South Carolina Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans
South Carolina Division, Sons of Confederate VeteransSouth Carolina Division, Sons of Confederate VeteransSouth Carolina Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans
South Carolina Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans
South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum
South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Military MuseumSouth Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Military MuseumSouth Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum
South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum
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CLAREMONT RIFLES

History
This unit was raised at Stateburg, Sumter District, January 1861 and joined the 2nd [Palmetto] South Carolina Volunteer Infantry for State service for 12 months. They arrived in Charleston on April 10 and were stationed on Morris Island. Following the reorganization of the 2nd for Confederate service, the Claremont Rifles apparently returned to Stateburg. They were then accepted into Hampton Legion. At Lightwood Knot Springs they mustered into Confederate service on August 19, 1861 for one year. The flag was presented upon their original organization by Dr. Nelson Burgess on behalf of Stateburg Ladies. The silk flag has “January 1861” embroidered on it.
At about the time of 1st Manassas, Captain James G. Spann returned the flag to his family. It is not known if the flag went to Virginia. Spann was killed at Petersburg August 24, 1864. The family moved to Alabama where about 1910 the flag was discovered, returned to the UDC in Sumter and then given to the Confederate Relic Room at that time.
Note: Flag is one of three in collection relating to Hampton Legion.

Description/Condition
White silk flag with gold fringe along the outer edges. Silk is sewn to a gauze (?) backing which is visible due to extensive silk/fabric loss. Obverse - Embroidered palmetto tree in center, with lettering above and below: "Where Hon(o)r, Liber(t)y/AND OUR STATE ()a( )". Areas in parentheses represent missing letters or holes in the fabric. Reverse - Cream colored star embroidered in center, outlined in gold sequins with embroidered lettering above and below: "...AREMO(n)T RIFLES./JAN(u)ARY, 1861".
Height: 33 1/2" Width: 35 1/2"

FABRIC
Discoloration/Stains: Silk has yellowed significantly. Obverse - Stains through the center. Reverse - Dark brown stains through center of the flag. Blue stains on the lower right corner.
Surface Grime: Moderately soiled throughout.
Embrittlement: Silk is very brittle, prone to splitting and breaking off.
Creases: Small creases throughout.
Loss of warp/weft: Obverse - Approximately 45 percent of silk is lost, especially along the fly edge and along the bottom of the flag. Reverse - Approximately 50 % of the silk is lost, especially along the fly edge and around the star.
Weak Seams: Throughout.
Comments: Recommend storing flat due to delicate condition of the silk.