Local women made a flag for Cannon County's St. John Guards of Company D, 18th Tennessee Infantry. The women embroidered their names on the stars: Mrs. Dr. Wood, Mrs. F. G. St. John, Miss Par Wood, Mrs. St. John, Miss Anne Coleman, Miss Helen Wood, Mrs. Fannie St. John and Miss Jennie St. John. The 9th Illinois Regiment captured the flag during the surrender of Fort Donelson. Henry Jefferson St. John was among those who became a prisoner of war at Johnson's Island, Illinois.
A soldier in the 9th Illinois, Fred J. Schreve, took the flag to his home in Mascoutah, Illinois, and put it in his attic, where it remained for approximately 40 years.
Mr. Schreve learned the history of the flag and returned it to the Cannon County UDC. Now it can be seen in the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville.
Tools
Key Facts
- Made by the women of Cannon County, some of whom were relatives of St. John family members in the unit
- Trained at Camp Trousdale, captured at Fort Donelson
