I don’t think we have an entry here so far for an American Civil War soldier, so here’s some research on a specific one.
Robert H. Lindsay was the color-bearer of the 4th Kentucky Infantry, CSA. He joined the Kentucky Confederate units that were forming in Tennessee in September 1861. He enlisted in Company D, 4th Kentucky Infantry, which became a part of the famed Kentucky “Orphan Brigade.”
Bob Lindsay’s first battle was at Shiloh, TN on April 6-7, 1862. During that battle the original color-bearer of the 4th Kentucky fell, and Lindsay took the flag. He remained the regimental color-bearer, and carried the flag in all the rest of his battles. As you may know, the color-bearer was a very important position in a Civil War unit, being a key element in preserving the all-important alignment of the regiment as it marched forward in line of battle. In the smoke and confusion of battle, the color-bearer often played a key role in providing a rallying point for the unit. The regimental flags, or colors, were an easy target, and the mortality rate for color-bearers was high.
Lindsay was twice cited for gallantry in battle. In October 1862 the Confederate Government authorized “medals of honor” to be awarded for bravery. The actual medals were never produced, but the Confederate Adjutant Generals Office published a General Order providing for a “Roll of Honor” to be produced with the names of “one private or non-commissioned officer of each company after every signal victory it shall have assisted to achieve,” and to be read before the regiment at dress parade. The awardees were chosen by vote of the other soldiers of the company. The Army of Tennessee, to which the 4th Kentucky Infantry was assigned, selected the battles of Murfreesboro, TN (December 31, 1862 – January 2, 1863) and Chickamauga, GA (September 19-20, 1863) as battles for which the Roll of Honor should be produced. Robert Lindsay was named to the Roll of Honor for both of these battles; one of only seven such double awardees in the entire Army of Tennessee. He had been wounded at the Battle of Murfreesboro on January 2, 1863, and was mentioned by his colonel (Robert H. Trabue) in his official report of the battle: “The color-bearer (Robert Lindsay), being wounded, refused to allow anyone to accompany him to the rear, although bleeding at the mouth and nose.” (Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. 20 page 828)
Robert H. Lindsay was the color-bearer of the 4th Kentucky Infantry, CSA. He joined the Kentucky Confederate units that were forming in Tennessee in September 1861. He enlisted in Company D, 4th Kentucky Infantry, which became a part of the famed Kentucky “Orphan Brigade.”
Bob Lindsay’s first battle was at Shiloh, TN on April 6-7, 1862. During that battle the original color-bearer of the 4th Kentucky fell, and Lindsay took the flag. He remained the regimental color-bearer, and carried the flag in all the rest of his battles. As you may know, the color-bearer was a very important position in a Civil War unit, being a key element in preserving the all-important alignment of the regiment as it marched forward in line of battle. In the smoke and confusion of battle, the color-bearer often played a key role in providing a rallying point for the unit. The regimental flags, or colors, were an easy target, and the mortality rate for color-bearers was high.
Lindsay was twice cited for gallantry in battle. In October 1862 the Confederate Government authorized “medals of honor” to be awarded for bravery. The actual medals were never produced, but the Confederate Adjutant Generals Office published a General Order providing for a “Roll of Honor” to be produced with the names of “one private or non-commissioned officer of each company after every signal victory it shall have assisted to achieve,” and to be read before the regiment at dress parade. The awardees were chosen by vote of the other soldiers of the company. The Army of Tennessee, to which the 4th Kentucky Infantry was assigned, selected the battles of Murfreesboro, TN (December 31, 1862 – January 2, 1863) and Chickamauga, GA (September 19-20, 1863) as battles for which the Roll of Honor should be produced. Robert Lindsay was named to the Roll of Honor for both of these battles; one of only seven such double awardees in the entire Army of Tennessee. He had been wounded at the Battle of Murfreesboro on January 2, 1863, and was mentioned by his colonel (Robert H. Trabue) in his official report of the battle: “The color-bearer (Robert Lindsay), being wounded, refused to allow anyone to accompany him to the rear, although bleeding at the mouth and nose.” (Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. 20 page 828)
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