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FEDERAL FLAGS

Each Federal infantry regiment was authorized two flags. By Regulations, each flag was to be 72" high and 78" wide and made of silk. The first flag was the National Color, the "dear Old Flag". The second banner was the Regimental Color.  Although most regiments were presented their colors prior to leaving for the war, some did not receive them until they were in the field for many months.  At Pea Ridge, the 9th Iowa Infantry did not have any colors, so they used a small "Stars & Stripes" brought from home by one of the company commanders as their battleflag. 

US National flag. The flag is a large square with thirteen red and white stripes. There is a blue field in the upper left corner. There are 33 yellow stars in the field. Federal Army National Battleflag.  There were no regulations governing the layout of the stars on the national flag. Some flags had the stars arraigned in rows with either a square or rectangular canton (blue field), while others had the stars arranged in two-ovals within a rectangular canton.  

Image by Devereaux D. Cannon, Jr.
                  

 

  
US regimental flag. The flag is a large blue square with an eagle with its wings outstretched in the center. There is a red scroll beneath the eagle stating "1st Infantry Regiment".

Federal Army Regimental Battleflag.  According to the regulations, this was to be dark blue, with a large national emblem.  Many times, other designs were substituted.  The  regimental flag of the 37th Illinois (the Fremont Rifles) had a large portrait of General Fremont on one side and scenes from the General's career on the other.  The9th Iowa's regimental flag was white with Iowa's state seal on one side and red with the Massachusetts seal on the other. 

Image by Devereaux D. Cannon, Jr.
Colorized by Steven Burt

 

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Last updated on: October 11, 2003
Written by: Interpretation Staff
http://www.nps.gov/peri/fed_flags

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