CSA Color Bearer, James Hunt Taylor, Roll Book for Richland Volunteer Rifle Co., 1st South Carolina Infantry 

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Jun 13, 2014 - Jun 14, 2014

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• Lot Description
  1 vol., January-April, 1861.
  
  As soon as South Carolina declared its secession from the Union in December 1860, young men from all across the state volunteered in droves for military service. Among the very first regiments formed was the 1st SC Volunteers, which were constituted by order of Gov. Francis W. Pickens for six months service beginning in January 1861, with the inaugural company (by letter, at least), Co. A, being raised in Richland County, near the state college at Columbia.
  
  Among the youngest volunteers was James Hunt Taylor, the 15 year-old son of a politically and socially prominent family from Columbia. As a non-commissioned officer in the Richland Rifles, Taylor and his comrades started their service at the first epicenter of the war, Charleston, serving on Sullivan's Island and Morris Island before being sent north to Richmond in April during their six month's under arms. The regiment was reenlisted later that summer and returned to the field with Taylor as Color Bearer. He died a hero at the Battle of Gaines Mills, being shot three times while carrying his regiment's flag during a charge. Five of six men who carried the flag for the 1st South Carolina that day were left dead on the field. Taylor's courage, combined with his youth, brought him a measure of posthumous fame, and his sad story has made its way into several narratives of the war.
  
  The roll book for the Richland Volunteer Rifles kept by Sgt. Taylor contains a thorough record of the commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates in the Richland Rifles at their point of origin. With some care, Taylor also recorded his regiment's encampments and stations during the earliest months of the conflict, beginning with their organization at Columbia, SC, in January 1861 through their time in Richmond in late April. Most importantly, the book includes a hard to come-by inventory of the company's expeditions, maneuvers, and minor engagements. The book ends with some minor personal accounts and a quote that seems all too prescient: Who would not die in his country's cause / Since of base fear his dastard step withdraws / from death he cannot fly, one common grave / receives, at last, the coward and the brave.
  
  Finally, the book includes a copy of a commendation for Taylor written by his commanding officer, 1862: I leave earnestly and respectfully to recommend James H. Taylor for a Lieutenant's in the force about to be raised. He entered the service in the 1st Regt. S.C.V. Last year very young, performed exemplary duties as a soldier in an exemplary manner, was made a non-commissioned officer and after the reorganization of the Regt. In Va. From his soldierly bearing and good conduct, I selected him as first Color Sergt. of the Regt. I think he well merits promotion and hope he may obtain it... Maxcy Gregg.
  
  An exceptionally scarce relic of one of the first Confederate volunteer regiments from the first state to secede, and associated with a noted heroic figure for the lost cause. 

  Condition

  A typical pocket diary of the period, with expected wear and age toning.
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