- More
Confederate "Liberty or Death" Flag Captured by Custer's Cavalry from Stuart's Cavalry During the Retreat after the Battle of ...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.Description
Confederate "Liberty or Death" Flag Captured by Custer's Cavalry from Stuart's Cavalry During the Retreat after the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. Confederate 1st national flag; believed to have been taken from the baggage train at Jack's Shop, Virginia during the Confederate retreat after the Battle of Gettysburg when Stuart's cavalry was protecting Lee's retreat. It was captured by William Goodman, Company I, Fifth Michigan Cavalry (Custer's Cavalry). He enlisted from Salem, Michigan August 19, 1862 and was taken prisoner at James City, Virginia on October 11, 1863. Goodman remained a prisoner of war and died at the infamous Andersonville, Georgia prison on July 24, 1864. Accompanied by Private Goodman's family photograph album, which includes a 1/6th plate tintype of him standing with a cavalry saber. Also his kerchief with other personal and family effects, including a GAR medal.Authentication: Flag is a variation of the 1st national flag of the confederacy, the "Stars and Bars." Measuring overall 34 3/8" on the hoist (staff edge) by 53" wide on the fly. The field is composed entirely of cotton and consists of three horizontal bars - red uppermost, 11 inches wide but with a gap at the top of an inch. The center bar is 9¾" wide and the lowest red bar is 12¼" wide. Inset into the upper staff corner but extending only through the top red bar is a medium blue canton 12¼" high on the hoist by 12½" wide bearing 13 white cotton 5-pointed stars each 3¾" across their points appliquéd by hand to the obverse side, possibly cut away on the reverse. The leading edge of the flag is hemmed to a depth of 3/8" and once bore 4 hand sewn buttonhole eyelets. The lower and fly edges are decorated with a dark blue silk curtain 1¼" wide secured by floral decorated tape ¼" wide. In the center of the white bar is 16½" from the hoist edge is a 3 line motto, LIBERTY/ OR/ DEATH" in red cotton large block letters with serifs 1 3/8" tall.
The 'Liberty or Death' motto was a common declaration during the Civil War, a demand made by the Virginian and Revolutionary War hero Patrick Henry in 1775 at St. John's Church in Richmond. Many Confederates believed the Civil War to be the second American Revolution in which many of their ancestors had fought and died. Indeed Patrick Henry's grandson was William Roane, the former United States Senator from Virginia. Henry's sister's grandson was Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston. 'Liberty or Death' was still very much a mindset during the Civil War.
Letters of authenticity and research from renowned Civil War flag expert and author Howard Madaus.
Provenance: Captured by William Goodman, 5th Michigan Cavalry
The Don Tharpe Collection of American Military History
Exhibited: The Liberty Heritage Society Museum *****
Auction Info
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $9) per lot.
This item cannot be shipped using standard methods. Please contact us for more information. Sales Tax information
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Floor auctions
Open for bidding: (View All)Fine Art
Ends on 03/05/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Ends on 03/05/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/08/2021
Photography
Ends on 03/10/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/11/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 03/11/2021
Fine & Rare Wine
Ends on 03/12/2021
Western & Texas Art
Ends on 03/12/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Ends on 03/13/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/15/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 03/16/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/17/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/17/2021
Sports Collectibles
Ends on 03/18/2021
Nature & Science
Ends on 03/19/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 03/21/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/22/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/24/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 03/25/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Ends on 03/25/2021
Movie Posters
Ends on 03/27/2021
Currency
Ends on 04/04/2021
Luxury Real Estate
Opens about 01/22/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 03/08/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 03/12/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/07/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/17/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 03/19/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 03/18/2021
US Coins
Opens about 03/08/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 02/24/2021
Musical Instruments
Opens about 03/23/2021
Photography
Opens about 03/22/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/23/2021
Photography
Opens about 03/24/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 03/18/2021
Sports Collectibles
Opens about 04/01/2021
US Coins
Opens about 03/16/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 03/26/2021
Historical
Opens about 03/29/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/21/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/31/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 04/01/2021
Currency
Opens about 04/02/2021
US Coins
Opens about 04/02/2021
US Coins
Opens about 03/22/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/28/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 04/06/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 04/08/2021
Currency
Opens about 04/12/2021
Illustration Art
Opens about 04/09/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 04/09/2021
Entertainment
Opens about 04/12/2021
Luxury Accessories
Opens about 04/12/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 04/02/2021
Heritage membership
- Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
- Bid online
- Free Collector newsletter
- Want List with instant e-mail notifications
- Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
winnings
- Cash Advances
- More Bidders
- Trusted Experts
- Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
Learn about consigning with us
This was my first time dealing with an auction house, and I am 100% completely impressed with Heritage. There is not an aspect of this process that I have a critique for.View More Testimonials
HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)