Saturday, February 09, 2013

Names of Flagman, Civil War.

Flagman Alonzo H. Hurd, Company H, First Minnesota Volunteers. 

Flagman Edward G. Redner, Thirty-fourth New York Volunteers.

Flagmen Oliver S. Temple, Forty-third New York Volunteers.

Flagman S. W. Shirley, Sixteenth Indiana Volunteers.

Flagman Peter Spargo, First Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteers.
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First Lieutenant William S. Gogswell, Company I, fifth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, and First Lieutenant Henry S. Taff, Company H, Fifteenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, acting signal officers, having carried their flags in action at Port Royal Feerry, S. C., and in a manner to receive the official approbation and mention of the military and naval officers under whom they were serving, will hereafter bear upon their battle-flags a star having inscribed "Port Royal Ferry" in place of the block now borne. The name of the non-commissioned officer or private who acted as flagman during the action for which any flag is decorated will be reported to the Chief Signal Officer with a statement of the circumstances, in order that the name of the flagman may be laid before the commander in chief on the list of those who have rendered meritorious service.
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I desire to call especial attention to the coolness and efficiency of Private George H. Walker,signal flagman. For some months I have known of Walker's capacity to read. Ho obtained the code over a year ago through the negligence and carelessness of an officer instructed at Annapolis. For a long time I promised the severest punishment to my men if caught attempting to read or to obtain any portion of the code, but finding that officers senior to myself not only tolerated but encouraged their men to do so, I spoke of it, and was informed that the matter was well know to Major Myer. Since being at Yorktown, therefore, I have allowed Walker to read, and have been astonished at his intelligence, superior to that of some officers I have worked with Lieutenant Benson and myself abbreviated all ordinary messages to at least one-fourth their length if sent in full; but Walker seldom has trouble to read them. In directing the fire of the Morris on the 1st instant I at first partially spelled out the messages, using only the more suggestive abbreviations, such as eny, enemy; apch, approach, &c. But desiring to work more quickly I used the abbreviations fll, ef, of of, ect, and was somewhat astonished at Walker's receiving them all instantly and correctly without once calling for a "report." He has never heretofore received the official abbreviations from me, but I have now given them to him, as I deem myself justified in doing, as I am liable to any time to have occasion to use them with him.
I desire to recommend Private Walker for promotion. I intended to have recommended him for appointment as sergeant under the new organization of the Signal Corps, and now I consider that he has doubly earned his chevrons. Walker has been with me since June 25, 1862, and I have has ample opportunity of knowing his capacity.
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Flagman Charles A. Griffin
Flagman James H. Smith.
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flagman, First-Class Private Joseph A. Sedam, Signal Corps, U. S. Army.
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 flagman, Private Warren W. Palmer, stood at his post like a true and tried soldier, for which he deserves great credit.
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Flagman Private Ezra M. Chaffee, Sixth Michigan Cavalry, Company F
Note. was to be promoted to falgman.
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 flagman Private J. W. Brown.
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flagman, Timothy S. Marsh, Company D, Twenty-first Massachusetts Volunteers.
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