Revised: 9/28/2015

Please Note: Since preparing the catalog description an in-depth report has been provided by noted flag expert, Greg Biggs. A description notes that the U.S. Naval Institute, where this flag was at one time on loan, identified this as a “Richmond Depot” flag. Mr. Bigg’s research has determined that it is actually a “Charleston Depot” flag.

FINE AND HISTORIC CONFEDERATE 2ND NATIONAL NAVAL FLAG CAPTURED BY THE 121ST NEW YORK INFANTRY DURING THE CIVIL WAR POSSIBLY FROM TUCKER’S NAVAL BATTALION AT SAILOR’S CREEK.

This Richmond Depot manufactured flag measures about 8′ x 12′ and was a typical ensign found on Confederate naval vessels and quite possibly the unaccounted for 3rd Tucker Brigade flag captured at Sailor’s Creek. This flag was on loan from the consignor “The Sleepy Hollow & Tarrytown Historical Society” to the Naval Historical Center for many years where it was studied and displayed. The orig tag from the curator of the Department of Navy Historical Society Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC is still tied to hoist. This well made flag is totally hand sewn with a canton measuring about 64″ x 60″. The entire height of hoist of flag measures 93-1/2″. Greg Biggs’ report on this flag gives more exacting measurements and proportions of this flag. The white field and red cloth of canton are loosely woven single-ply wool bunting as are the 8″ cut-through stars. The blue bunting that holds the stars is a more tightly woven single-ply bunting. The hoist measures 3″ of folded over linen forming a 1-1/2″ sleeve for rope which is still knotted with loops at each end. This is a beautiful and well presented naval flag, quite possibly captured at the Battle of Sailor’s Creek, April 6, 1865. “In the last desperate effort of Lee to save his army, the regiment (121st New York) in close combat with a brigade of Confederate marines, suffered severely, but captured several hundred prisoners and two stand of colors… By special request, the War Department gave the regiment permission to carry their captured battle flags to New York with them, and they marched down Broadway with their own colors, tattered and torn by shot and shell, and triumphantly carried their seven captured battle flags”. This quote was taken from a historical sketch of the 121st on the New York State Military Museum website where other information concerning unit and their captured flags are noted. Though we cannot be positive as to the ID of this flag, what we state is quite likely and knowing the history of the “Historical Society of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow being founding in 1889 where a small number of veterans of the Tarrytown Brigade of the Union Army (which served in the NY 32nd and NY 121st), having a profound interest in American history, combined their collections and established what is now called The Historical Society of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, New York. One of the items donated was this Confederate naval flag…for decades, the flag hung in one of the two houses owned by the Historical Society. Nearly 20 years ago, it was loaned to the Naval Historical Center in Washington, DC (returned in 2010)…the 121st captured 8 Confederate flags at the Second Battle of Rappahannock Station and Sailor’s Creek; it is possible that the flag was taken during one of these actions…it is worth noting that the Historical Society retains fragments of the flag that flew over the capital in Richmond, signed by the Tarrytown soldiers who cut the flag down” (the 121st was the first unit to enter Richmond, April 2-3, 1865 according to NY State Museum website). Accompanying historical essay by CS flag expert and vexillologist Greg Biggs. CONDITION: Very good overall, strong bright colors, stitching strong and complete. There are scattered areas of moth tracking on red and white bunting. There are several larger holes which are quite possibly battle damage, the largest being about 6″ x 2″. The several larger holes have a discoloration at their perimeters, almost a yellow halo not seen on moth tracking. Flag is overall sound and solid with one 6″ tear repaired in white field through fimbration with a doubled up “S” twist thread which shows repair which was most likely early. There is some wear on either corner of fly and there is an approximate 5″ x 6″ piece missing from the bottom corner at fly where possibly souvenired. 49636-1 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 3356

Click here to view provenance

Auction: Firearms - October 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3356	$21,275.00	Revised: 9/28/2015 Please Note: Since preparing the catalog description an in-depth report has been provided by noted flag expert, Greg Biggs. A description notes that the U.S. Naval Institute, where this flag was at one time on loan, identified this as a “Richmond Depot” flag. Mr. Bigg’s research has determined that it is actually a “Charleston Depot” flag. FINE AND HISTORIC CONFEDERATE 2ND NATIONAL NAVAL FLAG CAPTURED BY THE 121ST NEW YORK INFANTRY DURING THE CIVIL WAR POSSIBLY FROM TUCKER’S NAVAL BATTALION AT SAILOR’S CREEK. This Richmond Depot manufactured flag measures about 8′ x 12′ and was a typical ensign found on Confederate naval vessels and quite possibly the unaccounted for 3rd Tucker Brigade flag captured at Sailor’s Creek. This flag was on loan from the consignor “The Sleepy Hollow & Tarrytown Historical Society” to the Naval Historical Center for many years where it was studied and displayed. The orig tag from the curator of the Department of Navy Historical Society Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC is still tied to hoist. This well made flag is totally hand sewn with a canton measuring about 64″ x 60″. The entire height of hoist of flag measures 93-1/2″. Greg Biggs’ report on this flag gives more exacting measurements and proportions of this flag. The white field and red cloth of canton are loosely woven single-ply wool bunting as are the 8″ cut-through stars. The blue bunting that holds the stars is a more tightly woven single-ply bunting. The hoist measures 3″ of folded over linen forming a 1-1/2″ sleeve for rope which is still knotted with loops at each end. This is a beautiful and well presented naval flag, quite possibly captured at the Battle of Sailor’s Creek, April 6, 1865. “In the last desperate effort of Lee to save his army, the regiment (121st New York) in close combat with a brigade of Confederate marines, suffered severely, but captured several hundred prisoners and two stand of colors… By special request, the War Department gave the regiment permission to carry their captured battle flags to New York with them, and they marched down Broadway with their own colors, tattered and torn by shot and shell, and triumphantly carried their seven captured battle flags”. This quote was taken from a historical sketch of the 121st on the New York State Military Museum website where other information concerning unit and their captured flags are noted. Though we cannot be positive as to the ID of this flag, what we state is quite likely and knowing the history of the “Historical Society of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow being founding in 1889 where a small number of veterans of the Tarrytown Brigade of the Union Army (which served in the NY 32nd and NY 121st), having a profound interest in American history, combined their collections and established what is now called The Historical Society of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, New York. One of the items donated was this Confederate naval flag…for decades, the flag hung in one of the two houses owned by the Historical Society. Nearly 20 years ago, it was loaned to the Naval Historical Center in Washington, DC (returned in 2010)…the 121st captured 8 Confederate flags at the Second Battle of Rappahannock Station and Sailor’s Creek; it is possible that the flag was taken during one of these actions…it is worth noting that the Historical Society retains fragments of the flag that flew over the capital in Richmond, signed by the Tarrytown soldiers who cut the flag down” (the 121st was the first unit to enter Richmond, April 2-3, 1865 according to NY State Museum website). Accompanying historical essay by CS flag expert and vexillologist Greg Biggs. CONDITION: Very good overall, strong bright colors, stitching strong and complete. There are scattered areas of moth tracking on red and white bunting. There are several larger holes which are quite possibly battle damage, the largest being about 6″ x 2″. The several larger holes have a discoloration at their perimeters, almost a yellow halo not seen on moth tracking. Flag is overall sound and solid with one 6″ tear repaired in white field through fimbration with a doubled up “S” twist thread which shows repair which was most likely early. There is some wear on either corner of fly and there is an approximate 5″ x 6″ piece missing from the bottom corner at fly where possibly souvenired. 49636-1 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 3356 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - October 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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FINE AND HISTORIC CONFEDERATE 2ND NATIONAL NAVAL FLAG CAPTURED BY THE 121ST NEW YORK INFANTRY DURING THE CIVIL WAR POSSIBLY FROM TUCKER’S NAVAL BATTALION AT SAILOR’S CREEK.