CIVIL WAR COMPANY FLAG OF THE 64TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.

CIVIL WAR COMPANY FLAG OF THE 64TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS. This flag is 62” on hoist x 96” on fly. This is a fabulous flag with a wonderful hand sewn canton that descended directly in the family of Nicholas Whitmeyer, color sergeant of the 64th. According to letter of authenticity by Howard Madaus, “this flag was probably made between November and December 1861 (during which period 34-star flags would have been appropriate.) The letter “C” at the lower portion of the canton refers, of course to Company C of the 64th New York—so this is a company presentation (locally made, no doubt, for the company) flag of that unit. Whether it was used at any time as the national color of the 64th is open to question. As the third company of the regiment, it should be noted that “C” company formed into line of battle as the right, center company and was known as the “color company” because the color guard was formed upon and attached to the company’s left flank. The 64th New York had a record of heavy combat and served in the 2nd Army Corps. They captured at least one color at Antietam. As part of the 1st Division, 2nd Army Corps they were badly mauled at Fredericksburg, and fought to restore the collapsed line of the 3rd Army Corps on 2 July 1864 at Gettysburg. During the winter of 1863-1864, the regiment veteranized into a 6 company battalion, and continued to serve throughout the war.” The 64th, the Cattaraugus regiment, was the outgrowth of the 64th militia and was recruited at Gowanda, Randolph, Otto, Rushford, Ithaca, Little Valley, Wellsville, Owego, Olean and Leon. It was mustered into the U. S. service at Elmira in Dec. 1861, for three years; left the state for Washington on Dec. 10; was quartered near the capitol; in Jan. 1862, was assigned to the provisional brigade of Casey’s division; on March 13, it became a part of the 1st brigade, 1st division, 2nd corps, Army of the Potomac, and proceeded to the Peninsula with the general advance under McClellan. The regiment was present during the siege of Yorktown, but received its first real test at Fair Oaks, where it behaved with great steadiness under a fire which killed or wounded 173 of its members. It was active in the Seven Days’ battles, then went into camp at Harrison’s landing; arrived at Manassas too late to participate in that battle; took a prominent part in the battle of Antietam, where Gen. Richardson was killed and Gen. Hancock succeeded to the command of the division. At Fredericksburg, in the famous assault of Hancock’s division on Marye’s heights the loss of the regiment was 72 in killed and wounded and immediately afterward it went into camp near Falmouth. At Chancellorsville in May 1863, the 64th was placed on the skirmish line under Col. Nelson A. Miles and shared in the stubborn defense made by the regiments under his command, for which they won the highest commendation. The regiment moved in June to Gettysburg, where the division, under Caldwell, fought brilliantly on July 2 in the celebrated wheat-field and on the 3d defended its position stubbornly against Pickett’s assault. It lost at Gettysburg 98 killed, wounded or missing out of 205 engaged. The 2nd corps fought in October at Auburn and Bristoe Station, where the 64th suffered severe loss. It participated in the Mine Run movement and established winter quarters near Brandy Station. During the winter of 1863-64 a sufficient number of the regiment reenlisted to secure its continuance in the field as a veteran organization, but after the orig members not reenlisted were mustered out in the autumn of 1864 it was necessary to consolidate it into a battalion of six companies. It served through the Wilderness campaign, throughout the siege of Petersburg and in the pursuit of Lee’s Army to Appomattox, losing 16 in killed and wounded at Farmville. Out of a total enrollment of 1,313, the regiment lost during service 182 by death from wounds and 129 from other causes. The division in which it served saw the hardest service and suffered the most heavy losses of any in the army and the 64th was one of the finest fighting regiments in the war. It bore without flinching the severest trials and won fame and glory for itself and the state. It was mustered out at Washington, July 14, 1865. Company sized Union Battle flags are quite rare and almost always very early made in the war as is this one. These are probably rarer than Confederate Company flags You can not find a more historical or aesthetically pleasing flag than this one. A notarized letter accompanies this flag from lineal descendent of the company’s color sergeant and copy of Whitmeyer’s discharge which is still retained by family. Also accompanying is a letter of authenticity from Howard Madaus, Americas leading expert on Civil War flags. CONDITION: Colors are excellent. This flag has seen some use, so there is scattered fraying, soiling throughout. Canton has only minor mothing and one hole about the size of a 58 Cal. minie ball. Flag retains 5 of its orig 6 silk ties. 8-76203 JS31 (35,000-45,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 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
	437	$120,750.00	CIVIL WAR COMPANY FLAG OF THE 64TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS. This flag is 62” on hoist x 96” on fly. This is a fabulous flag with a wonderful hand sewn canton that descended directly in the family of Nicholas Whitmeyer, color sergeant of the 64th. According to letter of authenticity by Howard Madaus, “this flag was probably made between November and December 1861 (during which period 34-star flags would have been appropriate.) The letter “C” at the lower portion of the canton refers, of course to Company C of the 64th New York—so this is a company presentation (locally made, no doubt, for the company) flag of that unit. Whether it was used at any time as the national color of the 64th is open to question. As the third company of the regiment, it should be noted that “C” company formed into line of battle as the right, center company and was known as the “color company” because the color guard was formed upon and attached to the company’s left flank. The 64th New York had a record of heavy combat and served in the 2nd Army Corps. They captured at least one color at Antietam. As part of the 1st Division, 2nd Army Corps they were badly mauled at Fredericksburg, and fought to restore the collapsed line of the 3rd Army Corps on 2 July 1864 at Gettysburg. During the winter of 1863-1864, the regiment veteranized into a 6 company battalion, and continued to serve throughout the war.” The 64th, the Cattaraugus regiment, was the outgrowth of the 64th militia and was recruited at Gowanda, Randolph, Otto, Rushford, Ithaca, Little Valley, Wellsville, Owego, Olean and Leon. It was mustered into the U. S. service at Elmira in Dec. 1861, for three years; left the state for Washington on Dec. 10; was quartered near the capitol; in Jan. 1862, was assigned to the provisional brigade of Casey’s division; on March 13, it became a part of the 1st brigade, 1st division, 2nd corps, Army of the Potomac, and proceeded to the Peninsula with the general advance under McClellan. The regiment was present during the siege of Yorktown, but received its first real test at Fair Oaks, where it behaved with great steadiness under a fire which killed or wounded 173 of its members. It was active in the Seven Days’ battles, then went into camp at Harrison’s landing; arrived at Manassas too late to participate in that battle; took a prominent part in the battle of Antietam, where Gen. Richardson was killed and Gen. Hancock succeeded to the command of the division. At Fredericksburg, in the famous assault of Hancock’s division on Marye’s heights the loss of the regiment was 72 in killed and wounded and immediately afterward it went into camp near Falmouth. At Chancellorsville in May 1863, the 64th was placed on the skirmish line under Col. Nelson A. Miles and shared in the stubborn defense made by the regiments under his command, for which they won the highest commendation. The regiment moved in June to Gettysburg, where the division, under Caldwell, fought brilliantly on July 2 in the celebrated wheat-field and on the 3d defended its position stubbornly against Pickett’s assault. It lost at Gettysburg 98 killed, wounded or missing out of 205 engaged. The 2nd corps fought in October at Auburn and Bristoe Station, where the 64th suffered severe loss. It participated in the Mine Run movement and established winter quarters near Brandy Station. During the winter of 1863-64 a sufficient number of the regiment reenlisted to secure its continuance in the field as a veteran organization, but after the orig members not reenlisted were mustered out in the autumn of 1864 it was necessary to consolidate it into a battalion of six companies. It served through the Wilderness campaign, throughout the siege of Petersburg and in the pursuit of Lee’s Army to Appomattox, losing 16 in killed and wounded at Farmville. Out of a total enrollment of 1,313, the regiment lost during service 182 by death from wounds and 129 from other causes. The division in which it served saw the hardest service and suffered the most heavy losses of any in the army and the 64th was one of the finest fighting regiments in the war. It bore without flinching the severest trials and won fame and glory for itself and the state. It was mustered out at Washington, July 14, 1865. Company sized Union Battle flags are quite rare and almost always very early made in the war as is this one. These are probably rarer than Confederate Company flags You can not find a more historical or aesthetically pleasing flag than this one. A notarized letter accompanies this flag from lineal descendent of the company’s color sergeant and copy of Whitmeyer’s discharge which is still retained by family. Also accompanying is a letter of authenticity from Howard Madaus, Americas leading expert on Civil War flags. CONDITION: Colors are excellent. This flag has seen some use, so there is scattered fraying, soiling throughout. Canton has only minor mothing and one hole about the size of a 58 Cal. minie ball. Flag retains 5 of its orig 6 silk ties. 8-76203 JS31 (35,000-45,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 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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