The 1st US Cavalry is credited with capturing a "Virginia Cavalry Standard" "A.G.O. 1862" "In Red Letters". But in reality, Private John Thompson (3rd US "C") captured the enemy standard. According to Captain. Horatio. G. Gibson (Commander of 3rd US "C" Battery) He stated in his After-Battle report (OR 11, Page 432) That Private John Thompson was "Compelled to give it up." Captain Gibson was "Indebted to Captain B.F. Davis and his squadron of the First Cavalry, for their support and assistance under sever fire." Now Captain Davis had around "Sixty Men" with him. Thus, Captain Davis certainly took the guidon and claimed credit for it.

But a second thought, the First US Cavalry described the Cavalry standard with the "Virginia Coat of Arms" on it. But who did Private John Thompson "Give the flag up to?" Certainly not to Captain Gibson his battery commander. Maybe on the other side of the flag was the "Virginia Coat of Arms"??

Colonel Henry J. Hunt the AOP's Artillery Reserve commander wrote that Private Thompson captured a Confederate Cavalry guidon (OR 11, Page 430) LT.Col William N. Grier,(Commander of the First US. Cavalry) wrote in his after-battle report. "Captain Davis's squadron (60 Men) charged and captured a "Regimental Standard" with the "Coat of Virginia Arms. May 4th, 1862. "Advance guard near Williamsburg."

My source that Colonel Goode's Third Virginia Cavalry Regiment captured a Cavalry guidon is found in OR. 11, Page 444. BG Jeb Stuart wrote "Col Goode and 100 men captured the enemy's flag and withdrew."

According to the Fourth Virginia Cavalry's Regimental history, researched and written by Kenneth L. Stiles. Page 10 stated "May 4th, 1862, Fort Magruder, "Union captured an outer redoubt", Forth VA Cav charged, scattered a Union Infantry regiment, captured a union battery, lost Regimental Flag, Colonel Wickham (w).

My source that the Eighth Illinois Cavalry Regiment lost a guidon to Col Goode's Third Virginia Cavaly. "Lee's Cavalrymen" by Edward G. Longacre. Page 75. "May 4th, 1862".

Have a good morning,

Shawn Prouty

I agree with Gregg's statement that the 5th North Carolina's flag was not captured by LT. Custer. It is true that LT. Custer was handed that flag and "Maybe" he claimed to have captured it on the long ride back to headquarters.