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 2nd 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
2nd Texas Captain William Christian before it passed into private
ownership. 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.”
Bullet holes on 2nd Texas Flag
2nd Texas dead near Battery Robinett. The body of Col. Rogers is on the far left.
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