What do you think?
Rate this book
Carrying the Flag: The Story Of Private Charles Whilden, The Confederacy's Most Unlikely Hero
For forty years, Charles Whilden lived a life noteworthy for failure. Then, in a remarkable chain of events, this aging, epileptic desk clerk from Charleston found himself plunged into the brutal battlefields of the Wilderness (May 57, 1864) and Spotsylvania Court House (May 820, 1864). In an astonishing act of bravery, he wrapped the flag around his body and led a charge that won critical ground for the Confederates, changing the course of one of the war's most significant battles. Gordon C. Rhea combines his deep knowledge of Civil War history with original sources, such as a treasure trove of letters written by Charles Whilden, to tell the story of this unusual life. Growing up in a prominent family that had fallen on hard times, Charles received a good education, and his letters reveal flashes of intelligence. But he failed at the practice of law in his home state and in his endeavors elsewhere, including copper speculation, real estate ventures, and farming. After the attack on Fort Sumter, Charles returned to Charleston to enlist in Confederate service, only to be turned down until the rebellion was on its last legs. Even then he saw only a few weeks of combat. But in that time, he discovered a bravery within himself that nothing in his former existence suggested he had.
288 pages, Paperback
First published December 24, 2003
7 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Gordon C. Rhea
20 books54 followersMr. Rhea is a nationally acclaimed historian. He has lectured extensively on topics of military history at the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command, at several National Military Parks, and at historical societies and civil war round tables across the country. He had been a member of numerous boards of directors of historical societies, magazines, and historic preservation organizations, including the Civil War Library and Museum, Philadelphia, and North and South magazine. Mr. Rhea has appeared on History Channel, A&E Channel, and Discovery Channel in programs related to American history and has written scores of articles for various scholarly and popular publications. His books, which are considered authoritative in their fields, include:
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 12, 2025
Review of Carrying the Flag by Gordon Rhea – 3.2/5 Stars
Gordon Rhea’s Carrying the Flag promises a compelling story centered on Charles Whilden, a Confederate color bearer during the Overland Campaign. However, the book falls short of expectations, offering only fleeting mentions of Whilden himself. Instead, it reads like a broad overview of Ulysses S. Grant’s 1864 campaign, with detailed accounts of battles and strategies but little focus on the titular figure.
Rhea’s writing is polished and accessible, making the complex maneuvers of the Overland Campaign engaging for readers interested in military history. His research is evident, and the narrative flows well, painting a vivid picture of the brutal clashes, particularly at spots like the Mule Shoe. Yet, for a book titled Carrying the Flag, I expected a deeper exploration of Whilden’s personal journey, motivations, and his heroic actions as a color bearer. Even at the pivotal moment of his bravery at the Mule Shoe, Whilden’s role is barely highlighted, leaving me wanting more.
This mismatch between title and content is the book’s biggest flaw. Readers seeking a character-driven story about an individual soldier will likely feel misled, while those looking for a general history of the Overland Campaign might find it informative but not groundbreaking. It’s a solid read for Civil War enthusiasts, but the title oversells Whilden’s presence. I give it 3.2 out of 5 stars—well-written but ultimately misnamed.
Gordon Rhea’s Carrying the Flag promises a compelling story centered on Charles Whilden, a Confederate color bearer during the Overland Campaign. However, the book falls short of expectations, offering only fleeting mentions of Whilden himself. Instead, it reads like a broad overview of Ulysses S. Grant’s 1864 campaign, with detailed accounts of battles and strategies but little focus on the titular figure.
Rhea’s writing is polished and accessible, making the complex maneuvers of the Overland Campaign engaging for readers interested in military history. His research is evident, and the narrative flows well, painting a vivid picture of the brutal clashes, particularly at spots like the Mule Shoe. Yet, for a book titled Carrying the Flag, I expected a deeper exploration of Whilden’s personal journey, motivations, and his heroic actions as a color bearer. Even at the pivotal moment of his bravery at the Mule Shoe, Whilden’s role is barely highlighted, leaving me wanting more.
This mismatch between title and content is the book’s biggest flaw. Readers seeking a character-driven story about an individual soldier will likely feel misled, while those looking for a general history of the Overland Campaign might find it informative but not groundbreaking. It’s a solid read for Civil War enthusiasts, but the title oversells Whilden’s presence. I give it 3.2 out of 5 stars—well-written but ultimately misnamed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2018
Excellent read I’ve never read any books by Rhea but have the entire overland campaign series except the last one but I will be picking that one up. The book showed how one moment in time in a desperate situation by one man can make a difference. I could not put the book down.
November 9, 2017
best Civil War book i've read to date with the climate of possible slave insurrection as a pretext but Charles Whilden was only a fair to middling character around which to structure a narrative.
June 22, 2020
An exceptional depiction of battle during the Civil War, and how men on both sides rallied to each other in the darkest of times. Must read for history buffs.
September 16, 2023
You don't really read books from the confederacy side of things
August 15, 2013
Gordon C. Rhea is generally acknowledged as the premier historian writing about the 1864 Overland Campaign, having written an award winning four volume history on said campaign. In Carrying the Flag Rhea revisits the Overland Campaign, but instead of writing about the whole campaign in a grand scale, he instead tells the tale of one Rebel private.
In the story of Charles Whilden, Rhea has uncovered one of those little gold nuggets that helps shed light on historical events and make them more relatable. Whilden's story is one of unlikely heroism, of a man who had no business being in the thick of heavy combat in the first place rising to the occasion and making a difference. Private Whilden's moment of glory is quite brief, and only makes up a short part of the narrative, but Rhea skillfully fills in the rest of the story.
The book starts off providing background on Charles Whilden, his family, and the environment in Charleston, South Carolina in which he was raised. Continuing from Whilden's childhood, the narrative follows the story of his misadventures and failed business of his adulthood, up to the war years. When war comes, Charles ends up in a shipwreck that leaves his health debilitated, making him unfit for military service, until in 1864 the Confederate Army is forced to take virtually any adult male who can walk and carry a gun. Rhea then provides a great overview of the Overland Campaign, which although focused on providing a framework for Whilden's story, manages to avoid the bias that often affects biographies of men from one side or the other.
Although Rhea tells the story with skill, and without bias, it's not without it's flaws. Rhea feels the need to repeat over and over again how color bearers we particular targets for enemy fire. Stating this once or twice would probably be enough to make the point, but it ends up feeling like the author is delivering his point with a sledgehammer. Although that point is more of an annoyance, the complete lack of maps is a larger issue, as they would aid considerably in following the part of the narrative that covers the campaign in which Whilden fought.
In the story of Charles Whilden, Rhea has uncovered one of those little gold nuggets that helps shed light on historical events and make them more relatable. Whilden's story is one of unlikely heroism, of a man who had no business being in the thick of heavy combat in the first place rising to the occasion and making a difference. Private Whilden's moment of glory is quite brief, and only makes up a short part of the narrative, but Rhea skillfully fills in the rest of the story.
The book starts off providing background on Charles Whilden, his family, and the environment in Charleston, South Carolina in which he was raised. Continuing from Whilden's childhood, the narrative follows the story of his misadventures and failed business of his adulthood, up to the war years. When war comes, Charles ends up in a shipwreck that leaves his health debilitated, making him unfit for military service, until in 1864 the Confederate Army is forced to take virtually any adult male who can walk and carry a gun. Rhea then provides a great overview of the Overland Campaign, which although focused on providing a framework for Whilden's story, manages to avoid the bias that often affects biographies of men from one side or the other.
Although Rhea tells the story with skill, and without bias, it's not without it's flaws. Rhea feels the need to repeat over and over again how color bearers we particular targets for enemy fire. Stating this once or twice would probably be enough to make the point, but it ends up feeling like the author is delivering his point with a sledgehammer. Although that point is more of an annoyance, the complete lack of maps is a larger issue, as they would aid considerably in following the part of the narrative that covers the campaign in which Whilden fought.
November 23, 2013
This book briefly covers the Overland Campaign during the American Civil War in May of 1864. It weaves into it the story of Charles Whilden, a confederate flag bearer from South Carolina whose pivotal move may have saved the ANV in the wildness.
As a fairly new student to the Civil War, I would say that this campaign gets overlooked by a lot of people. In all fairness, this fighting is what changed the face of the war and was the turning point of the conflict - the point where Grant embraces not only command, but also the philosophy of Abraham Lincoln. It's a game of numbers. This is some of the most brutal and heartbreaking fighting you will see during the war - and Confederate veterans are falling in force. Yet they continue to fight with incredible courage and tenacity. Whilden's deed falls in the midst of it.
Loved the writing style of the author. He made it very easy to read and understand the depth and horror of this part of the war, and yet place Whilden's deed in the spotlight it should be in. Recommend to students of the Civil War. It's a great book for everyone.
As a fairly new student to the Civil War, I would say that this campaign gets overlooked by a lot of people. In all fairness, this fighting is what changed the face of the war and was the turning point of the conflict - the point where Grant embraces not only command, but also the philosophy of Abraham Lincoln. It's a game of numbers. This is some of the most brutal and heartbreaking fighting you will see during the war - and Confederate veterans are falling in force. Yet they continue to fight with incredible courage and tenacity. Whilden's deed falls in the midst of it.
Loved the writing style of the author. He made it very easy to read and understand the depth and horror of this part of the war, and yet place Whilden's deed in the spotlight it should be in. Recommend to students of the Civil War. It's a great book for everyone.
December 18, 2012
This is an excellant book that describes the battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania, with the life of Pvt. Charles Whilden as the main character. Charles is a loser at almost everything, until on the battlefield he performs a heroic act that changes the course of a battle. This book is an excellant history narrative. It describes the big picture and what went on in these key battles in Grants overland campaign. It also tells what is happening to Charles and his unit of the 1st South Carolina as the battles unfold. Another good book by Gordon C. Rhea.
September 25, 2009
Another wonderful historical book that relates an incredible story. This book makes history come alive and adds the story of an obscure personality that changed the course of the civil war. Fascinating and wonderful!
August 27, 2011
One of the best Civil War books I have read. Well documented and well researched. Especially enjoyed the author's comments at the end with the directions to the battle site. Excellent read for Civil War historians.
February 9, 2014
Really enjoyed the story of Charles Whilden even if though he seemed to disappear once or twice in this telling. I have to wonder how many warriors similar to Charles Whilden in both armies we may never know.
October 16, 2010
Well written...held my interest throughout.
February 11, 2008
-Great quick read on a personal story of the Civil War
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews