Company “D” McKewn’s Cavalry or Wassa Massaw Rangers Guidon-Style Flag

The 2nd South Carolina Cavalry Regiment was formed by consolidating Hampton’s Legion Cavalry Battalion and the 4th South Carolina Cavalry Battalion during the summer of 1862. After consolidation, they went on to fight in the battles of Antietam, Fredricksburg, Brandy Station, Hanover, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and Cold Harbor along with several other minor battles and skirmishes while attached to the Army of Northern Virginia. In July of 1864, the cavalry regiment was transferred to the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and then to the Department of North Carolina in January of 1865. The 2nd South Carolina Cavalry fought in the Second Battle of Ft. Fischer January 13th – 15th. Then they were transferred once again to the Army of Tennessee and fought at the Battle of Durham’s Station where they surrendered on April, 26th, 1865 with the rest of Johnston’s Army of Tennessee. There were 14 officers and 224 enlisted men present and fit for duty at the time of surrender.

About the Company “D” Guidon

This is the cavalry guidon of Company “D” of the 2nd South Carolina Cavalry Regiment also known as “McKewn’s Cavalry”, “Wassamassaw Cavalry”, or the “Wassa Massaw Rangers”. The original flag was made of blue silk in the standard forked guidon shape featuring the South Carolina crescent and palmetto. The design is also inscribed with the Latin phrase “Dum Spiro Spero” which means “While I Breathe”.

This is a reproduction of the 2nd South Carolina Cavalry Company “D” Guidon with an aged, antiqued finish intended to look like the preserved flag does today. Not as it would have appeared during the Civil War. The actual dimensions and materials are not exactly the same as the original flag. Made of printed 100 denier polyester which is a light material that will fly easily in a light breeze. The artwork is visible on both sides of the flag. The lettering reads right on one side only.