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by John Sexton
Q: Mr. Sexton, good morning – JS: Your flags do appear to be Reunion Era, consistent with
I came across your great website today and was wondering if your family history. Reunion Era flags generally sell for
you could help me learn a little more about these flags and if they several hundred to several thousand dollars. Poulin
are of much value. The two flags have been passed down in my Auctions had a May sale of a nice
family since the Civil War. Unfortunately, by the time I got group of Reunion Era flags
them, the previous owners had passed away and taken most of deaccessioned from the UDC
the oral history with them. museum in Charleston, South
From my understanding, these flags were made by an ances- The owner’s second Carolina. Most of them fell in
tor of mine who headed a Daughters of the Confederacy chapter. Reunion Era flag. that price range.
One or both hung in a courthouse during and/or after the war.
From my limited research, it seems the battle flag likely didn’t A Reunion Era flag—these are usually
actually see any battle, but I’m not sure. Thanks for looking. valued at “…several hundred to
several thousand dollars.”

Q: I recently inherited a small Bible that is from an ancestor who was a prisoner JS: That is an interesting presentation in your Civil War pocket Bible.
of war as a Union soldier that was captured at the Battle of Williamsport, Your ancestor Corporal John Purviance Culbertson, Co. B, 158th PA
Hagerstown, Md., July 7, 1863. I have attached a photo of a handwritten Infantry signed up to fight for nine months on November 4, 1862. He was
inscription inside the Bible and my deciphering of the handwriting. captured just a few days after Gettysburg during Robert E. Lee’s retreat.
Can you give me any idea where I can find more information about what What makes your Bible so interesting is that it was given to Corporal
happened to John Culbertson or as to the Culbertson while a prisoner of war at Castle Thunder in Richmond,
rarity or value of this document? Anything Virginia, by a local minister J. T. Carpenter who was the post chaplain.
you can add will be greatly appreciated. According to Christ in the Camp by J. Wm. Jones (1887), he converted 131
Thank you prisoners to Jesus Christ during the war.
Reverand Carpenter also awarded a Bible (now at the Smithsonian) to
the only woman surgeon during the Civil War, Dr. Mary Walker; also the
only woman to ever receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.
The partial sheet of Confederate-made “brown paper” has an imprint
from a Confederate Bible society. Based on the binding, your Bible appears
to be American published; it would be more valuable if it had a
Confederate imprint.
This is a family heirloom and not for sale. If I was asked to evaluate this
for insurance replacement value, I would value it at $500. Bibles and
manuals of the Civil War are not rare and generally don’t sell very well
Cpl. Culbertson’s inscription of his unless they have an inscription with history like this one. A Civil War Era
name and place of capture. Cpl. Culbertson’s Bible that he pocket Bible with no inscription can be found for less than $50.
received as a POW, $500.

Q: In my bandana collection, I have this amazing bandana. It dates Your example is a rare survivor, Battle Cry of Freedom:
somewhere in the early/mid-1860s, judging by the number of stars on the but that does not translate into George Root’s autograph with annotated first line
shields and the date this song came out. It is a Civil War-related item, and I a lot of money. I can only find
am very much looking for any info I can find on this item. I purchased it at one sold of this variety, and
an online estate sale. it was sold by Stair auctions
Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. I have had a terribly difficult in 2011 for $300 within a
time finding anything out about this item. lot of three
that includes
JS: George Frederick Root (1820-1895) wrote numerous popular martial two kerchiefs
songs during the Civil War, including; Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!, Just before printed with
the Battle, and Mother, and The First Gun is Fired. His best-known work, children’s sto-
Battle Cry of Freedom, was composed in 1862. ries. A single Textiles printed with the song,
Printed textiles such as your kerchief were produced from the late-18th story example The Battle Cry of Freedom,
century well into the 20th century. Larger examples were known as typically sells $220-$400.
“bandanas,” usually 20 inches or larger. Many varieties exist; political and at a general
military-themed examples have the highest values, especially from presi- auction for about $50-$100 today.
dential elections with portraits of candidates and early politically-themed Your Civil War Battle Cry of Freedom
examples from Colonial America. Though produced in large quantity, appears good overall and should have
survival is small. retail value at a Civil War trade show or dealer site $200-$400.

John Sexton is an independent appraiser and expert of Civil War memorabilia. He is an accredited member of various appraiser
organizations. He can be contacted at 770-329-4984. If you have a Civil War item for him to appraise, email a photo and a
description to mclwriter@gmail.com.

48 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles