Color Bearers

[Legion]

What was the way color bearers were picked during the war? Was it someone who was randomly picked or was it someone of strong character/bravery?

The reason I ask is because I was doing more research on my 3x Grandfather and found out he was color bearer for the 20th Georgia during Gettysburg and was wounded at Devils Den.

Personally I'd rather carry a rifle but did men want to be color bearer and did they consider it an honor?

[thomas aagaard]

I don't have time to look up the language in the drill books but he need to be able to march very very well.
(as in keep the pace and the length of the step and the direction)

The colors, with the help from the left and right guides are critical in moving a battalion in line from A to B in an effective manner.

And yes, bravery and a character that the other soldiers can look up to.


"Kautz NCO" might have something.
http://musket.dk/wp-content/uploads/1864-Kautz_NCOs.pdf

[SwingKid148]

The color bearer was an honor position.

The colors were a point of pride for each regiment with many of them having special flags outside of the standard national and state flag. (Speaking of the Union)

The flags were also a rallying point for their regiment in a battle.

[Leifr]

The colors were a point of pride for each regiment with many of them having special flags outside of the standard national and state flag. (Speaking of the Union)


Marginally related but I would love to see the Union able to carry both flags at the same time.

[SwingKid148]

Marginally related but I would love to see the Union able to carry both flags at the same time.

That would be sweet even if just in drill camps. :)

[L. Hopper]

It was a position of honor to become either the bearer or the guard. Once the bullets started flying, it was up to whomever was closest then reorganized afterwards. The flag was a point on the map for the higher command, and even company level, it needed to be up at all times.

It was also used as guides in Skirmishing, Formation (being a color company for the rest to dress onto), and for various Headquarters.

Scotts and Baxters manuals have good literature upon this.

[Oleander]

From Scott's


5O. In each battalion, the colour-guard will composed of eight or five corporals, according as the battalion may be formed in three or two ranks, and be posted on the left of the right centre company, of which company (for the time being) the guard will make a part.

51. The corporals will be selected by the colonel, who, nevertheless, will take but one at a time from the same company, and not one from the rifle, unless the rifles have bayonets. (In battalions with less than five companies present, there will be no colour-guard and no display of colours, except it may be at reviews.

52. The front or colour rank of the guard will be composed of a sergeant, (to be selected by the colonel) who will be called, for the time, the colour-bearer*, with a corporal on his right and left; these places will be given in preference to the corporals of grenadiers and light infantry,

· The colour, in bad or windy weather, except in saluting, will be born furled and cased. The heel or ferrule of its lance ought to have for support, a leather stirrup or socket, suspended from a belt, the latter belted around the waist of the colour-bearer.

[Johnny_Reb_1865]

It was a position of honor and pride.

I read somewhere that early in the war some men would have a fist fight for the right to be a color barer!

[Poorlaggedman]

I bet the battle-hardened units had a different selection process to new regiments. You basically had to have a death-wish and you realistically may have many soldiers in a regiment who would prefer death to the hardships of soldier life. You could survive as a color bearer but you very well might not.


Pride had it's limits. Like at Gettysburg when nobody would pick up the colors for one regiment.
http://npshistory.com/series/symposia/gettysburg_seminars/10/essay5.pdf

[A. P. Hill]

According to Major General Winfield Scott, writer of the Infantry Tactics of 1835, which all other tactics and organization manuals are derived from, states:



INFANTRY – TACTICS
OR
RULES FOR THE EXERCISE AND
MANOEUVRES
OF THE
UNITED STATES’ INFANTRY.


BY MAJOR-GENERAL SCOTT
U.S. ARMY


VOLUME I.
SCHOOLS OF THE SOLDIER AND COMPANY.


1835

TITLE I
ARTICLE I

Starting on page 15 states:


Colour–guard.

50. In each battalion of the colour-guard will be composed of eight or five corporals, according as the battalion may be formed in three or two ranks, and be posted on the left of the right centre company, of which company (for the time being) the guard will make a part.
51. The corporals will be selected by the colonel, who, nevertheless will take but one at a time from the same company, and not one from the rifle, unless the rifles have bayonets. (In battalions with less than five companies present, there will be no colour-guard and no display of col-ours, except it may be at reviews.)
52. The front or colour rank of the guard will be composed of a ser-geant, (to be selected by the colonel,) who will be called, for the time, the colour-bearer*, with a corporal on his right and left; these places will be given in preference to the corporals of grenadiers and light infantry, re-spectively, as often as they compose a part of the guard.
53. The other two ranks of the guard will each consist of three cor-porals; or if there be but one other rank, that will be so composed.
54. When the guard consists of three ranks, the centre rank will be

*The colour, in bad or windy weather, except in saluting, will be borne furled and cased. The heel or ferrule of its lance ought to have for support a leather stirrup or socket, sus-pended from a belt, the latter buckled around the waist of the colour-bearer.

Continues on page 16:

composed of the three corporals the most distinguished for regularity and precision as well in their positions under arms as in their marching.
The latter advantage, and a just carriage of the precision, are yet to be more particularly sought for in the selection of the colour-bearer.
55. The corporals of the colour-guard will carry their muskets with-in the right arm, as will be prescribed at the end of Title III – Bayonets always fixed.


General Guides.

56. There will be two general guides in each battalion, selected, for the time, by the colonel, from among the sergeants (other than first ser-geants) the most distinguished for carriage under arms, and accuracy in marching.
57. These sergeants will be respectively denominated in the ma-neuvers right general guide and left general guide, and be posted in the line of file closers; the first, in the rear of the right, and the second in rear of the left flank of the battalion.

So, what I read into this, the Colonel of the Regiment would review the records of the men of the color company, usually C, and based on those records, select men appropriate of rank and qualities to the position of his regimental colour-guard.

[SoCalExile]

Now, what weaponry did a color-bearer bring into battle? Was he unarmed as he is in the game, or did he typically have something in which to defend himself and the colors with?

[Saris]

Now, what weaponry did a color-bearer bring into battle? Was he unarmed as he is in the game, or did he typically have something in which to defend himself and the colors with?

The color-bearers carry only the flag because it took up both their hands and he had a color guard to defend himself and the flag.

[L. Hopper]

Correct Saris, no Armory issued weapons were given to standard carriers.

Now whether or not a soldier were to carry a personal defense revolver, pistol or knife as part of his kit, was up to him; and of his own pay.

[Sox]

Correct Saris, no Armory issued weapons were given to standard carriers.

Now whether or not a soldier were to carry a personal defense revolver, pistol or knife as part of his kit, was up to him; and of his own pay.

Off the top of my head I can think of at least one instance where a colour bearer shot the man trying to take his flag (Tom Custers second CMH award I think it was) so this certainly did happen.

[A. P. Hill]

This discussion on arming color bearers is all well and good but I do believe the Developers have stated Color Bearers in Game will not be armed.

[RealNutcase]

I know not much of detailed history of the civil war, but in Napoleontic period it was indeed an honour to carry the flag. Also it came together with a rank in the field. Some say it is a ceremonial rank only, but some of them where younger officers in training. So indeed it was a special tast in the field. Also it came with a sword to defend yourself and you where surrounded by sappers and other special soldiers.

[GunnerNo]

What was the way color bearers were picked during the war? Was it someone who was randomly picked or was it someone of strong character/bravery?

The reason I ask is because I was doing more research on my 3x Grandfather and found out he was color bearer for the 20th Georgia during Gettysburg and was wounded at Devils Den.

Personally I'd rather carry a rifle but did men want to be color bearer and did they consider it an honor?

From what i understand, Color bearers were generally the best and most exemplary soldiers in the unit. Being chosen as the Color bearer was considered to be a massive honor and something that can only be earned and not given out of necessity.