Existing Flags
This photo of the 51st North Carolina’s flag was taken by Edgar M. Malpass (descendant of Sergeant Hanson Malpass, Company A) when it was on display at the Bennett Place State Historical Site. The flag is currently stored (not exhibited) at the North Carolina Museum of History. It was carried by the regiment when the unit surrendered on May 1, 1865, and it was saved by Second Lieutenant Augustus McKethan (Company B).
A second flag, purported to be the Fifty-First’s colors that were lost at Fort Harrison, was sold at auction in 2010. Noted flag historian Greg Biggs was commissioned to provide a provenance for the flag. Unfortunately, Mr. Biggs determined, “it will not be possible to conclude what North Carolina regiment of McKethan’s Brigade carried this flag at Chaffin’s Farm [Fort Harrison].” That flag is currently in a private collection.
The above photo was taken at a Confederate veterans’ reunion at 71st Township near Fayetteville on September 5, 1903. The two men are posing with the Fifty-First’s battle flag. John W. Atkinson is holding the flag.
Flag Details
The Regiment’s Known Flags
February 16, 1863: flag issued to Captain Henry C. Rockwell, the 51st North Carolina’s Assistant Quartermaster
April 20, 1863: the regiment received a new battle flag from General Beauregard after a grand review on James Island.
September 29, 1863: request by Colonel McKethan for a flag to replace the one torn in four pieces by a shell at Battery Wagner
October 28, 1864: fulfillment of requisition from Captain Lippitt, commanding the regiment, for a flag to replace the one lost at Fort Harrison. This is the flag that exists today.
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