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most important Confederate Texas battle flag known to exist anywhere. This extraordinary and beautiful battle flag belonged to the 7th Texas Infantry


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The 7th TeThe 7th Texas flag shows three styles of battle honors. One artist did the unit designation (on both sides) and the “Fort Donelson” battle honor. Another did “Ramond” (sic) and “Chickamauga”. Still another painted the cross cannon honors, awarded to the regiment for capturing Federal guns at Chickamauga where Gregg’s Brigade shattered he Federal center. The honors for “Tunnel Hill” and “Ringgold Gap” are the most interesting however. Done in white paint they are the same style of honors painted on Hardee/Cleburne battle flag of the 17th & 18th Texas Cavalry (Dismounted) that was captured in the Battle of Atlanta in July 1864. This suggests that the same artist painted the honors on these two flags. Other flags of Cleburne’s Division were decorated by different artists in different styles.



The flag is truly exemplary but the history of the flag itself is also exemplary. There was only one other flag like this made and known to exist, the other one however does not have the rare and fabulous battle honors found on the flag of the 7th. The second flag was the flag of the 50th Tennessee, which now resides in the State Museum of Tennessee. The 50th Tennessee flag however only exists in fragments and as stated earlier, has no battle honors. The 7th Texas flag is truly distinguished in both graphic design, condition, and replete with these extraordinary battle honors. The flag was originally acquired by the regiment sometime prior to May 10th, 1863 and Major K.M. Van Zandt of the 7th Texas in a letter to his wife described the acquisition of the flag that they acquired before the Vicksburg and Chickamauga campaigns, which the 7th Texas was very much involved in.


The flag was lost to Union Forces on November 30th, 1864 in a horrific battle. At the time, the flag was carried by Ira B. Saddler of Company A, 7th Texas Infantry, CSA. Saddler was appointed First Lieutenant and Ensign of the Regiment by Secretary of War on March 13th, 1864. He was recommended by Captain Collet, who was commanding the 7th Texas on April 7th, 1864 and was referenced by Captain Collet as “having engaged in many battles and always distinguished himself with coolness and bravery”. This recommendation was forwarded by Brigadier General Granbury, also in which he said, “He is intelligent. Brave, and entirely devoted to the cause.” All of this was forwarded to General P.R. Cleburne, Lieutenant General Hardee, and General J.E. Johnston. Saddler was twice wounded while carrying the flag. He carried the flag with honor for 7 months. In Atlanta, during a fierce battle, he was wounded in the thumb and eventually lost his thumb. After recuperating, later on November 30th, 1864, he was severely wounded and at that time, the flag was captured. The flag has various blood stains on it, some of which are likely from Saddler’s wound.


Saddler did not live long after the war but distinguished himself both during the war and after. In 1870, he was in the Waco, Texas census and was elected to the Texas House of Representations of the 14th Legislative Session in 1874-1875 representing the 19th District (which included Coryell, McLennan, Brown, Bosque, Hamilton, Coleman, Reynolds, and Comanche counties). By 1880, he resided in Brownwood with his wife, Rebecca, and their children, Lila, Edgar, and Delta, where he was practicing law. Saddler, who was born June 20th, 1844, finally died in January of 1881 before he reached his 40th birthday.


Done in white paint they are the same style of honors painted on Hardee/Cleburne battle flag of the 17th & 18th Texas Cavalry (Dismounted) that was captured in the Battle of Atlanta in July 1864. This suggests that the same artist painted the honors on these two flags. Other flags of Cleburne’s Division were decorated by different artists in different styles.

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  • 3 months later...

You could buy a decent house in most parts of the country for that amount.

 

A lot to pay for a wall hanger.

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iron bender

That is amazing history and deserves to be displayed in a museum in Texas. Too bad that can't happen anymore. It'll probably be safer in a private collection anyhow. 

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ponyradish

Beautiful Flag, I agree with Iron Bender. It is probably safer in a private home rather than a museum. I have a bad feeling that the museums holding some very important Confederate relics could be in danger with whats going on in the cities today. Pony.

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Marktk36thIL

Could always consider the sad state of affairs for Dr. Murphy's legacy. Accumulated a world renowned Confederate arms collection, builds a wing of a museum to house it all, then they put everything in storage for the foreseeable future. 

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