ebooks The Damned Red Flags of Rebellion: The Confederate Battle Flag at Gettysburg by Richard Rollins in History

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The men and regiments who flew the ANV Flag at GettysburgBy Joe OwenAt the Battle of Gettysburg from July 1 to July 3; 1863 thousands of men from both the Union and Confederate Armies faced each other in bloody battles and in these battles in the thick of the fighting were the flags of both Northern and Southern Regiments. These flags were fiercely protected and fought over. Many men would die in a matter of seconds to protect their flags and keep them from the enemy's hands. For the Confederate flag bearers this meant that they would probably not survive the battle unharmed; either maimed; wounded; or be killed was the order of the day.Author Richard Rollins in this excellent book "The Damned Ref Flags of the Rebellion" The Confederate Flag at Gettysburg; he gets into the mindset of the soldiers who fought so fiercely to protect and preserve their battle flags. The author goes into the history of the soldiers and regiments that fought for these banners and willingly died to protect them. For the southern soldiers; it meant they were fighting for their homes; family; faith; and country. Though it has become a controversial topic about why the south fought which the author goes into about the issues of slavery and why many men from the south didn't own a slave; or in many circumstances didn't know anyone who did; they would still fight for their state and in the early to mid-1800's the state meant their country. These men from the south would fight along their brothers; cousins; uncles; fathers; and friends from their home; county; and state and honor was above all. These were gallant men and brave men who were fierce in battle; yet compassionate to help "enemy" wounded and dying. On the other spectrum; men from the North were just as fierce; loyal; and brave; and when they saw the "rebel flag" they knew that to them it meant that these men from the south; though fierce and brave must be stopped at all costs and must be defeated.At the Battle of Gettysburg both northern and southern men died fiercely; bravely; and savagely in many circumstances. The author of this fine book tells about the regiments from the South and their flags from Arkansas; Texas; South Carolina; North Carolina; Mississippi; Florida; Alabama; Louisiana; Tennessee; Georgia and Virginia these flags flew in the Pennsylvania sun and land and the men of the south knew if they would win this major battle; it might be the last of the war. From the actions of men such as Colonel Henry Burgwyn of the 26th North Carolina Infantry Regiment who would die delivering the regimental flag to another soldier; to the actions of Sergeant George Branard of the 1st Texas Infantry Regiment who planted the Lone Star Flag of Texas on top of a boulder at Devil's Den; Mr. Rollins tells the stories of the gallantry and bravery of the men and regiments of the Army of Northern Virginia. He also tells about the determination and bravery of the Union Soldiers who were just as determined to wrest from the hands of the color bearers the "damned flags of the rebellion". There was great emotion on both armies such as after Pickett's Charge; the soldiers from the Army of The Potomac would run out and try to capture these flags single handedly and in most cases were killed; but for the lucky few a captured ANV flag would give them fame and the Medal of Honor. In once circumstance a Union General took a captured flag and dragged it on the ground while riding in front of the cheering troops. Such emotion would long be remembered.The author has colored photos of the captured ANV Flags and where they reside today; (mostly at the Museum of the Confederacy; or in state archives). Also included is a chart of the captured flags and where they were captured during the battle or if they were never captured. Tactics; strategy; and history of the regiments fighting at Gettysburg is also included with the three days history of the fighting and an analysis of Pickett's Charge.Today; when one sees the flags of the Army of Northern Virginia it brings out emotions no matter what side of history you are on; whether a Southern man or woman has pride; fondness; and a sense of family history and heritage; or for a Northern man or woman who sees the ANV flag as a history of slavery and rebellion; that is up to the individuals. However; we all must admire the bravery; courage; and gallantry of the men who fought those first three days of July in 1863 and the flags they flew into battle. This is a highly recommended read for anyone who wants to know about the Battle of Gettysburg; also is recommended for anyone interested in the history of the Army of Northern Virginia; the Army of the Potomac; the eastern theatre of the Civil War and Civil War history. A recommended read that should be in every Civil War library.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. ... book and the pictures of the original flags are wonderful..By Ray LatawiecVery detailed book and the pictures of the original flags are wonderful...Anyone interested in the rebel flag must have this book.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Great book. Very informativeBy Steve BoultonGreat book for the Civil War collector. It tells just which CSA regiments lost their Battleflags at the Battle of Gettysburg and where on the field the flag was lost. I was told that my G-G Grandfathers regiment lost their flag at the stone wall during Picketts Charge. actually they lost it at the Emmittsburg Road. Their Brigade made it to the wall but in a oblique manor the right side of the brigade made it to the wall but my Grandfathers regiment was on the left and didnt make it to the wall. It was great to know that there is a source if this information without long hours searching through regimental and brigade reports. It really explains just how damn important the flags were to the soldiers of the Civil War. It was truly what the soldier lived and died for.