11th Illinois Soldier Sends Home A Piece of the Confederate Secession Flag – With Original Letter Describing Its Capture & Being Trampled On by the US Colonel
The original letter measures 5 x 8 inches and is written in pencil. Attached by a pin at the top is a 1 x 4 inch red and white piece of the flag. While the pencil is a bit light, the museum or collector who had this on display has made a copy of the letter done in nice dark brown ink. On the back of the copy is the name “G. R. Vanhorne, Rockford, Ill.” and the date, “190…” showing that the copy was made before 1910. Vanhorne was the Director of the Memorial Museum in Rockford! Together, they make an easily read, wonderful display. Here is what the letter says:
Camp Hardin
May 2nd, 61
Dear Father,
Enclosed find a small piece of a real secession flag It was torn down from a boat by our boys. It is a real flag. When it was brought into camp we took it to the Colonel’s headquarters. He made a short speech and trampled it in the dirt. The whole regiment tore it in shreds. This is all. We are well, write soon.
Chris E. Cotton
Company A 11th Ill. has the honor of tearing down the first secession flag.
Our writer Christian E. Cotton was a resident of Grundy County, IL. and joined the 11th Illinois when it was a 100-day regiment in April of 1861. The regiment was re-mustered in July od 1861 and Cotton served as a musician and eventually Principal Musician. He was discharged on November 21st, 1863.
Records show that the 11th Illinois was first stationed at Villa Ridge, Illinois and then moved to Bird’s Point, MO. Our letter is headed, “Camp Hardin” and this was the Civil War training camp at Villa Ridge.
What we have is perhaps one of the earliest accounts of the capture of Confederate colors, and a true museum quality relic for display.
#L5-2-61IL – Price $2,395
