Description:

CIVIL WAR-ERA FLAG
Large Civil War-era flag, very possibly a regimental headquarters flag, once owned by a member of the 41st Wisconsin Infantry. The silk flag is in very fragile "relic" condition, and has been folded with newspaper interwoven between the folds, but it is extensively coming apart and shredding in multiple areas. Without spreading the flag open (and causing further damage), we examined the blue field, that is the field found at the upper-left of the American flag, which measures 43" x 30", therefore the overall size of the flag is very roughly 120" x 60" if proportional to today's American flag. It bears 13 stars embroidered on both sides in gold bullion, further adorned with circular sequins sewn from the center of the rays to the tips of each star, as well as inbetween. The stars encircle the number "13", likewise embroidered in gold bullion with the 6 1/2" tall letters, also enhanced with sequins, appearing on both sides of the flag. This flag, certainly contemporary to the Civil War, has been consigned by the great grandson of Corporal Charles W. Bailey. Bailey was born on an Indian reservation near Watertown, WI on Sep. 9, 1818 and enlisted in Co. E of the 41st Wisconsin on May 17, 1864. After serving garrison duty and repulsing guerilla attacks around Memphis, including an attack by Gen. Large Civil War-era flag, very possibly a regimental headquarters flag, once owned by a member of the 41st Wisconsin Infantry. The silk flag is in very fragile "relic" condition, and has been folded with newspaper interwoven between the folds, but it is extensively coming apart and shredding in multiple areas. Without spreading the flag open (and causing further damage), we examined the blue field, that is the field found at the upper-left of the American flag, which measures 43" x 30", therefore the overall size of the flag is very roughly 120" x 60" if proportional to today's American flag. It bears 13 stars embroidered on both sides in gold bullion, further adorned with circular sequins sewn from the center of the rays to the tips of each star, as well as in-between. The stars encircle the number "13", likewise embroidered in gold bullion with the 6 1/2" tall letters, also enhanced with sequins, appearing on both sides of the flag. This flag, certainly contemporary to the Civil War, has been consigned by the great grandson of Corporal Charles W. Bailey. Bailey was born on an Indian reservation near Watertown, WI on Sep. 9, 1818 and enlisted in Co. E of the 41st Wisconsin on May 17, 1864. After serving garrison duty and repulsing guerilla attacks around Memphis, including an attack by Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest on Aug. 21, 1864, Bailey returned to Wisconsin and re-enlisted in Co. G of the 47th Wisconsin on Jan. 18, 1865. He would serve in and around Nashville at the same time that the 13th Wisconsin was stationed there until mustering out on Sep. 4, 1865. We do know that Bailey attended many GAR encampments, attended the 1938 Gettysburg reunion, and became a reverend. We have found no regimental flag exactly matching our example, but many are similar. The silk construction is not typical of colors carried in the field, but not unheard of. Estimated accordingly, considering condition, construction and provenance.

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September 11, 2013 11:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
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$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
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