Trivia 2-27-17 special flag

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This flag was initially wrapped around a walking stick, then unfurled to be displayed. It was not only used to celebrate America's independence of the Crown, but also the South's independence. The display at the museum states that this is “the only known Confederate flag captured in California during the Civil War.”

credit: @Tennessee_Mountainman
 
The Biderman Flag.

IMG_0116.JPG The flag was known as the J.P. Gillis flag. It was "captured" by J. W. Biderman and it is also called the Biderman Flag. The flag is on display at the California State Capitol Museum.


On 4 July 1861, at Sacramento, California, Major J. P. Gillis decided to celebrate not only America’s independence from Britain, but also that of the South from the North.

At about 10 p.m., after an exhibition of fireworks, he unfurled a Confederate flag that had been wrapped around his walking stick, and marched up the boardwalk before the St. George Hotel at the corner of 4th and J Streets; most of those present appeared to be Southern sympathizers, pleased with the display of the flag.

Not all those viewing this scene approved of it, however: J. W. Biderman and Curtis Clark watchedwith anger. After Major Gillis had demonstrated his feelings, Biderman and Clark followed him; Biderman approached Gillis, caught him by the throat with his left hand, and, with his right, tore the flag from the stick, and put it in his pocket.

http://californiamilitaryhistory.org/BidermanFlag.html
 
"Biderman Flag" captured in Sacramento on July 4, 1861.

The only Confederate flag captured in California during the Civil War took place on July 4, 1861, in Sacramento. During Independence Day celebrations, secessionist Major J. P. Gillis celebrated the independence of the United States from Britain as well as the Southern states from the Union. He unfurled a Confederate flag of his own design and proceeded to march down the street to both the applause and jeers of onlookers. Jack Biderman and Curtis Clark, enraged by Gillis' actions, accosted him and "captured" the flag. The flag itself is based on the first Confederate flag, the Stars and Bars. However, the canton contains seventeen stars rather than the Confederate's seven. Because the flag was captured by Jack Biderman, it is often also referred to as the "Biderman flag".
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biderman.jpg
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http://americancivilwarinstitute.blogspot.com/2013/08/california-in-civil-war.html
 
It is known as the Biderman Flag for Jack Bilderman (he tore it away from Gills and the inscription reads: Rebel Flag. Captured 4 July 1861 by Jack Biderman) but some think it should be the (Major) J.P. Gills Flag, the gentleman responsible celebrating the 4th of July 1861 with his walking stick and flag. Interesting read and learning something every day.
http://www.militarymuseum.org/BidermanFlag.html
 
Um, now what is the question? Shall we post a picture of the flag?

I think you are referring to the Biderman Flag or J.P. Gillis Flag, named after Major J.P. Gillis, its owner, who had unfurled the flag and J. W. Biderman, who had opposed the unfurling.

bidermanflag.jpg

"The flag is made of silk, and is a variant of the first national flag, the Stars and Bars, of the Confederacy. The difference is, in place of the original seven stars in the canton, there are 17 white 5-pointed stars. Inscribed on the white bar in the middle is “Rebel Flag. Captured 4 July 1861. By Jack Biderman.”
The display at the museum states that this is “the only known Confederate flag captured in California during the Civil War.” It is truly a Californian flag, of unique design. Designated the “Biderman Flag,” it might better be named for Major J. P. Gills, its owner.

http://www.militarymuseum.org/BidermanFlag.html
 
The J.P. Gillis Flag, named after the person who carried and unfurled the flag. It is also known as the Biderman Flag, named after J.W. Biderman, the person who grabbed Gillis by the throat and ripped the flag away, putting it in his pocket and later using it to taunt secessionists to come and take it away from him.
 
the biderman flag of California

California and the Civil War
The Biderman Flag
bidermanflag.jpg

The J. P. Gillis Flag, or the “Biderman” Flag of California (California State Capitol Museum)


On 4 July 1861, at Sacramento, California, Major J. P. Gillis decided to celebrate not only America’s independence from Britain, but also that of the South from the North.

At about 10 p.m., after an exhibition of fireworks, he unfurled a Confederate flag that had been wrapped around his walking stick, and marched up the boardwalk before the St. George Hotel at the corner of 4th and J Streets; most of those present appeared to be Southern sympathizers, pleased with the display of the flag.

Not all those viewing this scene approved of it, however: J. W. Biderman and Curtis Clark watchedwith anger. After Major Gillis had demonstrated his feelings, Biderman and Clark followed him; Biderman approached Gillis, caught him by the throat with his left hand, and, with his right, tore the flag from the stick, and put it in his pocket.

The account of the incident in the Sacramento Daily Union did not reveal the relative sizes or ages of the two antagonists; the Major was apparently a fighter, and called out to the crowd for a knife, but, no one proffering a weapon, Biderman’s assault was successful. He cried out that “no such flag as that could be carried in this town” in his presence, and left the scene, taking the flag with him.

Biderman subsequently brought a large number of friends to the St. George; they waved the flag and invited any “secessionists” to come and take it. No one tried. Major Gillis later “earnestly pled for the flag’s return,” but to no avail.

There seems to be no record of how or when, but the flag became the property of the California State Capitol Museum. The flag is made of silk, and is a variant of the first national flag, the Stars and Bars, of the Confederacy. The difference is, in place of the original seven stars in the canton, there are 17 white 5-pointed stars. Inscribed on the white bar in the middle is “Rebel Flag. Captured 4 July 1861. By Jack Biderman.”

The display at the museum states that this is “the only known Confederate flag captured in California during the Civil War.” It is truly a Californian flag, of unique design. Designated the “Biderman Flag,” it might better be named for Major J. P. Gills, its owner.

The incident that occurred on the streets of California’s capitol city on July 4, 1861, and the flag that brought it about, are prophetic and symbolic of the secessionist movement in the state: open advocation and defence of the cause, defeat by a more powerful adversary, and all of this forgotten by history with only a battered memento remaining.

-- Laurence Talbott, California in the War for Southern Independence, xi-xii,
 
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