[VAcourier] Press Release seeking descendants of members of the 18th Virginia Infantry, ANV

[Virginia Division SCV Communication List]

Compatriots Greg Eanes and Virginia Division Genealogist Dexter Oliver 
have submitted the below press release concerning the restoration of the 
18th Virginia Infantry battle flag which was captured at Sailor's Creek. 
Descendants of members of the 18th Virginia Infantry are asked to 
contact Dexter Oliver if they wish to participate in this event. A firm 
date will be established once descendants have been identified.


John Sawyer, Commander
Virginia Division SCV

______________________________________________



*For Immediate Release: *1 Feb 2009

* *

*Confederate Descendants *

*Sought By Museum*

 

(Richmond)--Descendants of members of the 18^th Virginia Infantry, Army 
of Northern Virginia, are being sought by the Museum of the Confederacy 
to participate in an event marking the final restoration of the 
Regiment's battle flag, according to Dexter Oliver, a Nottoway County 
native spearheading the drive for the Museum. 

 

The flag was captured in the Union Cavalry's final charge at Sailor's 
Creek.  Sgt Ivers Calkins of the 2^nd New York Cavalry, is credited with 
the capture and earned a Medal of Honor.  The Regimental banner was 
returned to Virginia by the Federal government in 1905 as a 
demonstration of National reconciliation promoted by President Teddy 
Roosevelt whose family members had served on both sides of the 
conflict.  The Museum of the Confederacy has been engaged in an 
aggressive flag restoration program since 1993.

 

The 18^th Va consisted of ten companies of Southside Virginians to 
include Company A, the Danville Blues; Co B, the Danville Greys; Co C, 
the Nottoway Rifle Guards; Co D, the Prospect Rifle Guards (Prince 
Edward); Co E, the Black Eagle Rifles (Cumberland); Co F, the Farmville 
Guard; Co G, the Nottoway Greys; Co H, the Appomattox Greys; Co I, the 
Spring Garden Greys (Pittsylvania); and Co K, the Charlotte Rifles.

 

Organized in May, 1861, the unit fought at First Manassas 
<http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va005.htm>. A part of George 
Pickett's Brigade and later his Division, it participated in all the 
major campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia from Williamsburg 
<http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va010.htm> to Gettysburg 
<http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/pa002.htm> except when it was 
detached to Suffolk with Longstreet.

 

Later it served in North Carolina, returned to Virginia, and took an 
active part in the battles of Drewry's Bluff 
<http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va053.htm> and Cold Harbor 
<http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va062.htm>.  The 18th endured the 
hardships of the Petersburg 
<http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va089.htm> trenches and fought its 
last battle at Sailor's Creek where it was overwhelmed and captured by 
Sheridan's cavalry.  The handful that escaped capture was surrendered at 
Appomattox by Nottoway Rifle Guards 2Lt Charles H. Wilkinson.

 

Descendants of 18^th Virginia Infantry wanting to participate in the 
Museum of the Confederacy event should contact Dexter Oliver at 
804-745-9441 or by e-mail at vabn22 at aol.com <mailto:vabn22 at aol.com>.

 

- 30 -

 

 

 

*For more information*:  Dexter Oliver at 804-745-9441.


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