Flags 124th NY Flag

[on again]

Link at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/124th_New_York_Infantry_Regiment#/media/File:Flag_of_the_124th_Reg't_N.Y._Vols._Presented_by_the_ladies_of_Orange,_March,_1864._LCCN2016646172.jpg

By the way the Orange Blossoms experince at Battle of Chancellorsville inspired Stephen Crane to write the Red Badge of Courage

Captain Isaac Nicoll of Co. G, 124th New York Infantry Regiment. From the Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress

 

[on again]

what would tear the falg so badly? Artillery?

 

[Nathan Stuart]

That flag seems to have seen harder fighting than the regiment.

 

[milhistbuff1]

124th Standards NYS Mil. Museum

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Thought a lot of the flag deterioration may have been due to wear and tear from constant weather exposure. Is the age of that flag known? (It appears the flag was photographed in 1865).

 

[rpkennedy]

what would tear the falg so badly? Artillery?

Thought a lot of the flag deterioration may have been due to wear and tear from constant weather exposure. Is the age of that flag known? (It appears the flag was photographed in 1865).

Almost 2 years in the field from post-Gettysburg through the end of the war. During that time, the 124th New York suffered 255 casualties so that flag saw some hard service. And the weather probably caused some of the damage as well.

Ryan

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Almost 2 years in the field from post-Gettysburg through the end of the war. During that time, the 124th New York suffered 255 casualties so that flag saw some hard service. And the weather probably caused some of the damage as well.

Ryan

Could it have been an older flag that was acquired by the regiment for its period of field use - hence its substantial deterioration shown (over an extended time of usage)?

 

[Mississippian1861]

Could it have been an older flag that was acquired by the regiment for its period of field use - hence its substantial deterioration shown (over an extended time of usage)?

IIRC the 124th was part of the front line that hit the Mule Shoe at Spotsylvania, I wouldn't be surprised it ended up looking like that. Battle damage is seen as an honor.

 

[rpkennedy]

Could it have been an older flag that was acquired by the regiment for its period of field use - hence its substantial deterioration shown (over an extended time of usage)?

It seems to have been a brand new flag presented just in time for the Overland Campaign. So, that's what the flag looked like after just over a year of service. Wear and combat reduced it to shreds.

Ryan

 

[Nathan Stuart]

It seems to have been a brand new flag presented just in time for the Overland Campaign. So, that's what the flag looked like after just over a year of service. Wear and combat reduced it to shreds.

Ryan

Thanks, Ryan.

It appears then that the brand new flag was presented at the start of the Overland Campaign (i.e. during Mar., '64) and was later photographed at some time during the first half of '65, and before Jun. 21 (according to details accompanying the picture.)

Given its relatively short period of field use, and the successive heavy engagements fought by the 124th NY during the Overland Campaign period in '64, it seems the prepondering factor causing this severe flag wear and tear might have been combat, rather than bare weather exposure. (Supporting this finding is that it's noted that the flagstaff in the picture looks newish, compared to the tattered and worn flag material).

 

[milhistbuff1]

Thanks, Ryan.

It appears then that the brand new flag was presented at the start of the Overland Campaign (i.e. during Mar., '64) and was later photographed at some time during the first half of '65, and before Jun. 21 (according to details accompanying the picture.)

Given its relatively short period of field use, and the successive heavy engagements fought by the 124th NY during the Overland Campaign period in '64, it seems the prepondering factor causing this severe flag wear and tear might have been combat, rather than bare weather exposure. (Supporting this finding is that it's noted that the flagstaff in the picture looks newish, compared to the tattered and worn flag material).

Aye, the NY Military Museum link confirms and has other images. Sounds like damage was inflicted from Overland to end of war.

 

[Lampasas Bill]

Silk flags also took a lot of wear and tear from bushes and brambles. No doubt the Wilderness was full of them. The silk banner I made for Holmes' Brigade in the '80s got caught in a stickery bush while retreating during a Prarie Grove reenactment and would have been torn to shreds if we hadn't stopped and carefully disentangled it. In a real battle that wouldn't have been an option.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Silk flags also took a lot of wear and tear from bushes and brambles.

Was the same type of material commonly used for making Union regimental flags (banners) as for National flags carried by these regiments?

 

[Mississippian1861]

Was the same type of material commonly used for making Union regimental flags (banners) as for National flags carried by these regiments?

Yes, silk was the standard material for US military flags. Early CS flags were often silk but as that ran out wool bunting was commonly used.