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Description

Rare Civil War Union Flag - Regimental Marker Flag Approximately 10% of the Union regiments raised for service during the American Civil War were presented with non-regulation "general guide" or flank marker flags by their benefactors. These small flags were carried by the "general guide sergeants" posted at each flank of the regiment in line to assist the field officers in maintaining a straight line of battle. These "marking flags" took a number of forms and were made in a variety of designs; many, however, followed the basic pattern on the regulation bunting camp colors, with fringe added. Such is the case for those presented to the 2nd New York Volunteer Infantry, the "Troy Regiment," before it departed to defend the nation's capital.

The Second Regiment New York State Volunteer Infantry was organized at Troy, New York and accepted for service by the state on the 14th of May 1861 and during this time participated in the following engagements: New Market Bridge, Va., Big Bethel, Action between the Monitor and Merrimac at Hampton Roads, Va., Oak Grove, Peach Orchard and Savage Station, White Oak Swamp and Glendale, Malvern Hill, Groveton, Bull Run, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville.

The flag consists of a white silk field, 15 1/2 " to 16" high on its staff by 18 3/8" to 18 5/8" wide on its fly, both dimensions exclusive of the 1 3/8" deep twisted silk yellow fringe that decorates three of the four sides of the flag. The regimental numeral "2," in a medium to dark blue silk is appliquéd to the field, slightly off-center. This figure is 8 3/4" high by 5 1/4" wide. Three pairs of dark blue silk ties decorate the staff edge the flag for securing it to its staff.

In addition to being framed, the flag is netted with a nylon honeycomb pattern translucent overcovering of the style initially used by Elizabeth Roser to conserve the New York State flag collection.

Provenance: The Crow Art Partnership Collection (Dallas, Texas); Chicago Historical Society (deaccessioned in 1974). Formerly in the Charles Gunther Collection (1893 - 1920).

Authentication: Letters of authenticity and research from renowned Civil War flag expert and author Howard Madaus.




Auction Info

Auction Dates
June, 2007
24th-25th Sunday-Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 3,459

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.

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Sold on Jun 24, 2007 for: $14,340.00
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