Military Flag
Textile MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1862
MediumHand-stitched; silk, plain woven cotton header, sequins, metal thread, tassels
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 44 x 47in. (111.8 x 119.4cm)
Other (case height x width): 56 x 53 x 3in. (142.2 x 134.6 x 7.6cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Captain Charles J. Fuller
Object number1897.8.0
DescriptionSilk presentation flag of the 13th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The flag has been reconstructed from its fragments of beige colored silk to the way that it would have originally been made. The flag is made from two equal size pieces of silk and hand stitched together horizontally in the center. Appliquéd above the center seam, on both sides of the flag, is the word "Union" in cursive lettering, made from silver sequins sewn together onto a paper backing with a beige colored silk thread. The paper backed sequins are then stitched to the silk with a heavier blue thread. Centered below "Union" and below the center seam on both sides of the flag are the words "13th Vol / Con Reg / N Orleans La / 1862". They are constructed and appliquéd to the flag in the same manner as the word "Union". The flag contains a total of 34 five pointed stars with 17 on each side. The stars are made of silver bullion, on top of silver sequins, and appliquéd to both sides of the flag in a triangular shape. The base of the shape is formed by 4 stars on each side of the word "Union" that connect with diagonal rows of four stars from the edges of the flag and move towards a single star at the top of the triangle. On the top and bottom edges of the flag there is fringe made from the same silver bullion as the stars. The fringe runs the entire length of the bottom edge of the flag but only about a third of the way from the hoist end to fly end on the top edge. Although there is a lack of silk from the fly end of the flag, it would be appropriate to say that the fly end would have probably had fringe on it as well. The header is made from a plain woven cotton that is covered with the same silk used to make the flag, and then hand-stitched to the hoist end of the flag. Tied to the top of the header is a cord of silver bullion that has a silver tassel at each end. The cord is tied together with a slip knot 9" below where it is tied to the header.
NotesHistorical Note: According to museum records, this flag was presented by the loyal women of New Orleans to the 13th Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers in 1862.Historical Note: According to the conservation report, it is believed that the original color of the silk was probably blue and not the current beige color it appears to be today. (Brundage 1/8/09)
Status
Not on view
1941-1945
