CIVIL WAR CAVALRY GUIDON OF GENERAL GEORGE CROOK.

CIVIL WAR CAVALRY GUIDON OF GENERAL GEORGE CROOK. This is a fine conditioned 34 star regulation silk cavalry guidon, framed with an orig photograph of General George Crook in uniform and a letter concerning its provenance. 34 star flags became regulation on July 4, 1861, with the addition of the state of Kansas. This would remain official flag until July 4, 1863, with the addition of a 35th star for the state of West Virginia. It is interesting to note that these 34 star and 35 star guidons were used by the cavalry until 1882 when a new cavalry standard was adopted. Even when Custer met his maker at the Little Big Horn in 1876, when there were 38 states, 34 and 35 star Civil War guidons were being used, identical to this. General George Crook had a long and interesting military history. He graduated in 1852 from West Point and served in the West in Oregon and California until the Civil War began, where he was made Colonel of the 36th Ohio Infantry. Crook remained in the infantry up until 1863, about a year after his promotion to General, where he became commander of the 2nd Division of the Cavalry Corps in the Army of the Cumberland. The first battle his cavalry saw action was at Chickamauga. In February 1865 Crook was captured by Confederates at Cumberland, Maryland, and held for about a month until he was exchanged. He then took part at most of the cavalry battles leading to the surrender at Appomattox Court House. With the Civil War over, and Crook’s earlier experience with Indians in the West, he was immediately sent West to fight the Snake Indians. Crook was involved in most of the Indian campaigns until his sudden death in 1890. Historians argue whether Crook was too slow pressing his troops before the Battle of Little Big Horn, which could have resulted in a totally different outcome for Custer. Regardless of the history, this is a wonderful guidon with direct association with Crook. Whether or not we can believe he used it in both the Civil War and Indian Wars, the accompanying letter is real and the writer definitely believed what he was reporting. As an interesting note, this flag and letter were found in a unclaimed storage container near Chicago in 2006; I’ve never seen anything this cool in “Storage Wars”. PROVENANCE: General George Crook; Richard L. Blakesley. CONDITION: Flag overall is in very good condition, colors are excellent. There are areas of staining and numerous small tears and chips in the red and white stripes. All in all this is superior condition for most Civil War or Indian War guidons encountered. There is an inked number “292” on hoist, which is the only marking present. Albumen photograph of Crook in uniform appears excellent, though not examined out of frame. Typed letter in frame appears intact and easy to read, though the upper right quadrant of paper is missing. Accompanying flag is letter from genealogist explaining connection between the letter’s writer and George Crook. 4-49192 JS46 (40,000-50,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013

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
	2279	$34,500.00	CIVIL WAR CAVALRY GUIDON OF GENERAL GEORGE CROOK. This is a fine conditioned 34 star regulation silk cavalry guidon, framed with an orig photograph of General George Crook in uniform and a letter concerning its provenance. 34 star flags became regulation on July 4, 1861, with the addition of the state of Kansas. This would remain official flag until July 4, 1863, with the addition of a 35th star for the state of West Virginia. It is interesting to note that these 34 star and 35 star guidons were used by the cavalry until 1882 when a new cavalry standard was adopted. Even when Custer met his maker at the Little Big Horn in 1876, when there were 38 states, 34 and 35 star Civil War guidons were being used, identical to this. General George Crook had a long and interesting military history. He graduated in 1852 from West Point and served in the West in Oregon and California until the Civil War began, where he was made Colonel of the 36th Ohio Infantry. Crook remained in the infantry up until 1863, about a year after his promotion to General, where he became commander of the 2nd Division of the Cavalry Corps in the Army of the Cumberland. The first battle his cavalry saw action was at Chickamauga. In February 1865 Crook was captured by Confederates at Cumberland, Maryland, and held for about a month until he was exchanged. He then took part at most of the cavalry battles leading to the surrender at Appomattox Court House. With the Civil War over, and Crook’s earlier experience with Indians in the West, he was immediately sent West to fight the Snake Indians. Crook was involved in most of the Indian campaigns until his sudden death in 1890. Historians argue whether Crook was too slow pressing his troops before the Battle of Little Big Horn, which could have resulted in a totally different outcome for Custer. Regardless of the history, this is a wonderful guidon with direct association with Crook. Whether or not we can believe he used it in both the Civil War and Indian Wars, the accompanying letter is real and the writer definitely believed what he was reporting. As an interesting note, this flag and letter were found in a unclaimed storage container near Chicago in 2006; I’ve never seen anything this cool in “Storage Wars”. PROVENANCE: General George Crook; Richard L. Blakesley. CONDITION: Flag overall is in very good condition, colors are excellent. There are areas of staining and numerous small tears and chips in the red and white stripes. All in all this is superior condition for most Civil War or Indian War guidons encountered. There is an inked number “292” on hoist, which is the only marking present. Albumen photograph of Crook in uniform appears excellent, though not examined out of frame. Typed letter in frame appears intact and easy to read, though the upper right quadrant of paper is missing. Accompanying flag is letter from genealogist explaining connection between the letter’s writer and George Crook. 4-49192 JS46 (40,000-50,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013 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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