"VITA POTIOR LIBERTAS," - "Liberty rather than life" 2nd South Carolina Flag Sticker/Magnet

"VITA POTIOR LIBERTAS," - "Liberty rather than life" 2nd South Carolina Flag Stickers

On October 9, 1779, the blue colors were lost in the Battle of Spring Hill Redoubt during the French and American Siege of Savannah. Four color bearers were lost in the action. A Captain in the Royal American Regiment wrote "at the assault on Spring Hill redoubt, Lieutenant Bush being wounded handed the blue color to Sergeant Jasper. Jasper, who had already received a bullet, was then mortally wounded, but returned the color to Bush who the next minute fell, yet even in the moment of death attempted to protect the flag which was afterwards found beneath him. No one could have done more, and the color hallowed by the blood of Bush and Jasper, deserves to be deposited under a consecrated roof". Jasper managed to carry the red color off the field, but died the next day of his wounds. The blue color was for many years at the museum of the 60th Regiment, The Kings Royal Rifle Corps, at Winchester, England. It has since been returned to this country and is on alternating display at the Smithsonian Institute and the South Carolina State Museum.      The regiment continued to serve until it was surrendered with the Southern Army at the fall of Charleston in May, 1780. The regiment’s traditions of resourcefulness and bravery continued on in the exploits of Francis Marion, the former commandant of the 2nd Regiment who continued fighting as the “The Swamp Fox” in legendary guerrilla campaigns until the British were finally driven out of South Carolina in 1782.

The regiment was issued two flags of the same design, one in blue and one in red. Both were carried during the Battle of Savannah, with the blue version surviving to this day. It is unclear as to the fate of the red standard. 

Each purchase comes with two stickers or two magnets.