7TH SC INFANTRY BATTALION
History
[aka Enfield Rifles, less frequently Nelson’s] battalion colors illustrate the flag pattern adopted by the State in January 1861. The 7th organized on February 22, 1862 with five companies and three other companies, F, G and H added soon after. Initial service was on coastal SC until assigned to Hagood’s Brigade, May-October 1864. With Hagood, the 7th fought at Swift Creek, Va through the Petersburg Siege. Finally, they served at Fort Fisher briefly and in the Carolinas Campaign. Mrs. James Cantey [Camilla Richardson] of Kershaw District gave her blue silk dress to make the flag. Note: The 7th Bn flag represents action on the SC coast and is one of two Hagood Brigade flags in our collection, the other being the Beauregard Light Infantry.
Description/Condition
Navy blue silk flag with gold embroidery obverse shows a gold palmetto tree; crescent moon with sequins, and a banner under the tree. Reverse shows 10 gold stars in cross formation with latin writing above and below.
Inscriptions - Obverse: Palmetto tree and crescent moon, with a banner underneath with the following text: "7th, S.C. BATT.
Reverse: A series of 10 stars in the shape of a cross, with text above and below: “Sursum Corda Quid Non Pro Patria” (“Lift up your hearts. What would we not do for our Country.”) The 'd' in 'corda' is sewn on backwards. Height: 46 1/2" Width: 60"
FABRIC
Stains: Obverse - Light colored water stains along right side of tree. Reverse - Light colored (water?) stains along the fly edge, center, and top right corner.
Surface Grime: Lightly soiled throughout.
Embrittlement: Silk is slightly brittle, prone to creasing.
Creases: Moderate creasing throughout.
Holes: Top left corner of the reverse side. Obverse - Top and bottom corners of fly edge.
Loss of Weft.
Weak Seams: Throughout, especially along fringe border.
Corrosion of metal threads: Appears that the sequins may be causing some straining of the silk.
Other: Small paper/cloth tag sewn to bottom edge (obverse side) approximately 23" from the fly edge. No writing is visible on it.
FABRIC DECORATION
Description: Embroidery/Attachments - Fringe.
Discoloration: Darkening of gold fringe and gold crescent moon (obverse).
Surface Grime: Lightly soiled throughout.
Missing Elements: 2/3 of fringe lost from fly edge.
Weak Seams: Throughout, along fringe border and in embroidered areas. Threads come loose very easily. Sequins fall off.
Corrosion of metal threads: Sequins may be stemming fabric.
Comments: Embroidery is very unstable. Threads, sequins fall off with even the smallest amount of handling.