EXCEPTIONAL CONFEDERATE STARS & BARS OF JOHN B. G. “KENNEDY’S BATTALION OF ORLEANS” PARRISH, LOUISIANA, WITH GILT-PAINTED LETTERING IN THE CANTON.

EXCEPTIONAL CONFEDERATE STARS & BARS OF JOHN B. G. “KENNEDY’S BATTALION OF ORLEANS” PARRISH, LOUISIANA, WITH GILT-PAINTED LETTERING IN THE CANTON. Extraordinary, Stars & Bars format, flank-scale, confederate regimental battle flag with one of the most desired traits in flag collecting. This is the rare presence of gilded lettering in the canton that reads: Kennedy’s Battalion Of Orleans! First National pattern Confederate flags that share this highly sought-after feature, are practically non-existent outside museums and state collections. The sale of this flag at public auction presents a very, very rare opportunity. The overall construction of the flag is of commensurate quality. The metallic bullion fringe and 11 stars (separately sewn to each side) were probably obtained in Paris. The French had long been the master-producers of this type of decorative trim. The sequins and fancifully twisted wire were typically made of precious metal, traditionally with a content of approximately 98% silver and 2% gold (to add a yellow tone and deter tarnishing). The stars are created by the layering of spiral wire and sequins, and their three-dimensional form adds even more visual impact to the bold, circular text. The canton and stripes are made of fine silk. The lettering is hand painted in the metallic gold often seen on the highest quality American battle flags of the 19th century. The canton is pieced in two vertical sections, which represents careful conservation of available fabrics. This is typical of most 19th C. flags, both those made during and outside times of war, but it can be more readily expected in a wartime example. In August of 1861, the 5th LA Inf Battalion, a.k.a. “Kennedy’s Battalion of Orleans”, was sworn into Confederate Service at Columbus, KY. Commanded by Lt. Col. John B. G. Kennedy, the group had formerly been part of the LA Militia, which was formed in 1860, and its men were from the Orleans Parrish. The battalion was sent to Columbus by Gov. Moore, to protect the “Columbus Line” along the Mississippi River. This included the town, itself, plus the Madrid Bend of the Mississippi and Island #10. Gov. Moore was responding to Sec. of War Leroy P. Walker’s March 9th, 1861 appeal to LA for 1,700 troops, which were requested to protect the Mississippi defenses. The LA Legislature approved the request on March 15th, 1861 and authorized the equipping of state troops. On Nov. 7th of that year, the Kennedy Battalion fought against Gen. Grant at The Battle of Belmont. Neither side fought well, but Grant believed his attack against Columbus prevented the Confederates from invading Missouri. On Feb. 9th, 1862, the Kennedy Battalion of Orleans was reorganized into the 21st LA Inf, again commanded by John B. G. Kennedy. The newly formed regiment was again ordered to strengthen Island #10, which controlled primary access to the Mississippi. On Feb. 23rd, 1862, a portion of the regiment began to construct batteries for heavy artillery pieces. Then, on March 17th, 1862, the regiment left for Fort Pillow, serving the garrison there until the fort was evacuated in May. The regiment went on to Corinth, where they fought a skirmish at Bridge Creek. It then joined a larger portion of the Confederate Army, traveling to Tupelo, where, on July 28th, Gen. Bragg ordered the regiment disbanded by Special Order #222. So Kennedy’s Battalion (5th LA), then Regt (21st LA), served from August 1861 to July 28th, 1862. Very little is known about John B.G. Kennedy. He enlisted at the rank of Lt. Col. and was later promoted to Col, though the date of his enlistment and former residence are unknown. After the regiment disbanded, Kennedy spent the remainder of the war trying to get reinstated. In fact, it appears that went so far as to falsify orders, having been branded a “Thief and Impostor” by the Inspector Gen.’s Office on November 13th, 1862. He afterwards traveled to Augusta, GA and attempted, without success, to become a purchasing agent. Since Kennedy’s Battalion became Kennedy’s Regiment in 1862, one can be sure that the flag was made around the time that Kennedy’s Battalion was mustered into active service. It may have been brought out again, to be carried by Kennedy’s Regt, though it would not have been made specifically for that unit, with the name “Battalion” on the flag. The flag’s known specific history of use, when combined with such extraordinary graphics and a small, though impressive, easily displayable size, result in one of the most interesting Stars & Bars that we have ever offered for sale. PROVENANCE: Special thanks to Bill Floyd for information on the Kennedy Battalion. Sources: Guide to Louisiana Confederate Military Units by Arthur Bergeron Military Record of Louisiana by Napier Bartlett Microfilm Publication 320, Roll#316 Compendium of the Confederate Armies: Louisiana by Stewart Sifakis CONDITION: Flag has been pressure mounted in an archival manner between 100% cotton velvet and u.v. protective acrylic. Frame is a black painted and gilded example of the highest quality. Approx 50% of the white silk in the central bar is absent, along with about 5% of the same fabric in the sleeve area. These were masked by placing silk fabric of similar coloration behind the orig white, during the conservation process. Silk of this period almost always experiences breakdown due to addition of weighting agents that were caustic to the fabric over time. These weighting agents increased the amount of money that a merchant could obtain for the silk, sold be the pound instead of by length. The other two red bars have faded to a very attractive salmon color. They were never truly red, but were a strong pink, like a blood red sky. Royal blue, as usual, retains strong color. Fringe and stars are in very good condition. Lettering has experienced some paint loss. 4-32853 JB2 (35,000-55,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007

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
	1446C	$0.00	EXCEPTIONAL CONFEDERATE STARS & BARS OF JOHN B. G. “KENNEDY’S BATTALION OF ORLEANS” PARRISH, LOUISIANA, WITH GILT-PAINTED LETTERING IN THE CANTON. Extraordinary, Stars & Bars format, flank-scale, confederate regimental battle flag with one of the most desired traits in flag collecting. This is the rare presence of gilded lettering in the canton that reads: Kennedy’s Battalion Of Orleans! First National pattern Confederate flags that share this highly sought-after feature, are practically non-existent outside museums and state collections. The sale of this flag at public auction presents a very, very rare opportunity. The overall construction of the flag is of commensurate quality. The metallic bullion fringe and 11 stars (separately sewn to each side) were probably obtained in Paris. The French had long been the master-producers of this type of decorative trim. The sequins and fancifully twisted wire were typically made of precious metal, traditionally with a content of approximately 98% silver and 2% gold (to add a yellow tone and deter tarnishing). The stars are created by the layering of spiral wire and sequins, and their three-dimensional form adds even more visual impact to the bold, circular text. The canton and stripes are made of fine silk. The lettering is hand painted in the metallic gold often seen on the highest quality American battle flags of the 19th century. The canton is pieced in two vertical sections, which represents careful conservation of available fabrics. This is typical of most 19th C. flags, both those made during and outside times of war, but it can be more readily expected in a wartime example. In August of 1861, the 5th LA Inf Battalion, a.k.a. “Kennedy’s Battalion of Orleans”, was sworn into Confederate Service at Columbus, KY. Commanded by Lt. Col. John B. G. Kennedy, the group had formerly been part of the LA Militia, which was formed in 1860, and its men were from the Orleans Parrish. The battalion was sent to Columbus by Gov. Moore, to protect the “Columbus Line” along the Mississippi River. This included the town, itself, plus the Madrid Bend of the Mississippi and Island #10. Gov. Moore was responding to Sec. of War Leroy P. Walker’s March 9th, 1861 appeal to LA for 1,700 troops, which were requested to protect the Mississippi defenses. The LA Legislature approved the request on March 15th, 1861 and authorized the equipping of state troops. On Nov. 7th of that year, the Kennedy Battalion fought against Gen. Grant at The Battle of Belmont. Neither side fought well, but Grant believed his attack against Columbus prevented the Confederates from invading Missouri. On Feb. 9th, 1862, the Kennedy Battalion of Orleans was reorganized into the 21st LA Inf, again commanded by John B. G. Kennedy. The newly formed regiment was again ordered to strengthen Island #10, which controlled primary access to the Mississippi. On Feb. 23rd, 1862, a portion of the regiment began to construct batteries for heavy artillery pieces. Then, on March 17th, 1862, the regiment left for Fort Pillow, serving the garrison there until the fort was evacuated in May. The regiment went on to Corinth, where they fought a skirmish at Bridge Creek. It then joined a larger portion of the Confederate Army, traveling to Tupelo, where, on July 28th, Gen. Bragg ordered the regiment disbanded by Special Order #222. So Kennedy’s Battalion (5th LA), then Regt (21st LA), served from August 1861 to July 28th, 1862. Very little is known about John B.G. Kennedy. He enlisted at the rank of Lt. Col. and was later promoted to Col, though the date of his enlistment and former residence are unknown. After the regiment disbanded, Kennedy spent the remainder of the war trying to get reinstated. In fact, it appears that went so far as to falsify orders, having been branded a “Thief and Impostor” by the Inspector Gen.’s Office on November 13th, 1862. He afterwards traveled to Augusta, GA and attempted, without success, to become a purchasing agent. Since Kennedy’s Battalion became Kennedy’s Regiment in 1862, one can be sure that the flag was made around the time that Kennedy’s Battalion was mustered into active service. It may have been brought out again, to be carried by Kennedy’s Regt, though it would not have been made specifically for that unit, with the name “Battalion” on the flag. The flag’s known specific history of use, when combined with such extraordinary graphics and a small, though impressive, easily displayable size, result in one of the most interesting Stars & Bars that we have ever offered for sale. PROVENANCE: Special thanks to Bill Floyd for information on the Kennedy Battalion. Sources: Guide to Louisiana Confederate Military Units by Arthur Bergeron Military Record of Louisiana by Napier Bartlett Microfilm Publication 320, Roll#316 Compendium of the Confederate Armies: Louisiana by Stewart Sifakis CONDITION: Flag has been pressure mounted in an archival manner between 100% cotton velvet and u.v. protective acrylic. Frame is a black painted and gilded example of the highest quality. Approx 50% of the white silk in the central bar is absent, along with about 5% of the same fabric in the sleeve area. These were masked by placing silk fabric of similar coloration behind the orig white, during the conservation process. Silk of this period almost always experiences breakdown due to addition of weighting agents that were caustic to the fabric over time. These weighting agents increased the amount of money that a merchant could obtain for the silk, sold be the pound instead of by length. The other two red bars have faded to a very attractive salmon color. They were never truly red, but were a strong pink, like a blood red sky. Royal blue, as usual, retains strong color. Fringe and stars are in very good condition. Lettering has experienced some paint loss. 4-32853 JB2 (35,000-55,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007 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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