Skip to main content
Go to accessibility notice
    LOT #74032  | 
    Sold for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

    Very Rare U.S. Navy "Boat Ensign" Captured at Battery Wagner in 1863. This boat ensign is of the type used on U.S. Navy laun...

    Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
    • Military & Patriotic:Civil War, Very Rare U.S. Navy "Boat Ensign" Captured at Battery Wagner in 1863. This boat ensign is of the type used on U.S. Navy laun...
    • Military & Patriotic:Civil War, Very Rare U.S. Navy "Boat Ensign" Captured at Battery Wagner in 1863. This boat ensign is of the type used on U.S. Navy laun...
    • Military & Patriotic:Civil War, Very Rare U.S. Navy "Boat Ensign" Captured at Battery Wagner in 1863. This boat ensign is of the type used on U.S. Navy laun...
    • Military & Patriotic:Civil War, Very Rare U.S. Navy "Boat Ensign" Captured at Battery Wagner in 1863. This boat ensign is of the type used on U.S. Navy laun...
    Military & Patriotic:Civil War, Very Rare U.S. Navy "Boat Ensign" Captured at Battery Wagner in 1863. This boat ensign is of the type used on U.S. Navy laun... Military & Patriotic:Civil War, Very Rare U.S. Navy "Boat Ensign" Captured at Battery Wagner in 1863. This boat ensign is of the type used on U.S. Navy laun... Military & Patriotic:Civil War, Very Rare U.S. Navy "Boat Ensign" Captured at Battery Wagner in 1863. This boat ensign is of the type used on U.S. Navy laun... Military & Patriotic:Civil War, Very Rare U.S. Navy "Boat Ensign" Captured at Battery Wagner in 1863. This boat ensign is of the type used on U.S. Navy laun... View More >
    Sold for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)
    Claim Item:
    Share this lot

    Sell One of These Currency Converter

    Description

    Very Rare U.S. Navy "Boat Ensign" Captured at Battery Wagner in 1863. This boat ensign is of the type used on U.S. Navy launches and other small craft such as those that attacked Battery Wagner on Morris Island near Charleston, South Carolina during the Civil War. Captain Charles E. Chichester, commanding a battery of Confederate cannon at the front, captured this flag as the Union troops unsuccessfully assaulted the fort on July 11, 1863, just one week before the assault made famous in the film Glory was repulsed as well. Copies of Captain Chichester's muster rolls, correspondence, and other records are included with this flag.

    Measuring 43" at the hoist and 81½" on the fly, this flag bears evidence of its extensive use in battle. The blue field is faded and torn with holes, most likely from gunshots, as is the entire flag. Made of red, white, and blue bunting, the flag has 13 five-pointed stars on the obverse with the cloth cut away to reveal the stars on the reverse. It was often the practice to include only 13 stars on boat ensigns to increase the visibility of the stars at sea. This flag conforms to the Union regulations for the "Number 12" U.S. ensign with its 13 stripes and its alternating use of three, then two stars.

    This example of a flag used during the failed invasion at Battery Island is very rare and historically important.



    Auction Info

    Auction Dates
    June, 2007
    24th-25th Sunday-Monday
    Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 3
    Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
    Page Views: 1,130

    Buyer's Premium per Lot:
    19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $9) per lot.

    Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
    Calculate Standard Domestic Shipping Sales Tax information

    Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More

    Terms and Conditions  |  Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments |  Glossary of Terms

    Viewing at %
    Please enter a value between % and 100% and press your "Enter" key. Close
    Fit to screen View Full Size Brightness
    Sold for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)
    Sold for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

    Heritage membership

    Join Now - It's Free

    VIEW BENEFITS
    1. Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
    2. Bid online
    3. Free Collector newsletter
    4. Want List with instant e-mail notifications
    5. Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
      winnings 
    Consign now
    • Cash Advances
    • More Bidders
    • Trusted Experts
    • Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
    Consign to the 2020 June 7 Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Signature Auction - Dallas.

    Learn about consigning with us

    Heritage Auctions and Mr. Chad Reingold were...professional and courteous in all transactions and provided outstanding service in answering my many emails. I recommend them at the highest level.
    Killy M.,
    Melbourne Beach, FL
    View More Testimonials

    HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)

    Video tutorial

    Getting the most out of search

    Recent auctions

    The Collection of James Kwis Leonard Internet Rare Books Auction
    The Collection of James Kwis Leonard Internet Rare Books Auction
    REALIZED SO FAR $300,884