8/17/2019 Flags_to_Fight_Under_Union_I.pdf
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Flags to Fight “Under” Part II – Union
Flags
By Robert C Sweeney Jr
Traditionally and by regulation; all United States Regiments of
Infantry had two colors: a National color (the Stars
and Stripes) and a Regimental color which bore the Coat of Arms
of the United States or some other device. By military
definition, “colors” is meant to indicate the Nationals and
Regimental flags carried by foot troops; “standards” is meant
toindicate the National and Regimental flags of mounted troops
(normally smaller in size than colors).
Although the Stars and Stripes was the most often carried
Regimental Flag (usually with Regimental ID sewn into
the 4th red stripe); many Militia and State Regiments used
a colorful variety of flags to identify their individual units.
Surprisingly, many States did not have or create a State Flag
until after the conflict and those that did – bear
little
resemblance to the flags flown by those States today. Regimental
Flags could be made of various shades of blue
backgrounds with State, City or other Emblems applied. Others
would be handmade by local organizations or regions which
sponsored the unit. Still others would be modified or historic
flags used at the whim of the Regiment (a common tactic was
to reuse old flags or to add or remove stars from current or
past National colors). Note: Some colors were sewn so that the
image sewn on the front is reversed on the rear
– this is the pattern I have chosen to use. Others were
made in pairs and
sewn so that the images are the same from either viewing.
OK, so I would like to make my battlefield more colorful, my
Regiments easier to identify and separate from the
masses and to do so at the least cost possible. So after much
research (and some minor creativity) – I have found
some
flags to share with my JRIII breathern. Most of these images
came from the Internet. I tried to use publically available
sources such as State, Museum and Re-enactor sites. To my
knowledge, none of these images are copyrighted nor bore a
request of acknowledgement. If I have erred, I humbly apologize.
Further, some of the images have either been created
from scratch or are modified images using my poor skills
– interpretations are my own and if in error
– feel free not to use
them. Normally, I use a “two foot rule” – if it looks good
at two feet or further – it’s good enough for my gaming
purposes. I
have presented the flags so that they may be “cut out” and used
with 15mm miniatures and the flag on the left side is most
often the “inverted mirror” of the image on the right.
National Colors
The 33 Star Flags
Official 33 Star Flag adopted July
4, 1859
33 Star Ft Sumter Pattern
33 Star “Great Star” Pattern
33 Star “Diamond” Pattern
The 34 Star Flags
Official 34 Star Flag adopted July
4, 1861
34 Star 13/34 Variant
34 Star “Cluster” Pattern
34 Star “Great Star” Pattern –
spaces on hoist side intentional
34 Star “Phalanx” Pattern
The 35 Star Flags
Official 35 Star Flag adopted July
4, 1863
35 Star “Oval” Pattern
National Flag Variants
34 Star “Wheel” Pattern – used
mainly by NJ Regiments
34 Star “Six Row” Variant – carriedby some WVa
Regiments
“Eagle” Regimental
