Why were flags important to Civil War soldiers?
• The color bearer carried the flag in the center of the regiment. Soldiers looked to the flag to maintain their position and to keep from being separated from their regiment. • The flag bearer(s) and 8 to 10 corporals made up the color guard. The pace of the color guard set the pace for the entire regiment. • During battle, the color bearer held the flag aloft to rally the regiment and renew its spirit. • Upon capture of an enemy site, the victors raised their flag, as described in General O. B. Willcox’s report about the capture of Petersburg in 1865: At 4.28 one of Ely’s flags, that of the 1st Michigan Sharp-shooters, was raised on the court house, and that of the 2d Michigan on the custom house a few minutes later. (Michigan in the War (Revised Ed.), Jno. Robertson, compiler. Lansing: W. S. George & Co., 1882. p. 549.
