Rare Revolutionary War battle flags returning to U.S.

Daily Press Newport News ^ | December 21, 2007 | MARK ST. JOHN ERICKSON

[Pharmboy]

The regimental flag of the Continental Army 2nd Light Dragoons, also known as
Sheldon's Horse, was captured by British cavalry led by Banestre Tarleton in the 1779
Battle of Pound Ridge. (December 21, 2007)

WILLIAMSBURG - Four rare American battle flags captured by the British during the Revolutionary War will get their first extended public homecoming Saturday in a new exhibit at The Museums of Colonial Williamsburg.

Taken as trophies more than 225 years ago, the unusually well-preserved banners remained in the family of notorious British cavalry leader Banestre Tarleton until being sold at auction to a private owner last year.

They will be displayed alongside an evocative collection of Revolutionary War-era firearms and cavalry swords in an exhibit called "Captured Colors: Four Battleflags of the American Revolution."

[SunkenCiv]

:’)

[tarheelswamprat]

...The issue that roused him most was slavery. Tarleton was fervently for it. He argued that the economy of Liverpool would be ruined without it (his own family had made its fortune out of the slave trade) and maintained that, in any case, the slaves themselves were happy with their condition. “The common sense of the empire,” he claimed, “will strangle this modern attempt at mistaken philanthropy.”...

This aspect of his persona was portrayed extremely well in the recent movie "Amazing Grace" which was about William Wilberforce's role in the abolition of slavery in the British Empire. The actor who played Tarleton, Ciaran Hinds, did an outstanding job, just as he did in his role as Julius Caesar in the HBO/BBC television series "Rome".

[fella]

The story of the philosophy and actions that lead up to and through our revolution and the establishment of our nation on a firm footing is one that has been obscured and ignored by our education system and our media. Every once in a great while the light shines trough such as the A&E TV movie “The Crossing”. Our children are purposefully being dumbed down into easy to handle chattle instead of being molded into free thinking individuals.

[Natural Law]

While I was attending some training at Ft. Monmouth, NJ in the early 70’s one of our training officers was a NATO exchange officer. One day he boasted to us that his regiment still had the American battle flag that had flown over Bunker Hill. One hard charging infantry officer in our class from Boston was quick to point out that we still had the hill.

[Godebert]

My g-g-g-g-grandfather was killed by Tarleton's dragoons at the battle of Monck's Corner, South Carolina in 1780. Tarleton and Ferguson completely suprised Huger and Washington who barely managed to escape into the swamps.

Battle of Monck's Corner

[SunkenCiv]

I LOVE that show; Hinds’ portrayal of Caesar may be the best by anyone, ever.

[PzLdr]

In the movie, Gibson’s the one who sells Green on using the militia in the climatic battle. That was Green at Guilford Court House. He then goes around to the militia guys and talks to them the night before the battle, telling them what he wants. That’s Morgan. The battle itself, in the movie, is a variant of the Cowpens [the militia retreat draws an attack by the Brits, who then come under fire from regulars, and get hit again by the militia], and Guilford Court House [Cornwallis fires into his own men].

[Professional Engineer]

Dead Old Guys ping

[EternalVigilance]

he boasted to us that his regiment still had the American battle flag that had flown over Bunker Hill. One hard charging infantry officer in our class from Boston was quick to point out that we still had the hill.

Perfect!

[EternalVigilance]

Too bad that the Brits have turned over their colors to Brussels without so much as a fight.

[Pharmboy]

Yep...you nailed it.

[VOA]

Tarleton the Butcher died of old age in his bed.

What a shame!

My "secular" soul agrees with you!

And my (sadly) less-than-observant soul thinks about the phrase
"G-d sends the rain upon the just and the unjust".

And entertains the possibility that Tarleton's ultimate disposition
is at the pleasure of "a higher authority".

[VOA]

I would encourage you folks to click through to the article.

I agree heartily with your suggestion.
And post below another REALLY important passage for the posters/lurkers
that are TIME- and HOLIDAY-Pressured but need this factoid
for future reference (Especially for those making vacation plans
through Jan 9, 2009!!!

"Captured Colors" runs through Jan. 9, 2009 at
The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum.
(snip)
For more information, call 757-220-7984 or log onto www.history.com.

[Rb ver. 2.0]

Guilford County, NC, the home of the battle of Guilford Courthouse has many roads and streets named after participants in the battle. Tarleton’s name was noticeably absent for over 200 years until about 20 years ago when some out of town developer put in a subdivision and named one of the roads, Tarleton Way.

[NonValueAdded]

I guess you’d know if I lived in the area because that street would be missing a street sign no matter how often they replaced it. That would be NVA’s Way. No one has petitioned the town fathers to undo that obscenity?

[NonValueAdded]

Ditto Pharmboy’s huzzah for that quick thinking army officer.

[Natural Law]

That’s probably why we still have the hill!

[Pharmboy]

Please accept this Freeper's sincere thanks for your ancestor's service and ultimate sacrifice. Without people like him we would not enjoy the liberty we have today.

Merry Christmas to you and yours and may the new year be great for you.

PB

[PzLdr]

The death scene alone. He did it all with his eyes.

[SunkenCiv]

For Xmas, I got the 2nd season box. Watched it all already. :’)