The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Workers Find 151-Year-Old Flag in Basement-- Part 2

On the thick wooden frame around the flag was the inscription, "Under this flag at Clinton, Louisiana, on June 3, 1863, Solon Perkins was killed."

Much is known about Solon Perkins because he came from a wealthy family.  He was born in Lancaster, New Hampshire in 1836.  He worked in international business and was fluent in French and Spanish and enlisted at age 27.

The flag has been mentioned as a possible sash Perkins was wearing when he was killed and was probably donated to the auditorium in 1929 by Mary sawyer Knapp who was known to have a large Civil War collection. It is known to have been displayed, but likely was removed during a renovation project, placed behind a piano and forgotten.

There are several names, thought to be battles etched into the frame: Yellow Bayou, Fisher's Hill and Georgia Landing.

--Old Secesh

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