburne, the flag remained in the collection of General William Hardee for nearly half a century before being returned to surviving veterans of the 76^th Ohio at a United Confederate Veterans Reunion in Jacksonville, Florida in 1914.
 
Governor James M. Cox said, “It will be forever preserved as an emblem of their heroism in defending it, and of your bravery in winning it.”  The colors were lost when color guard Silas Priest was struck down and when falling the flag fell far in front of the regiment, several soldiers tried to retrieve the colors but were gunned down.  The flat represented in this rad cdv is the torn and mangled national colors of the 76^th Ohio.
 
The image was taken February 4, 1864 in Cincinnati Ohio.  After the regiment arrived home on veterans’ furlough.  Eight men were cut down in succession while carrying the flag at Ringgold.  “It will be seen how dear the flag was to the men of the regiment and how unflinching was their determination to keep it afloat and retain it.”