Confederate Battleflag

By John Sexton · Originally published August 2017 · p. 39

Reverse of 53rd Ga. Inf. battleflag showing souvenired star and battle damage rendering at Gainesville, Ala., with Nathan Bedford Forrest. In our conversations with your cousin and yourself, you noted the Bradley family was close knit. Two of Amos’ brothers are also buried in the same Corinth, Miss., cemetery. Both brothers also served in the Confederacy, like Amos enlisting in early war 1861-1862 and serving the entire By John Sexton conflict to 1865. Elexis Henry Bradley (1832-1893) also fought with local Miss. Cav. and would Confederate Battleflag not have been the recipient of this Dear Mr. Sexton: (another Amos Jackson Bradley) flag either, as different pattern Here is the history and family received news that A.J. was very flags were used in the west. info re flag of Amos Jackson ‘AJ’ sick so Amos went and took him The third brother, Asa WilBradley, born Dec. 3, 1842, in back to Corinth, Miss., to live liamson Bradley (1829-1916), no Zebulon, Ga. He and two broth- with him. In 1925 A.J. applied doubt was the original owner of ers (Asa Williamson Bradley and for Confederate pension. He was this flag and may have been its Elexis Henry ‘Lex’ Bradley) all there until his death on March 8, color bearer though he could not served Confederacy. It was said 1926. He and his brothers are bur- be found listed as a color bearer Amos was one of first to begin ied in City Cemetery in Corinth. among the 6 or 7 color bearers fighting in Gen. Nathan Bedford Ms. B listed in various rosters. A.W. Forrest’s 3rd Cav. Regt. from Bradley joined the 53rd Ga. Inf. Putnam County, Ga.; that he was Appraiser’s Reply: in May 1862 as a corporal in Co. a flag bearer, and that he someWhat a wonderful flag to have “H”, the Dixie Volunteers. He times worked with the horses… been retained in your family all served with distinction and was also that he was captured three these years. Your ancestor, Amos promoted in April 1863 to 3rd times during war. After the war, Jackson Bradley (1842-1926), Sergeant, about the time this parhe went back to Ga. for a while, who was thought to have carried ticular type of flag was used. later moved to ‘Little Will Valley’ the flag during the war, could The flag is an Army of Northern at Keener, Ala., where he had a not have done so as he was in Virginia (ANV), Second Bunting country store and a gin. He never the western theater fighting with Issue Battle Flag. Second Bunmarried. In 1924 his nephew a Miss. Cav. Regt., finally sur- tings have distinct orange colored borders (though a bit dirty now, the color is clearly seen), 5 inch wide blue crosses with 3 ½ inch stars and about 48 inches square as is your cherished example. This is the only surviving ANV battleflag of the 53rd Ga. Inf. There is a half section of a Magruder pattern flag of the Army of the Peninsula that was issued late in 1861. That flag is in a private collection. There is also an account of another 53rd battleflag being captured at Knoxville, Tenn., and then torn in half; the whereabouts of that flag are unknown. Your flag most likely was carried at the Battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg where the 53rd was a prominent part of Semmes Brigade Indeed, Gen. Inf. Field. The 53rd had heavy casualties, including losing Lt. Col. Hance and Capt. I.M.D. Bond killed. After Gettysburg, the regiment was transferred to the Western Theater but arrived too late for the Battle of Chickamauga. The 53rd took part in the siege of Chattanooga and the Knoxville

Detail of 3 ½ inch star and 5 inch blue cross.

campaign. The unit then returned to Virginia to take part in the Battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and the other Virginia battles culminating at Appomattox. Most men of the 53rd were captured at Saylor’s Creek, Va., and paroled. Asa W. Bradley was described on his oath of allegiance from Appomattox as having blue eyes, blond hair and 6’ 1” tall. I am sure in such a close-knit family as you describe that the last surviving brother, AJ, who outlived AW by 10 years EH by over 30 years must have inherited all the Confederate items you still maintain in your family. Your flag appears in average condition for most battle flags that saw use with some reductions and a souvenired star on one side. The colors still appear quite vivid and well-patinated showing that it has not been out in the sunlight a lot, which is desirable to collectors. Twenty years ago ANV flags typically sold for $150,000+. The record for a battleflag is the over $900,000 for the personal flag of JEB Stuart which sold in auction at the peak of the market. Political correctness and a declining interest in Civil War memorabilia overall reflects more current pricing. The most recent sales in the last few years included a magnificent battleflag used by Tucker’s Naval Brigade at Appomattox, which sold at James Julia Auctions in Oct. 2015 for $109,250. The ANV Battle Flag of the 9th Va. Cav. with fine provenance sold at Julia’s in March 2013 for $82,225. The last 2nd Bunting flag to be sold publicly was in March 2010. This flag was captured after the Battle of Gettysburg at Falling Waters and sold for $120,750. In that same March 2010 Julia Auction, a reduced battleflag from 51st N.C. Inf. sold for $39,100. I have little doubt that in today’s market your flag would sell in the same range as the last flags cited here. If you decided to donate it, I can recommend a good home that would conserve, display, and cherish your battleflag. The Atlanta History Center would love to have the battleflag of the 53rd, a heavily engaged Georgia unit at Gettysburg. John is an certified appraiser with International Society of Appraisers specializing in Civil War memorabilia. He authenticates and evaluates other rare and valuable historic items as well. His website is http://www.civilwardealer.com. He is coauthor of the book Confederate Bowie Knives (2012) by Jack Melton, Josh Phillips and John Sexton, that was published by Mowbray Publishing Inc. Send “Ask The Appraiser” questions and photographs to [email protected].

Amos Jackson Bradley’s grave is in same cemetery as A.W.’s and their brother, Elexis H. All served during the Civil War in Confederate units; all are now buried in the family cemetery in Corinth, Miss.

Grave of Asa W. Bradley, Co. H, Dixie Vols., 53rd Ga. Inf., raised in Pike County, Ga.. A.W. Bradley retained the battleflag of the 53rd which was unknown until now.