Quote:
Originally Posted by cyberia
Matt, any clue as to what the life expectancy was for color bearers?
I've heard that many never made it through their first engagement carrying the flag.
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Like Hal said it wasn't very long. One, two, maybe three battles if they were lucky. Obviously it would depend on the size of the attack and the intensity of the battle. They were bullet magnets. Mainly because once the smoke started to cover the battle field they became a beacon for both sides. For their own side they were a beacon for where to rally and for the enemy where to shoot. I guess my best example is that the 26th NC lost 14 Color Bearers killed and wounded, although one of them was from Pettigrew's Staff and Burgmwyn carried it twice, in the assault on McPherson's Ridge. The Regiment in the Iron Brigade directly above them, I think it was the Michigan Regiment, lost half a dozen or so. On the other hand the 26th lost only three flag bearers on day three. One was wounded early in the assault and the other two were one of the few that made it the entire way to and over the wall where they were captured.