Lesson 1
Lesson 1:
Significance of Flags We all know the game “Capture the Flag” but did you know that the game is a real reflection of the vital importance that flags once held in combat? In the past, capturing the flag of the enemy was the same as capturing an entire unit. To save the flag of your unit was to save your entire unit from defeat. As long as your flag waved, there was still hope. During the Civil War, there were 1,520 Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers. Of those, 326 were awarded to soldiers for capturing the enemy flag and 138 were awarded for actions involving the saving or planting of the Union flag. This famous image from the Granger Collection illustrates the close combat used during the Civil War. You can see the importance of the flags as they lead the way for both sides. A “color detail” was typically assigned to each unit with the single purpose of insuring the safety of the flag; great sacrifice was often made to assure this happened.
Continued learning:
Research the story of Arthur MacArthur, Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient from the Civil War. In what way did Arthur’s actions impact the outcome of the battle? In what way did that battle impact the outcome of the war? Do you feel his actions were worthy of a Medal of Honor? This lesson is part of the free Newspapers in Education program “Serving America, Honoring Oklahoma”. Contact Jamie Jenkins at [email protected] for more information. Newspapers for this educational program provided by:
Significance of Flags We all know the game “Capture the Flag” but did you know that the game is a real reflection of the vital importance that flags once held in combat? In the past, capturing the flag of the enemy was the same as capturing an entire unit. To save the flag of your unit was to save your entire unit from defeat. As long as your flag waved, there was still hope. During the Civil War, there were 1,520 Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers. Of those, 326 were awarded to soldiers for capturing the enemy flag and 138 were awarded for actions involving the saving or planting of the Union flag. This famous image from the Granger Collection illustrates the close combat used during the Civil War. You can see the importance of the flags as they lead the way for both sides. A “color detail” was typically assigned to each unit with the single purpose of insuring the safety of the flag; great sacrifice was often made to assure this happened.
Continued learning:
Research the story of Arthur MacArthur, Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient from the Civil War. In what way did Arthur’s actions impact the outcome of the battle? In what way did that battle impact the outcome of the war? Do you feel his actions were worthy of a Medal of Honor? This lesson is part of the free Newspapers in Education program “Serving America, Honoring Oklahoma”. Contact Jamie Jenkins at [email protected] for more information. Newspapers for this educational program provided by:
