Sgt. Andrew J. Tozier, Medal of Honor Recipient of the Twentieth Maine

Abstract

Defending the Sacred Trust Th e Civil War color guard was composed of one color sergeant, who bore the fl ag, and a small number of color corporals, whose responsibility it was to defend the colorbearer and the fl ag. Th e color sergeant position was viewed within the regiment as a special post of honor. As the colorbearer always drew concentrated fi re from an enemy intent on capturing his colors, this soldier had to be one of the bravest men in the regiment. Not the sacrifi ce of his life nor any cost in regimental lives was deemed too high a price to keep the colors safe from capture. Correspondingly, the loss of the regimental colors to capture was considered a great disgrace for that regiment. Many years aft er the war, Chamberlain would recall Tozier’s almosttransfi gured image standing alone with the fl ag. Th e battle’s opening discharges had virtually vanquished the small color guard unit, and the support companies on either side of the color guard had also sustained heavy casualties. Chamberlain recalled the scene at the center of his line: