Military

Frank Brownell's Medal of Honor

The Museum's superb military collections document the history of the men and women of the armed forces of the United States. The collections include ordnance, firearms, and swords; uniforms and insignia; national and military flags and banners; and many other objects.

The strength of the collections lies in their enormous depth. Some 3,000 military small arms and 2,400 civilian firearms document the mechanical and technological history of the infantryman's weapons from the beginning of the gunpowder era to the present. Among the 4,000 swords and knives in the collection are many spectacular presentation pieces. The collections also include Civil War era telegraph equipment, home front artifacts from both world wars, early computers such as ENIAC, Whirlwind, and Sage, and materials carried at antiwar demonstrations.

Topic: Flags

Designating Flag, Headquarters, 20th Army Corps

Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a white five-point star in the center of the flag. In the center of the flag is a red number "20" stenciled on. White cotton hoist with no grommets. Machine-stitched with flat-felled seams using blue cotton thread.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a white five-point star in the center of the flag. In the center of the flag is a red number "20" stenciled on. White cotton hoist with no grommets. Machine-stitched with flat-felled seams using blue cotton thread. The inscription on the hoist reads "Headquarters 20th Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25250A
catalog number
25250A
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a red circular cross. The cross resembles a Maltese cross whose outer edges are round, forming a circle. White hoist with no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a red circular cross. The cross resembles a Maltese cross whose outer edges are round, forming a circle. White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Div 3rd Brg 16 Army Corps R. C. Toy 49 N. 9th Phila."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25246G
catalog number
25246G
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 3rd Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a diamond in the center of flag. Hand stitches on the fly. White hoist with an inscription that reads "1st Brg. 1st Div'n 3 Army Corps."Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a diamond in the center of flag. Hand stitches on the fly. White hoist with an inscription that reads "1st Brg. 1st Div'n 3 Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25234D
catalog number
25234D
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. Red field with yellow fringe around all sides except the hoist. A black cartridge box is painted in the center of the flag. On the front flap of the box is a yellow oval with the letters "U.S." in black.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Red field with yellow fringe around all sides except the hoist. A black cartridge box is painted in the center of the flag. On the front flap of the box is a yellow oval with the letters "U.S." in black. Above the cartridge box is the phrase "FORTY ROUNDS" painted in an arc of black letters. Reinforcement squares at both hoist corners. Machine and hand-stitched unbleached cotton hoist with a grommet at either end. Stamped on the hoist is an inscription that reads "15TH ARMY CORPS 1ST DIVISION." Machine-stitched flat-felled panel seams. Hand-stitched fringe.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25248A
catalog number
25248A
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 3rd Division, 19th Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field. In the center of the flag is a blue fan-leaved cross with an octagonal center (similar to a Maltese cross). White cotton canvas hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Div.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field. In the center of the flag is a blue fan-leaved cross with an octagonal center (similar to a Maltese cross). White cotton canvas hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Div. 19th Army Corps R C Toy 49 N 9th Phila." The flag is machine-stitched.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25249FF
catalog number
25249FF
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 2nd Division, 2nd Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with large white trefoil, or clover, in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams. Blue, gold, and white cotton threads. The inscription on the heading reads "2nd Div.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with large white trefoil, or clover, in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams. Blue, gold, and white cotton threads. The inscription on the heading reads "2nd Div. 2nd Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1863
ID Number
AF.25233I
catalog number
25233I
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 5th Army Corps

Physical Description:Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red border on the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a blue Maltese cross inside a circular blue border. Machine-stitched white cotton hoist with a brass grommet at either end. Hand-stitched seams.
Description
Physical Description:
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red border on the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a blue Maltese cross inside a circular blue border. Machine-stitched white cotton hoist with a brass grommet at either end. Hand-stitched seams. The inscription on the hoist reads "5th ARMY Corps/3rd DIV/2nd BRIG From/Wm. F. Scheible/Philada.Pa./Contract. March 23, 1865."
General Description:
Fifth Army Corps (18 May 1862 - 28 June 1865)
The ensign representing the Fifth Corps, a Maltese Cross, was prescribed by General Joseph Hooker on march 21, 1863. The appearance of the cross on Fifth Corps flags varied.
The "Gallant Fifth" was created in march of 1862 as an element of the Army of the Potomac under General George B. McClellan. Soon afterwards the Department of the Shenandoah was create and the Fifth Corps transferred to it. My May 1862, the Fifth Corps of the Potomac was recreated; it remained in existence until June 1865.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1865
contract date
1865-03-23
maker
William F. Scheible
ID Number
AF.25236C
catalog number
25236C
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, Chief Quartermaster, 6th Army Corps

Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with two diagonally crossed blue stripes that run from either end of the hoist to the opposite end of the fly. The stripes cross at the fork in the swallowtail.
Description
Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with two diagonally crossed blue stripes that run from either end of the hoist to the opposite end of the fly. The stripes cross at the fork in the swallowtail. Painted in the center of the flag, to the left of where the stripes cross, is a white number "6". White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "Ch'f Q.M. 6 Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25228C
catalog number
25228C
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, Headquarters, 15th Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. The flag is divided into four fields: the upper hoist union is red, the upper fly union is white, the lower hoist union is yellow; the lower fly union is blue.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. The flag is divided into four fields: the upper hoist union is red, the upper fly union is white, the lower hoist union is yellow; the lower fly union is blue. Surmounting the fields, in the center of the flag is a black cartridge box design; on the front flap of the box is a gold plate with the letters "US" inside the plate. Above the cartridge box, in blue or black letters, is written "FORTY ROUNDS". White hoist with an inscription reading "Headquarters 15 Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25245A
catalog number
25245A
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 10th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with blue square bastioned fort design in the center of the flag (the design is a square with diamond shapes on each corner). Undyed cotton hoist with no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with blue square bastioned fort design in the center of the flag (the design is a square with diamond shapes on each corner). Undyed cotton hoist with no grommets. An inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg 3rd Div 10 Army Corps." Flat-felled seams.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25241M
catalog number
25241M
accession number
64127

Liberty Queen's Ware Cup and Saucer

Ivory-colored ceramic cup and saucer with the "Liberty" motif consisting of a center shield with the American Stars and Stripes surrounded by eleven Allied flags from World War I, including (from left to right) Cuba, Romania, Montenegro, Italy, Great Britain, Belgium, France, Rus
Description (Brief)
Ivory-colored ceramic cup and saucer with the "Liberty" motif consisting of a center shield with the American Stars and Stripes surrounded by eleven Allied flags from World War I, including (from left to right) Cuba, Romania, Montenegro, Italy, Great Britain, Belgium, France, Russia, Japan, Portugal, and Serbia. Lillian Gary Taylor designed and sold Liberty China and Queen's Ware to raise funds to support charitable relief organizations during WWI.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
April 6, 1917 - November 11, 1918
commissioner
Taylor, Lillian Gary
maker
Josiah Wedgwood & Sons
ID Number
1980.0790.01ab
accession number
1980.0790
catalog number
1980.0790.01ab

Designating Flag, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a cotton black cartridge box in the center of the flag. The cartridge box is outlined in white contrast stitching. On the front flap of the cartridge box is a yellow wool oval with the letters "U.S" painted in black.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a cotton black cartridge box in the center of the flag. The cartridge box is outlined in white contrast stitching. On the front flap of the cartridge box is a yellow wool oval with the letters "U.S" painted in black. Above the cartridge box, written in an arc, is the phrase "FORTY ROUNDS" in white letters. White cotton hoist with no grommets. Stamped on the hoist is the inscription "3rd Div 15th Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25245L
catalog number
25245L
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with blue trefoil, or clover, in center of flag. Red border on all three sides. The inscription on the white hoist reads "3rd Brg. 3rd Div. 2nd Army Corps."Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with blue trefoil, or clover, in center of flag. Red border on all three sides. The inscription on the white hoist reads "3rd Brg. 3rd Div. 2nd Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25233Q
catalog number
25233Q
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 1st Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white circle in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. Hoist is machine-stitched with an open sleeve; one blue horizontal thread runs the length of the heading.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white circle in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. Hoist is machine-stitched with an open sleeve; one blue horizontal thread runs the length of the heading. Machine-stitched, flat-felled flag seams are done using dark brown, black, and undyed threads. Hand-stitched whipstitch at fly. Inscription on hoist reads "2nd Div'n 1st Brg. 1st Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25232J
catalog number
25232J
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, Light Division, 6th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border on all three sides. In the center of the flag is a green St. Andrew's cross. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching. Inscription on hoist: "3rd Brg Lt Div 6 Army Corps."Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border on all three sides. In the center of the flag is a green St. Andrew's cross. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching. Inscription on hoist: "3rd Brg Lt Div 6 Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25228V
catalog number
25228V
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white cotton five-point star in the center of the flag. The star design is two pieces sandwiched into the blue body fabric. Machine-stitched open-sleeve heading is white cotton and has no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white cotton five-point star in the center of the flag. The star design is two pieces sandwiched into the blue body fabric. Machine-stitched open-sleeve heading is white cotton and has no grommets. Machine-stitching; flat-felled seams. Seams are poorly stitched; there are areas of excessive back-stitching, caught threads, and fabric caught in seams. Hand-sewn whipstitch at fly to close seam. Inscription on hoist reads "1st Brg. 2nd Div. 12th Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25243I
catalog number
25243I
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 3rd Division, 3rd Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with blue diamond in center of flag. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching; flag panels have flat-felled seams. Cotton threads in blue, off-white, and white. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Div.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with blue diamond in center of flag. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching; flag panels have flat-felled seams. Cotton threads in blue, off-white, and white. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Div. 3rd Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1876
ID Number
AF.25234M
catalog number
25234M
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 7th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with red border on the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a white inverted cross surrounding a white five-point star. White hoist with an inscription that reads "2nd Brg 2nd Div 7th Army Corps."Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with red border on the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a white inverted cross surrounding a white five-point star. White hoist with an inscription that reads "2nd Brg 2nd Div 7th Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25237K
catalog number
25237K
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, Chief Quartermaster, 6th Army Corps

Physical Description:Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with two blue diagonal stripes; the stripes run from one end of the hoist to the opposite swallowtail and cross at the fork in the swallowtail. A cotton white number "6" surmounts the blue stripes.
Description
Physical Description:
Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with two blue diagonal stripes; the stripes run from one end of the hoist to the opposite swallowtail and cross at the fork in the swallowtail. A cotton white number "6" surmounts the blue stripes. White cotton hoist with a metal grommet at either end. Hand-stitched. The inscription on the hoist reads "From/Wm.F. Scheible 6th Corps/Philada. Pa./Contract March 23, 1865/Qr. Master."
General Description:
Sixth Army Corps (18 May 1862 - 28 June 1865)
Originally the Greek cross was the corps emblem for the Sixth Army Corps. Early in 1864, the cross was shifted 45 degrees to create the St. Andrews cross in 1864 that was used until the end of the war.
Known as "The Fighting Sixth" and "the most famous corps in the Civil War", the Sixth Army Corps was created on May 18, 1862 and discontinued in June 1865. The Sixth Corps was commanded by Major General John Sedgwick, who was known as "Uncle John" to his men. General Sedgwick was killed at the Battle of Spotsylvania. After the war, a member of his staff, Colonel James H. Platt, presented the headquarters flag of the Sixth Army Corps to the Association of Vermont Officers with the following letter:
"This flag should be especially dear and sacred to the old Vermont brigade, as it is the only one that our beloved Sedgwick ever used while he commanded the immortal 6th Corps. It was his headquarters battle flag. Always carried near his person in every action in which he commanded the corps, it will be recognized by every soldier of the Old Brigade at once, and must awaken in their hearts vivid memories of the numerous fields upon which, under its folds, they achieved so much of their imperishable renown. It will recall the noble Sedgwick, who loved them so well and was so well loved in return, who was at once the brave soldier, the able commander, the sincere friend; the best soldier and the noblest man it was ever our good fortune to serve under. It will also recall our brave comrades who sealed their devotion to their country by their heroic deaths upon the field of battle under its folds. I have regarded it as a precious and sacred relic; and, believing I had no right to retain it all to myself, have long contemplated presenting it to this association. I respectfully request my old comrades, through you, to accept it a valuable addition to their store of relics; that they will permit it to grace the hall at their annual reunions, and cherish it as a memento of our beloved Sedgwick and the old Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1865
contract date
1865-03-23
maker
William F. Scheible
ID Number
AF.25228X
catalog number
25228X
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 2nd Division, 5th Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a white Maltese cross in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "2nd Div'n 5 Army Corps".Currently not on view
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a white Maltese cross in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "2nd Div'n 5 Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25236L
catalog number
25236L
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 11th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with white crescent in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist is machine-stitched with an open sleeve; no grommets. Machine-stitched flat-felled seams done with tan cotton thread on blue fabric and off-white thread on white crescent.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with white crescent in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist is machine-stitched with an open sleeve; no grommets. Machine-stitched flat-felled seams done with tan cotton thread on blue fabric and off-white thread on white crescent. The center seam is poorly sewn and cut edge is exposed through the seam. Inscription on hoist reads "1st Brg. 2nd Div. 11 Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25242J
catalog number
25242J
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 14th Army Corps

Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Red field with wide blue border on all sides except for the hoist. Blue acorn in center of field. One applique cotton blue star between the hoist and the acorn. Off-white cotton hoist. Tan threads. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Red field with wide blue border on all sides except for the hoist. Blue acorn in center of field. One applique cotton blue star between the hoist and the acorn. Off-white cotton hoist. Tan threads. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Div 1st Brg 14th Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25244Y
catalog number
25244Y
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 3rd Division, 11th Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a blue crescent in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "3rd Div. 11 Army Corps".Currently not on view
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a blue crescent in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "3rd Div. 11 Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25242N
catalog number
25242N
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, Artillery Brigade, 4th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with white equilateral triangle in center of field. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching; flag panels have flat-felled seams. Red and white cotton threads. The inscription on the hoist reads "Arty Brg 4th Army Corps."Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with white equilateral triangle in center of field. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching; flag panels have flat-felled seams. Red and white cotton threads. The inscription on the hoist reads "Arty Brg 4th Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25235R
catalog number
25235R
accession number
64127

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