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Compatriots Greg Eanes and Virginia Division Genealogist Dexter Oliver
have submitted the below press release concerning the restoration of
the 18th Virginia Infantry battle flag which was captured at Sailor's
Creek. Descendants of members of the 18th Virginia Infantry are asked
to contact Dexter Oliver if they wish to participate in this event. A
firm date will be established once descendants have been identified. <br>
<br>
<br>
John Sawyer, Commander<br>
Virginia Division SCV<br>
<br>
______________________________________________<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b style="">For Immediate Release: </b>1 Feb 2009
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal"><b style=""> </b></p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal"><b style=""><span
style="font-size: 26pt;">Confederate Descendants </span></b></p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal"><b style=""><span
style="font-size: 26pt;">Sought By Museum</span></b></p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal">(Richmond)--Descendants
of members of the 18<sup>th</sup> Virginia Infantry, Army of Northern
Virginia,
are being sought by the Museum of the Confederacy to participate in an
event
marking the final restoration of the Regiment’s battle flag, according
to Dexter
Oliver, a Nottoway County native
spearheading the drive for the Museum.<span style=""> </span></p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal">The flag was captured in the Union
Cavalry's final charge at Sailor’s Creek. Sgt Ivers Calkins of the 2<sup>nd</sup>
New York
Cavalry, is credited with the capture and earned a Medal of Honor.<span
style=""> </span>The Regimental banner was returned to Virginia
by the Federal government in 1905 as a demonstration of National
reconciliation
promoted by President Teddy Roosevelt whose family members had served
on both
sides of the conflict.<span style=""> </span>The Museum of the
Confederacy has been engaged in an aggressive flag restoration program
since 1993.</p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal">The 18<sup>th</sup> Va consisted of
ten companies of
Southside Virginians to include Company A, the Danville Blues; Co B,
the
Danville Greys; Co C, the Nottoway Rifle Guards; Co D, the Prospect
Rifle
Guards (Prince Edward); Co E, the Black Eagle Rifles (Cumberland); Co
F, the
Farmville Guard; Co G, the Nottoway Greys; Co H, the Appomattox Greys;
Co I,
the Spring Garden Greys (Pittsylvania); and Co K, the Charlotte Rifles.</p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal">Organized in May, 1861, the unit
fought at <a href="http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va005.htm"><span
style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">First Manassas</span></a>.
A part of
George Pickett’s Brigade and later his Division, it participated in all
the major
campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia from <a
href="http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va010.htm"><span
style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">Williamsburg</span></a>
to <a href="http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/pa002.htm"><span
style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">Gettysburg</span></a>
except when it
was detached to Suffolk
with Longstreet.</p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal">Later it served in North Carolina,
returned to Virginia, and took an active part
in the battles of <a
href="http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va053.htm"><span
style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">Drewry's
Bluff</span></a> and <a
href="http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va062.htm"><span
style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">Cold Harbor</span></a>.<span
style=""> </span>The 18th endured the hardships of the <a
href="http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va089.htm"><span
style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">Petersburg</span></a>
trenches and
fought its last battle at Sailor’s Creek where it was overwhelmed and
captured
by Sheridan’s
cavalry.<span style=""> </span>The handful that escaped
capture was surrendered at Appomattox
by Nottoway Rifle Guards 2Lt Charles H. Wilkinson.</p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal">Descendants of 18<sup>th</sup>
Virginia Infantry wanting to
participate in the Museum of the Confederacy event should contact
Dexter
Oliver at 804-745-9441 or by e-mail at <a href="mailto:vabn22@aol.com">vabn22@aol.com</a>.
</p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal"
style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: center;" align="center">- 30
-</p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"
align="center"> </p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"
align="center"> </p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"
align="center"> </p>
<p class="EC_EC_EC_EC_MsoNormal"><b style="">For more information</b>:<span
style=""> </span>Dexter Oliver at 804-745-9441.</p>
<br>
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