The Civil Struggle was one of many final main conflicts the place American forces carried regimental flags and banners immediately into battle. Because the Confederacy seceded from the Union, the mass mobilization of males on each side of the border led to the formation of hundreds of recent regiments and battalions, primarily composed of volunteer infantry and cavalry.
On the outbreak of warfare, the Union Military comprised simply 16,367 males. By the top of the warfare, it had swelled to round 1 million. Accomplice numbers are a bit imprecise, however official figures state that 174,223 males surrendered because the warfare ended.
Every new regiment required its personal distinct flag to instill within the males a way of unit satisfaction and shared camaraderie. Flags had been additionally used for the very sensible goal of figuring out a regiment within the swirling chaos of battle.
For collectors right this moment, Civil Struggle flags may be categorized into two important varieties: originals and replicas. Unique flags are valuable historic artifacts that, because of the nature of the perishable supplies used, will turn out to be more and more uncommon as time passes. Replicas are finest fitted to historic reenactments and provide a much more inexpensive strategy to accumulate these significant historic gadgets.
Flags of the North
Unique flags from the Union are extra broadly out there than these from the Confederacy, primarily because of the monumental dimension of the Union Military through the warfare. As a rule, they often promote for lower than Accomplice flags.
As an exception to this, one unbelievable merchandise did come up on the market some years in the past—the non-public battle flag of George Armstrong Custer. Handmade by his spouse Elizabeth, this flag was offered to Custer within the ultimate days of the American Civil Struggle and carried with him by means of the rest of his campaigns. Happily for posterity, it was left behind at headquarters when Custer’s command was partially annihilated on the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. It bears a pair of crossed cavalry sabres and is remarkably effectively preserved for a flag that was used so extensively in a collection of hard-fought campaigns in all weathers. It bought for almost $900,000 however is now value effectively over 1,000,000.
Often known as Bloody Kansas through the Civil Struggle, the state of Kansas was cut up between pro-secessionist and pro-Union residents, resulting in a very nasty collection of raids and counter-raids. The preventing was extraordinarily bitter—essentially the most notorious incident being Quantrill’s Raid on Lawrence in August 1863, when Accomplice guerrillas killed round 182 males and boys and burnt the city.
A professional-Union flag from early within the warfare commemorating Kansas statehood was not too long ago bought. Organized in a ‘Grand Luminary’ sample (the place a big star is made up of a number of smaller stars), it might conceivably have been displayed within the city through the Lawrence Raid. It bought for nearly $50,000 in 2022.
The fifth Regiment United States Cavalry fought at Gettysburg and The Wilderness, however their most well-known motion got here at Gaines Mill, the place the cost they made saved Union artillery from seize. Fascinatingly, the Regiment was chosen as the dignity guard for Lee’s give up at Appomattox. The Regiment seemed on solemnly when Lee made his well beyond them— earlier than the warfare, he had been their commander! The unique cavalry guidon carried by the regiment on the give up bought for $32,500 in 2023.
Flags of the South
Smaller, sq. flags had been typically carried by gentle artillery or cavalry models to assist quick motion on the battlefield. They had been typically “nationwide” flags and never essentially embroidered with the title of the precise regiment or unit. This sq. Stars and Bars is probably going a lightweight artillery flag. As a result of a majority of these flags are scarce, particularly if Accomplice, the merchandise bought in 2024 for $66,000.
The enduring “Don’t Tread on Me” flag has been utilized by a wide selection of political actions in America. Initially designed by Christopher Gadsden, a member of Congress through the Revolutionary Struggle, the flag bears a coiled snake. Through the Civil Struggle, the picture was used virtually fully within the South, as many Confederates noticed the warfare as a battle for states’ rights in opposition to Northern tyranny. One such flag, most likely used within the Confederacy to make a political assertion, bought for over $28,000.
The tenth Texas was also referred to as “Wilson Guards,” and their most well-known motion was the Battle of Arkansas Publish in 1863. Outnumbered six to 1 by Union forces, the Regiment was overwhelmed and compelled to give up. Freed in a prisoner trade three months later, the tenth would go on to struggle in main battles within the Western Theatre, together with Chickamauga. One in all their unique regimental flags, full with their uncommon regimental nickname, bought for over $31,000 some years in the past, though the value will undoubtedly have elevated since then.
Duplicate Flags
Copy flags can provide an affordable strategy to have interaction within the pastime of flag gathering. If made to historic specs, they are often extraordinarily genuine. For Civil Struggle re-enactors, reproduction flags are indispensable.
One common strategy to accumulate historic reproduction flags is to purchase miniature framed ones for residence show. This one depicts the flag of the Union a hundredth Illinois Volunteers, full with their battle honors, together with Chickamauga. Framed flags are additionally out there for Southern regiments, reminiscent of the first Texas Infantry. Each framed miniature flags bought for a bit below $50 in 2025.
Excessive-quality replicas, which can be utilized in reenactments, are additionally common. These are full-sized flags typically full with gold trim. This one of many sixth Wisconsin Volunteers is made from heavy cotton and painted by hand, giving it that genuine interval really feel. This one bought in 2024 for simply over $100.
Particular person firms of regiments generally carried private battle flags, particularly within the case of cavalry firms. A reproduction company-level flag from the fifth Virginia Cavalry Regiment bought for $140 in 2024. Traditionally, the fifth was current in a number of main battles. Solely two males surrendered at Appomattox as a result of many of the regiment minimize by means of Union strains. Once they had ridden to security, the remaining troopers disbanded.
Ultimate Ideas
Regimental flags are among the many most outstanding artifacts of the Civil Struggle to gather. Originals typically bear the scars of battles they had been carried in. When emblazoned with battle honors, they replicate the service every regiment or unit gave. Sound interval data is vital. Happily, there’s a wealth of high-quality materials out there, and the Civil Struggle reenactment neighborhood is full of people that can precisely determine flags.
Matthew Doherty is a author, editor, and trainer specializing in all issues history-related. His work has been printed within the UK Defence Journal, the Small Wars Journal, and The Collector. He holds an MSc from the College of Edinburgh and a BA from the College of Leeds. In his spare time, he additionally writes science fiction tales.
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