Casting
The Color Bearers features many fascinating characters from America's past and present.
Is this project "PRO-WAR" ?
"There was never a good war, or a bad peace" - Benjamin Franklin
About our Host: Vince Papale
"I am so proud to be associated with the program The Color Bearers. When I first read the script, it gave me chills..."
Sgt James M Seitzinger & Family
Sgt. James Monroe Seitzinger
Medal of Honor, Flag Rescuer - Civil War
JAMES M. SEITZINGER: Gordon, PA born November 24, 1846. Private, Company G, 116th Pennsylvania Infantry.
Medal of Honor Recipient, Cold Harbor, Va., 3 June 1864. Citation given: 1 March 1906. When the color bearer was shot down, this soldier seized the colors and bore them gallantly in a charge against the enemy.
Jean Dellock, Great Granddaughter of James M. Seitzinger, with the flag of the 116th PA Vol Inf. Scene from The Color Bearers
The Seitzinger family history shows that James' Great Grandfather Nicholas Seitzinger, born in Reading in 1758, participated in the American Revolution, and one of his eight sons, Jacob Seitzinger took part in the War of 1812.
Jacob's son Israel Seitzinger organized Company E of the 6th Pennsylvania Volunteers, or Ashland Rifles, on April 1, 1861. This was the first volunteer company from Ashland and their service lasted for ninety days as part of the first contingent to enter the nation's capitol to defend against possible attack. James Seitzinger was the son of Israel Seitzinger.
It was 1864 when Israel Seitzinger, along with his son, James M. Seitzinger (then only 17 years old, and a "slight stripling of a lad), joined Company G of the 116th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and the father and son team participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania and Petersburg.
Of his service at Cold Harbor, Seitzinger's Commanding Officer Captain Frank R. Leib, wrote: "In the charge on Cold Harbor on the morning of June 3, 1864, our color sergeant was shot down and through the midst of the shot and shell, James M. Seitzinger, then a private, grabbed the colors and waving it called to the regiment to follow. If in your judgment you deem him worthy of a Medal of Honor, it would be well bestowed on a gallant soldier."
Scarcely two months later, August 25, 1864, Medal of Honor awardee James M. Seitzinger sustained two wounds in a skirmish near Petersburg, Virginia.
Seitzinger was awarded the Medal of Honor on March 1, 1906.
James passed away on January 14, 1924 at the age of 77 and is buried in Christ Church Cemetery, Fountain Springs
The Seitzinger Family proudly continues its service to our country today. Sean Foley, the 6th Great-Grandson of Nicholas Seitzinger, serves with the PA Army National Guard, and served a tour in Iraq April 2003 - April 2004.