This single bag knapsack is in wonderful condition. The item is made of a painted canvas material that is still strong and supple. There is some light surface wear along the edges but other than that it is in museum quality condition. Still attached to the front are two different suspender buckles and the original closure straps. The straps are painted like the bag but the backside displays a nice floral bed-ticking material. The straps apparently went all the way around the bag and then anchored at the two buckles. About a quarter of each strap remains.

The outer flap is one piece with the rest of the bag and covers three-quarters of the front. The bottom edge of the flap is cut in a squared-off tapered pattern.

Closed the pack meas. approx. 16.00 inches across the bottom by 14.00 inches tall. When the outer flap is lifted the actual bag meas. approx. 16.00 x 13.00 inches.

Painted on the outside flap in white paint is “A CO. 25 REG. S.C.” These letters are approx. 1.50 inches high.

With the item is a label that reads “ON LOAN, FOR DISPLAY, TO MCLEAN TOWN HALL FROM CAPT. J. CHURCH HATCH OF CO.C 76^TH REGT. WHO ON AUG. 19, 1864 CAPTURED A STAND OF COLORS AND A CANVAS BAG FROM THE ENEMY. HE DISPLAYED GREAT BRAVERY IN THE ACT OF CROSSING THE REBEL WORKS AT THE BATTLE OF WELDON RAILROAD.”  The label looks to be from the 1890’s or early 1900’s.  Captain Church is credited with capturing the colors of the 25^th South Carolina in the Official Records and the 76^th New York regimental history.

Captain J. Church Hatch was born in Groton, Tompkins County, New York. His Grandfather served in the American Revolution, three Uncles served in the War of 1812 and he lost a brother in a Confederate Prison camp in 1862.

Hatch enlisted as a Private in Company C, 76^th New York on October 12, 1861 but was appointed Sergeant that same month. He rose to be a 2^nd Lieutenant on October 16, 1862, 1^st Lieutenant February 7, 1863 and Captain on January 26, 1864 but he had commanded his Company since November of 1862. Hatch was in all the battles of his regiment except Mine Run. “At the Weldon Railroad he captured the battle-flag of the Twenty-Fifth South Carolina Regiment, nearly losing his life. The flag was left in a cornfield twenty or twenty-five rods in front of the breastworks. He was bringing in the flag, with fifteen or twenty rebels, when he imprudently raised the color and was mistaken for a rebel. The Fifty-Sixth Pennsylvania, on the right of the Seventy-Sixth, prepared to open fire, which was prevented by one of the Seventy-Sixth calling out that it was Captain Hatch with prisoners. He was, for this brave act, mentioned in the report of the Brigade Commander. He was discharged by reason of expiration of time, October twentieth, 1864, and returned to his farm in McLean, N.Y.” It was during this action that Captain Hatch also captured the knapsack offered here.

This exact item is pictured on page 202 of the Time-Life Books “ARMS AND EQUIPMENT OF THE CONFEDERACY.”

With the item comes a large file of information on the 76^th New York, 25^th South Carolina, Captain Hatch and the battle of Weldon Railroad.

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