CONFEDERATE VETERAN REUNION RIBBON FRAGMENT: CO. A 2nd GEORGIA, THE SEMMES GUARDS, BENNING’S BRIGADE

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Item Code: 149-62

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This is a fragment of a Confederate veteran’s badge fitting for the fragment of the unit who survived to war’s end, just 158 out of 607: a white ribbon with what was likely gold lettering reading: “Co. C / 2 GA. / Reg’t / BENNINGS / Brigade,” As shown, the ribbon has losses, the white shows some soiling and has shifted to a cream color with some brown, and the lettering is a black with some green tones. Nevertheless, as the remnant of a company level Confederate reunion ribbon it is scarce and the unit has strong record. The company, from Muskogee County, was nicknamed the “Semmes Guards” after Paul Jones Semmes, the regiment’s first Colonel, and later brigadier general. Its first Captain was William S. Shepherd and after reorganization in April 1862, Lt. Walter A. Thompson was elected Captain. The regiment’s history, summarized from several sources is as follows: Its companies were raised in the counties of Banks, Jackson, Muscogee, Burke, Bibb, Marion, and Stewart. It completed its organization at Brunswick, Georgia, in June, 1861, and moved to Virginia. In April, 1862, when reorganized for three years or the war in the Confederate service the regiment had a force of 607 men and during the war served in General Toombs' and Benning's  Brigade. It fought with the Army of Northern Virginia from the Seven Days' Battles to Cold Harbor, except when it was detached with Longstreet at Suffolk, Chickamauga, and Knoxville. The 2nd was involved in the Petersburg siege south of the James River and various engagements around Appomattox.

Seven companies saw action at Garnett's Farm in June 1862, losing 144 men of the 271 engaged, then reported 11 killed and 70 wounded at Malvern Hill, including Capt. Thompson, killed. The unit lost 56 of the 163 in action at Second Manassas, 6 killed, 28 wounded and 8 captured at Antietam, and 25 killed, 66 wounded and 11 missing out of 348 at Gettysburg in the fighting near Devils Den and the Wheatfield. It moved west with Longstreet in the Fall, fighting at Chickamauga, Wauhatchie, Campbell’s Station and Knoxville, returning east in time for the 1864 campaign, fighting at Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, the Crater at Petersburg, Chaffin’s Farm, and elsewhere, sustaining 66 casualties from April 14 to May 6, and 25 from August 1 to December 31.

The condition of the ribbon is rather fitting for the unit it commemorates: a ragged memento of a unit that saw hard service and ended the war as a ragged remnant at Appomattox there were just 12 officers and 146 men of the entire regiment left to surrender.  [sr][ph:L]

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