Scots and the american civil war

[CoreyMacLeod]

My Great Great Great received a Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions at Antietam. He took a shot to the eye at Crater and that put him out for the rest of the campaign. The Scot line didn't come in until after him.

[Santa Kona]

Very interesting thanks.

[CoreyMacLeod]

Had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Ross at the Greenville games. Didn't get to talk with him long, he was very busy that day, but he gave an excellent talk. I hope to see him again. Bought one of his books giving a historical tour of Scotland. "Desire Lines" it's called. I recommend it.

[macwilkin]

I found the article posted very neat as I never knew anything about the Scottish-styled flag used by the Confederacy.

If I remember correctly, the aforementioned flag of the 30th Arkansas was not based on the Scottish Saltire, but rather on the colours of the "Hardee Pattern" battle flag of General Patrick Cleburne's Division, which was usually a "silver moon" on a blue field.

It should be remembered that the saltire is a heraldic device, and I've never seen any evidence suggesting that it was chosen for its ties to Scotland via the St. Andrew's Cross. The designer, William Porcher Miles, wanted a distinctive flag to stand out on the field of battle, unlike the "Stars and Bars", the 1st National Confederate flag, which could be mistaken for the US flag on a smoky battlefield and no breeze.

Regards,

Todd

[Joel]

Exactly. But I meant "Scottish looking," not the idea that the Confederate flags were based on the Scottish flag. My error on that for not being more clear.

The Confederate armies in the Western theatre had a variety of different battle flags, far different than those that served in the Eastern theatre. In the East, it seems to me that the Confederacy predominantly used the 1st National and 2nd National flags for the headquarters of brigades, divisions, corps and armies...saving the battle flag for the regiments. (Not always the case, but rather my observations.) In the West though, it got a lot more interesting.

Last time I was in Gettysburg few years back, I passed up on buying a book on the different kinds of Confederate flags...but in recent times I'm wishing I hadn't.

[macwilkin]

Exactly. But I meant "Scottish looking," not the idea that the Confederate flags were based on the Scottish flag. My error on that for not being more clear.

The Confederate armies in the Western theatre had a variety of different battle flags, far different than those that served in the Eastern theatre. In the East, it seems to me that the Confederacy predominantly used the 1st National and 2nd National flags for the headquarters of brigades, divisions, corps and armies...saving the battle flag for the regiments. (Not always the case, but rather my observations.) In the West though, it got a lot more interesting.

Last time I was in Gettysburg few years back, I passed up on buying a book on the different kinds of Confederate flags...but in recent times I'm wishing I hadn't.

I was a USNPS Ranger at a Civil War Battlefield for 9 years. You're preaching to the choir. :mrgreen:

You're right about the variations, though, especially out west. Missouri's Confederate troops had some very unique flags.

However, being the proud descendant of Iowa Mudsills, I prefer:

www.iowaflags.org

Loyally,

Todd

[Joel]

I was a USNPS Ranger at a Civil War Battlefield for 9 years. You're preaching to the choir. :mrgreen:

You're right about the variations, though, especially out west. Missouri's Confederate troops had some very unique flags.

However, being the proud descendant of Iowa Mudsills, I prefer:

www.iowaflags.org

Loyally,

Todd

I make and reproduce Civil War flags as a hobby, so I'm always interested in seeing any new flags that perk my interest.

Cheers,
Joe

[BoldHighlander]

Interesting article.
At least 9 of my Scobee ancestors rode as Confederate "raiders" under the banner of General John Hunt Morgan during the war. Another Scobee ancestor was a Union officer fighting guerrillas in Missouri.

The rest were Scots-Irish who served in the Stonewall Brigade.
I'm proud of them all.

[CoreyMacLeod]

My GGGGrandfather fought for a time with the Irish Brigade out of the 29th Massachusetts Co. E. Vols. Samuel Cole Wright was his name. There's some information on him at Antietam On The Web's site if you want to read a bit and see a picture of the guy.

[McFarkus]

My great-grandfather (whose mother was a Gordon) enlisted in the Virginia Militia on his 17th birthday in 1863. He later transferred to the cavalry and was a messenger for Gen. A.P. Hill riding the backroads to keep away from the Yankees.