"Federal Flag" carried in Civil War

kclaibo

Cadet
Joined
Mar 4, 2018
I have inherited a flag that was carried by my great grandfather (documented by his son via interview) who served in the 25th Reg. Missouri Infantry. The flag measures about 41" x 61" - believe a 34 star flag with eagle in the canton
Flag full view.jpg
Flag closeup stitching.jpg
. Was stored in a manila envelope by my family for the last 60 years. Any information would be helpful. Have uploaded pictures.
 
Welcome and Congratulations !

Twenty-fifth Infantry
MISSOURI
(3-YEARS)
Twenty-fifth Infantry. -- Cols., Everett Peabody, Chester
Harding, Jr., Lieut.- Col., Robert T. Van Horn, Majs., James
E. Powell, Fred C. Nichols.

This regiment was first organized in June, 1861, from the
Home; Guard battalions of Majs. Peabody, Van Horn and Berry,
and was first known as the 13th Mo. infantry. Late in the
fall it was reorganized and designated as the 25th.

In the meantime it had been engaged in guarding the Hannibal &
St. Joseph railroad, until a good portion of it was
surrendered to Price's forces at Lexington by Col. Mulligan.
After the exchange of prisoners the reorganization took place
and it was ordered to Pittsburg landing, Tenn., arriving there
in time to take part in the battle of Shiloh.

It was in the campaign against Corinth, Miss., and in the fall
of 1862 was sent home to recruit. It was then on duty in
Missouri until the fall of 1863, when it was consolidated with
the 1st regiment, Missouri engineers, the order for the
consolidation being dated Nov. 22, 1863.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 4, p. 265

*********************************************************************************

Shiloh after battle report:

Report of Lieut. Col. Robert T. Van Horn,
Twenty-fifth Missouri Infantry.

HDQRS. TWENTY-FIFTH REGT. MO. VOLS, FIRST BRIG.,
SIXTH DIVISION, ARMY OF WEST TENNESSEE,
Near Pittsburg Landing, April 9, 1862.
CAPT.: I have the honor herewith to submit a report of the part
taken by the regiment under my command in the battles of the 6th and
7th instant. The regiment occupied the right of the First Brigade,
commanded by Col. Peabody, acting brigadier-general, and had the
honor of opening the fight on the 6th, the attack being made on its front
at 3 o'clock in the morning. By order of the acting brigadier-general
three companies-Capt.'s Schmitz, Company B; Eveans, Company E,
and Dill, Company H-under Maj. Powell, were dispatched to engage
the enemy's advance, which was successfully done until reinforced by
the Twenty-first Missouri, under Col. Moore. The fighting now
became general and heavy, and I was ordered to support with the whole
regiment. The enemy had now reached within the distance of half a mile
of the encampment, where they were checked and held until near 7
o'clock, when our force fell back to the line of encampment, where
another stand was made. The fighting was very severe until 8 o'clock,
when we were compelled to fall back still farther behind our
encampments on the division, which had by this time formed in line of
battle on an elevation in our rear. My regiment had by this time become
badly cut up, but they rallied and took position on the right of the
Twelfth Michigan, with the loss of several of my most valuable officers.
The fighting now became most determined, and continued with little
intermission for three hours. The enemy, being thrice repulsed, finally
moved to our left.

It was in this part of the engagement that Maj. James E. Powell, a
most valuable officer and brave soldier, fell mortally wounded, and
Sergt. Matthew Euler, color-bearer, was killed, clinging to the staff until
it had to be disengaged from his grasp by Sergeant Simmons, who took
his place. My command was after this detached to colonel Hildebrand,
acting brigadier-general, where it remained, without taking any decisive
part in the engagement for the remainder of the day.

On the 7th I was placed with the First Missouri Battery near the river,
except one company, under Capt. William Millar, who was attached
to the Seventh Iowa (Col. Crocker), where, I am gratified to state,
this brave officer rendered efficient service.

I beg particularly to mention Capt.'s Wade, Millar, and Donnelly, and
Lieut.'s Bradshaw, Newberry, John H. Millar, and Singleton, for
bravery displayed in the most trying periods of the fight: but where
so many did well it is difficult to discriminate. I mention these as
coming particularly under my own observation. I must also be permitted
to bear testimony to the distinguished bravery of Maj. James E.
Powell, who fell in the hottest of the battle, cheering on his men. He
was an officer in the Regular Army.

I have to report Surg. John T. Berghoff as missing, but whether a
prisoner or not it is impossible to say, as he has been in camp once
since the battle. He was at the hospital in front on yesterday, but
supposed to be cut off by rebel pickets.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. T. VAN HORN,
Lieut.-Col., Comdg. Twenty-fifth Missouri Volunteers.

Capt. HENRY BINMORE,
A. A. G., Sixth Div., Army of West Tenn.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 10. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 10

*********************************************************************************
 
Welcome From The heart Of Dixie. Your flag is a period CW flag as it has all the tell tell hallmarks. On flags this large and the limitations of the fabric looms in 1860 the cloth could only make so wide and then they they had to be sewn which is why you see the seam. Unfortunately this in NOT a regimental or battle flag but is a parade flag.
 
Welcome From The heart Of Dixie. Your flag is a period CW flag as it has all the tell tell hallmarks. On flags this large and the limitations of the fabric looms in 1860 the cloth could only make so wide and then they they had to be sewn which is why you see the seam. Unfortunately this in NOT a regimental or battle flag but is a parade flag.[/QUOTE
 
Welcome From The heart Of Dixie. Your flag is a period CW flag as it has all the tell tell hallmarks. On flags this large and the limitations of the fabric looms in 1860 the cloth could only make so wide and then they they had to be sewn which is why you see the seam. Unfortunately this in NOT a regimental or battle flag but is a parade flag.
Understood. Have been informed it may have been used as a camp flag during his service. Wondering how unique the design is as I cannot find any other like it at this size posted on the web anywhere
 
Here is a close up of the note that was typed by the son of the owner and has been pinned to flag.View attachment 179472

James Claibourne :
Enlisted and mustered on 11/23/1861 at Holt County, MO as a Private. On 11/22/1863 he transferred into "G" Co. MO 1st Engineers. Born in 1841. Died in 1918. Buried: Mt Olive Cemty, Fremont Co, IA. After the War he lived in Sidney, IA.

james claibourne.jpg
 
Welcome aboard!

I am a Park Ranger at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center, a unit of Shiloh National Military Park. As other members have noted, the 25th was in the Battle of Shiloh, the Siege of Corinth, and served for a short time in the garrison of Corinth. If you would be interested in donating the flag to the park it would be a welcome addition to the Shiloh collection. Here at Corinth we have on permanent display the flags of the Corinth Rifles (9th Mississippi), the 6th Missouri Infantry (CSA) and the 11th Mississippi Infantry. At the Shiloh visitor center are the flags of the 51st Tennessee Infantry, a large United States flag with "Pittsburg Landing" emblazoned, a U.S. cavalry guideon and a new U.S. flag that was recently donated and is undergoing restoration. The museum in the Shiloh visitor center is getting a facelift this year, a good reason for folks who have been to the park to plan for another visit.

It is an exceptional flag!

Tom
 
Back
Top