The Cornelius Attwood "Star-Spangled Banner" Fragments-- Part 1

From Just Collecting  R.R. Auction   Lot 423  Star-Spangled Banner.

A nice picture of the fragments accompany the article.  "Spectacular and well-documented pair of fragments..  They come from the family of General Cornelius Gilbert Attwood, 25th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry."

The remnants consist of a white swatch 2 X 3.25 inches and a red swatch 1.5 X 1.25 inches.  Originally they were separate but sewn together as part of a flag relic display.  Additional swatches, one of red and white and the other of blue with white fringe are from the flags of the 25th Massachusetts.

--Old Secesh

Cornelius G. Attwood's Death-- Part 2: Death Came Suddenly

Springfield Republican
Springfield, Massachusetts
January 28, 1888

THE DEATH OF COL. Cornelius C. Attwood, which came suddenly yesterday morning at his home in West Roxbury, will bring sorrow to many circles in the commonwealth, for Col. Attwood's business, military and social connections were widely extended, and his was an attractive and striking personality.

Col. Attwood's earliest public service was in the war of the rebellion.  As a young man of 25, he enlisted in the first call for the three months' men, a second lieutenant in the 3rd battalion of rifles organized in Worcester County.

Hardly had he been mustered out of service when the years' call came, and he went to work to raise a company of which he was made a captain and which was assigned to the 25th regiment.

--Old Secesh

General Cornelius Attwood's Death-- Part 1

From Find-A-Grave.

From the January 24, 1888, Worcester Daily Spy.

General Attwood's Funeral

Veterans Follow An Honored Comrade to the Grave

The funeral of Gen. Cornelius G. Attwood took place yesterday, geld at his late residence West Roxbury.

There was a large attendance of military and personal friends of the deceased, the Loyal Legion, Edward W, Kinsley Post 113, G.A.R., the Tigers and the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment Association being represented by about 158 comrades....

The remains were then conveyed to Mt. Benedict cemetery.

--Old Secesh

General Cornelius Attwood-- Part 5: Post-War

Major Attwood and the 25th Massachusetts were mustered out October 20, 1864 and later he was brevetted to lieutenant colonel and soon thereafter to brigadier general.

After the war, he was appointed Deputy Collector for the Port of Boston and later was the Secretary of the Board of Trade.  In 1876 he was appointed Inspector General of Massachusetts where he was principally in charge of the state militia.

He held numerous DAR offices  including Post Commander, National Quartermaster and National Adjutant General.

He died January 19, 1888.

--Old Secesh

General Cornelius Attwood-- Part 4: The 25th Massachusetts

Attwood's 25th Massachusetts was in more than 25 battles and skirmishes.  Besides Roanoke Island, some of them were New Bern, N.C., Goldsboro, N.C., Drewry's Bluff, and Cold Harbor where Major Attwood was wounded and Petersburg.

Out if the 300 men mustering in for the assault at Cold Harbor, the regiment had 24 killed, including 6 officers and 142 wounded and 49 missing.

--Old Secesh

General Cornelius Attwood-- Part 2: With the 25th Massachusetts

On September 1861, along with some other officers, Cornelius Attwood  raised the 25th Massachusetts and he received a commission as captain of Company C.  The 25th was attached to Burnside's Coast Defense Division, 1st Brigade.  This brigade was commanded by General John G. Foster, a hero of Fort Sumter.

In the assault on Roanoke Island, North Carolina, February 7, 1862, Captain Attwood was the second man to land and the first to raise the Stars and Stripes.  On the next day, the 25th Massachusetts opened the fight and had high casualties.

The unit received the thanks of superior officers for their fighting at Roanoke Island.   The 25th then became a part of the famed Heckman's Star Brigade.

Cornelius Attwood was promoted to major October 29, 1862.

--Old Secesh