2nd Texas Flag and Rogers' Sword on Display

Texas Civil War Museum Display of 2nd Texas Flag and Col. Rogers' Sword

On October 4, 1862, Colonel William P. Rogers assembled his men before a formidable Union battery just outside Corinth, Mississippi.  Two previous assaults against Battery Robinett were unsuccessful.  To maintain his men’s momentum for a third assault, he grabbed his regiment’s battle flag, the flag of the 2^nd Texas Infantry Regiment.  With his other hand, he drew his sword.  Clark scaled the earthen parapet that concealed the cannons within.  The 2nd’s charge captured the battery but faltered before a powerful Union counterattack.  Seven bullets found their mark in Rogers’ upper chest.  His bullet ridden corpse was left behind.  Impressed with Rogers’ bravery, Union Major General Rosecrans had his body set aside for burial on the spot.  He stated, “Mark his grave well men, for he was the bravest man I ever saw.” Rogers’ grave would later be marked with a monument where it remains to this day.

Colonel Rogers' Sword

Evading capture, the flag was carried from the field and later accompanied the 2nd Texas into Vicksburg. It was smuggled out by Dr. Charles Owens before the Confederate surrender.   After the war, the revered flag was kept by 2^nd Texas Captain William Christian before it passed into private ownership.  For years, the flag remained folded and locked in a safe.

Under the direction of textile conservator Josh Phillips, the flag was meticulously conserved and placed in a glass case.  In 2016, the Texas Civil War Museum purchased the flag.  The 48” x 54” silk flag incorporates the “Texian” pattern which features a large lone star in the middle of the cross.  A portion is missing due to souvenir cutouts from the flag’s fly end.  The names of the 2^nd Texas’ two battles before Corinth (Shiloh and Farmington) appear on the flag’s red field.  The fabric is punctured with 20 or more bullet and artillery shell holes.  Adding further provenance, a written note from Captain Christian is glued to the flag.  It states:

“Our treasured battle-flag torn by shot and shell in battles of Shiloh, Farmington, Corinth, Hatchie-Bridge and Vicksburg.  Our gratitude to Owens for saving it from capture at Vicksburg.”

Noted Civil War flag expert Greg Biggs writes, “In my years of flag research, I can categorically state that no Texas unit flag has been more sought after than those for this unit, especially the flag used in their famous charge at the Battle of Corinth, Mississippi in early October, 1862.”

Bullet holes on 2nd Texas Flag

Now, both Rogers’ sword and the 2^nd Texas flag are on display to the public at the Texas Civil War Museum.  

2nd Texas dead near Battery Robinett.  The body of Col. Rogers is on the far left.