8th Georgia Infantry Webpage
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8th Georgia Infantry Webpage |
8th Georgia Infantry's Flags
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"First National" (Stars & Bars) Flag - found in Nov. 2001 |
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"Magruder" flag, discovered from 1990s research |
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"Second Bunting" Regimental Flag - including Magruder letter and Atlanta Constitution 1884 article. |
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First Georgia Regimental flag, once thought to be the 8th's |
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"Emblems of Valor" Artprints by Don Troiani |
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"Fourth Bunting" Regimental Flag |
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Color Bearers/ Ensigns |
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Company flags |
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New Stars and Bars image shown above
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Thanks to the efforts of Wes Clark of Dallas, TX and others, a 3' by 6' cotton flag with 7 stars, has been authenticated. It was probably manufactured in March or April 1861, and was supposedly sent back to Savannah, Georgia, early in the war, after the death of Colonel Bartow at Manassas. This "Stars and Bars" First National flag may have been replaced in April 1862 by the Magruder Flag pattern (see below). |
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The image at left represents a newly discovered "Magruder" flag, issued during the Peninsula Campaign in April 1862. These flags were made under contract by Almadea Tompkins, through the CS Navy Quartermaster Office for the Army. The 8th Georgia Infantry, as part of the "Army of the Peninsula" was one of approx. 40 units to receive these flags. |
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They were replaced quickly by the "Second Bunting" ANV flags with orange borders in late June 1862. However, many Confederate regiments still carried the Magruder pattern flags until after Sharpsburg (September 1862), where two were captured and one shot to pieces (the 32nd Virginia's). Four of these flags are known to exist, 3 in the Museum of the Confederacy, and one in a private collection (53rd Georgia Infantry). (Thanks to Greg Biggs for the information above. It is based upon recent research conducted by Greg, Ken Legendre, and Howard Madaus). |
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Second Bunting ANV Regimental Flag
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Pictured at left is the 8th Georgia Regimental "Second Bunting" flag, with orange borders. (Photo from John Roberts ). These were issued in Jun/Jul 1862, 48 inches square, made by the Richmond Clothing Depot. The flag was carried back to Rome after the Appomattox surrender in Lt. Col. E. J. Magruder's boot, and is believed to be the one now in possession of Mr. Towers, descendant of the 8th's Colonel, John R. Towers. |
"Georgia
Gossip - A Confederate Flag Going North"
from the Atlanta Constitution - February 23, 1884:
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Michigan is to greet a tattered Confederate flag which done duty in many battles. Dr. E. F. Chester of Cedar Springs, Michigan, who has been in Rome, Georgia, has secured the flag of the old Eighth Georgia, and will exhibit it at a military fair in the town of his residence. The flag was pierced by one hundred and eighty-nine bullets. It passed through seventeen battles and always waved in front when warm work was going on. In the seven days’ fight around Richmond it was once never lowered. It figured conspicuously when shot and shell were flying thickest around Spotsylvania, in the "Wilderness" at the second battle of Manassas, at Sharpsburg and its proud familiar folds floating o’er the brave old Eighth Georgia filled Beauregard’s heart with joy as its followers rushed to his rescue at stormy Petersburg. This old flag is torn and tattered and is stained with as brave Southern blood as ever flowed in the veins of mortal man. It is the property of Colonel E. J. Magruder, who fought under its folds until his regiment was presented with a new flag, which was at Richmond in the fall of ’64. Colonel Magruder folded the old one in his bosom, and at his first opportunity sent it home. He has kept the flag ever since, and would not part with it under any consideration. [Contributed by Douglas R. Davis] |
Read the letter that
Lt. Col. Magruder wrote to Col. Towers, after the War,
describing the dramatic history of this flag...
(This flag is used as a background and button on this page.)
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At left is a digitally enhanced and "improved" version of this flag. I have tried to retain the orange borders on 3 sides and the overall "battleworn" appearance. |
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First Georgia's Regimental Flag
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The flag represented at right (courtesy of Burroughs Enterprises), was formerly believed to belong to the 8th Georgia Infantry, but recent research by Howard Madaus has revealed that it is probably the 1st Georgia Regulars' flag. The actual flag is located in the visitor's center at Fort Pulaski National Monument, Georgia. |
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"Emblems of Valor" Troiani Art Prints
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Below are thumbnail images of Don Troiani's two versions of the 8th's Flag, titled "Emblems of Valor." They are based on the above flag at Ft. Pulaski, now believed to actually be the First Georgia Regulars' flag. The images are from pages 62 and 63 of the book "Don Troiani's Civil War," copyright 1995. Courtesy of Don Troiani - visit his excellent Historical Art Prints webpage. |
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Click here or on either image to bring up a larger image of these prints, along with a caption and description of the two paintings. |
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Fourth Bunting ANV Regimental Flag
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According to the letter from Lt. Col. Magruder to Col. Towers, the 8th received a new flag in June 1864. (Read this letter). This "Fourth Bunting" flag was probably the one surrendered at Appomattox on April 9, 1865. |
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The Fourth Bunting issues measured 51 inches square, including borders, with blue bars 7 inches wide, and large 5 inch stars. The stars were spaced every 8 inches. The flag borders were 2 inches of white cotton. |
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The following soldiers were color bearers/color guards/ensigns for the 8th Georgia Infantry Regimental Flag. Many of these soldiers are referred to in Lt. Col. Magruder's letter to Col. Towers, after the War. Read this letter. Andrews, John C., Pvt then appointed Sgt. - Co. C - [Possibly wounded at Gettysburg]. Wounded at Darbytown Rd., Virginia, Oct. 7, 1864. Died Oct. 11, 1864. Buried at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia. Barnwell, S. B., Ensign - Co. B - Killed at Sharpsburg, Sep. 17, 1862. Was ensign at Second Manassas, Chantilly, and Boonesborough.Daniel, Charles, 5th Sgt. - Co. B - Discharged with disability Oct. 31, 1861.Dwinnell, Melvin, 1st Lt. - Co. A - Wounded (shot in arm) at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. Eubanks, John J., 3rd Sgt. - Co. G - Wounded at Wilderness, May 6, 1864. Appointed regimental ensign Aug. 26, 1864.King, Felix H., Color Sgt. - Co. K - Wounded at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. Was color sergeant at Fredericksburg, Suffolk, and Gettysburg. Lathrop, Frank, 4th Cpl. - Co. E - Killed on the field at First Manassas, July 21, 1861.Manis, Edward, Cpl. - Co. H - Wounded at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. An "Israelite from Rome, Ga." Later elected 2 Lt of the First Foreign Battalion in 1864.Maxey, T. R., Cpl. - Co. K - ? Montgomery, James M., 1st Lt. - Co. E - Wounded at Woodstock, June 28, 1862; died from wounds June 29, 1862. (Seven Days Battles).Strong, Seth - ? |
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The 8th Georgia probably carried ten company flags, in addition to their 4 (?) regimental flags... Company A Flag: View the "Rome Light Guards" flag, and read about its history.Company C Flag: Read the Flag Presentation for the Macon Guards, early 1861.Company F Flag: Read the Flag Presentation for the Atlanta Grays, May 23, 1861. |
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Further research on the 8th's Regimental flags is under way. Any additional information about the 8th's Regimental (or company) Flags would be greatly appreciated! |
Crossed Battle flag graphic bar is courtesy of
Confederate Clipart Gallery|
8th Georgia Infantry Homepage · Battles and History · Flags · Command Organization |
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