CONFEDERATE 13 STAR 1ST NATIONAL FLAG CAPTURED BY THE 27TH ILLINOIS INFANTRY POSSIBLY A FLAG OF THE 7TH TENN-CAVALRY AT UNION CITY.

CONFEDERATE 13 STAR 1ST NATIONAL FLAG CAPTURED BY THE 27TH ILLINOIS INFANTRY POSSIBLY A FLAG OF THE 7TH TENN-CAVALRY AT UNION CITY. This beautiful, well crafted silk flag measuring 76″ x 45″, with the motto “Victory or Death” painted around another device which only the word “confederacy” can be read now. This flag has been professionally conserved and never before offered. A conservation report from Conservator and Letter of Provenance and history accompanies this flag. Inscribed in ink, on the top red bar, is soldier’s name who captured this flag, which reads: “Franklin Mott, Co D, 27th Illinois Infantry”. The 27th Illinois had a very good fighting history. They began their service in counties along the Mississippi River and were part of Grant’s forces in the 1862 campaign to capture Island No. 10. The 27th Illinois were among the first, if not the very first regiment, to set foot on Island No. 10 after the evacuation by the Confederates. There are accounts of several flags being captured in this campaign. Several accounts in newspapers and unit histories note capture of a number of flags. Col. Hans Heg of the 15th Wisconsin reported “my boys captured Seccesh flags of very elegant silk…”. It is interesting to note, according to letter of provenance by Greg Biggs, that after Island No. 10 “…began on March 31st, 1862. The 27th Illinois, and the rest of Napoleon Buford’s Brigade attacked the Confederate camp at Union City, Tennessee which held the right flank of the Island Number Ten defenses. This camp was held by the 21st Tennessee Infantry and the newly formed 7th Tennessee Cavalry. Bother units were routed and 4-5 flags were captured (depending on what report is read), only one of which has been located today. Col. Buford, in overall command of the expedition stated, “we captured three large flags and two guidons, all of silk, and one of them with elegantly embroidered letters, “Victory or Death.” It is interesting that Buford made note of flags taken at Union City instead of Island Number Ten in his Official Records reports.” Possibly, with a little more research, the actual unit this battle flag was captured from can be ascertained. This flag as conserved will frame and display beautifully. SIZE: 76″ x 45″. CONDITION: In accompanying research, Flag is most likely captured during the Island #10 campaign and one of the 7th Tenn-Cavalry flag’s makes a good hypothesis, if only the flag’s central device could be deduced. Flag as conserved is very good overall. Silk is quite supple and not brittle as so much silk on other wartime flags we see. There is much loss of blue coloration in the canton. Canton now only has ghosts of its orig bright blue field, several irregular holes in canton possibly caused by battle damage. The canton is double sided and the 13 stars are directly appliqued to each side. At least 2 of the stars are made from multiple pieces of cloth. Stars are mostly complete and in good condition. Central white bar is triple sided with the words “Victory or Death” applied to on surface. Due to acid content of paint eating away silk parts of each of these letters are missing and are now re-backed by conservator. The opposite piece of silk is missing mostly in the center, where a motto and unknown motif once were. The words “Confederacy” is still seen, bled through to the center white bar, and possibly the word “Southern” was there too. The two red bars are single layer silk edged with a narrow silk tape folded over each side to provide and exterior border and reinforcement. The single sided red bars retain excellent color, thougha s seen in pictures a small percentage of red striped material is missing. Orig attachment to pole is not visible, as when flag was captured attachments were probably left on pole, so typical to captured flags. 8-76266 JS27 (40,000-60,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010

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
	2331	$34,500.00	CONFEDERATE 13 STAR 1ST NATIONAL FLAG CAPTURED BY THE 27TH ILLINOIS INFANTRY POSSIBLY A FLAG OF THE 7TH TENN-CAVALRY AT UNION CITY. This beautiful, well crafted silk flag measuring 76″ x 45″, with the motto “Victory or Death” painted around another device which only the word “confederacy” can be read now. This flag has been professionally conserved and never before offered. A conservation report from Conservator and Letter of Provenance and history accompanies this flag. Inscribed in ink, on the top red bar, is soldier’s name who captured this flag, which reads: “Franklin Mott, Co D, 27th Illinois Infantry”. The 27th Illinois had a very good fighting history. They began their service in counties along the Mississippi River and were part of Grant’s forces in the 1862 campaign to capture Island No. 10. The 27th Illinois were among the first, if not the very first regiment, to set foot on Island No. 10 after the evacuation by the Confederates. There are accounts of several flags being captured in this campaign. Several accounts in newspapers and unit histories note capture of a number of flags. Col. Hans Heg of the 15th Wisconsin reported “my boys captured Seccesh flags of very elegant silk…”. It is interesting to note, according to letter of provenance by Greg Biggs, that after Island No. 10 “…began on March 31st, 1862. The 27th Illinois, and the rest of Napoleon Buford’s Brigade attacked the Confederate camp at Union City, Tennessee which held the right flank of the Island Number Ten defenses. This camp was held by the 21st Tennessee Infantry and the newly formed 7th Tennessee Cavalry. Bother units were routed and 4-5 flags were captured (depending on what report is read), only one of which has been located today. Col. Buford, in overall command of the expedition stated, “we captured three large flags and two guidons, all of silk, and one of them with elegantly embroidered letters, “Victory or Death.” It is interesting that Buford made note of flags taken at Union City instead of Island Number Ten in his Official Records reports.” Possibly, with a little more research, the actual unit this battle flag was captured from can be ascertained. This flag as conserved will frame and display beautifully. SIZE: 76″ x 45″. CONDITION: In accompanying research, Flag is most likely captured during the Island #10 campaign and one of the 7th Tenn-Cavalry flag’s makes a good hypothesis, if only the flag’s central device could be deduced. Flag as conserved is very good overall. Silk is quite supple and not brittle as so much silk on other wartime flags we see. There is much loss of blue coloration in the canton. Canton now only has ghosts of its orig bright blue field, several irregular holes in canton possibly caused by battle damage. The canton is double sided and the 13 stars are directly appliqued to each side. At least 2 of the stars are made from multiple pieces of cloth. Stars are mostly complete and in good condition. Central white bar is triple sided with the words “Victory or Death” applied to on surface. Due to acid content of paint eating away silk parts of each of these letters are missing and are now re-backed by conservator. The opposite piece of silk is missing mostly in the center, where a motto and unknown motif once were. The words “Confederacy” is still seen, bled through to the center white bar, and possibly the word “Southern” was there too. The two red bars are single layer silk edged with a narrow silk tape folded over each side to provide and exterior border and reinforcement. The single sided red bars retain excellent color, thougha s seen in pictures a small percentage of red striped material is missing. Orig attachment to pole is not visible, as when flag was captured attachments were probably left on pole, so typical to captured flags. 8-76266 JS27 (40,000-60,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010 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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