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: Designating Flags

Designating Flag, Chief Quartermaster, 22nd Army Corps

Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with two diagonal crossed blue stripes; the stripes (or bends) run from either the top or bottom of the hoist to the opposite swallowtail. The stripes cross at the fork in the swallowtail.
Description
Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with two diagonal crossed blue stripes; the stripes (or bends) run from either the top or bottom of the hoist to the opposite swallowtail. The stripes cross at the fork in the swallowtail. In between the hoist and where the stripes cross is a number "22" in white. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "R.C. Toy 49.N.9th Phila 22 Army Corps Chief Q. M."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25252C
catalog number
25252C
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 4th Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red triangles in each corner; the edges of the triangle facing the center of the flag are convex. In the center of the flag is a blue St. Andrew's cross. White cotton hoist. Machine-stitched using cotton threads.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red triangles in each corner; the edges of the triangle facing the center of the flag are convex. In the center of the flag is a blue St. Andrew's cross. White cotton hoist. Machine-stitched using cotton threads. Twill tape tab at proper right end. The inscription on the hoist reads "4th Brg. 3rd Div. 6 Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25228R
catalog number
25228R
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 19th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field. The center of the flag is a blue fan-leaved cross with an octagonal center (similar to a Maltese cross). Reinforcements at the hoist corners; patch repair on fly. White cotton canvas hoist with a metal grommet at each end.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field. The center of the flag is a blue fan-leaved cross with an octagonal center (similar to a Maltese cross). Reinforcements at the hoist corners; patch repair on fly. White cotton canvas hoist with a metal grommet at each end. The inscription on the hoist reads "19TH ARMY/CORPS 3RD DIVISION." Reinforcements, patch, and cross applique are all hand-stitched. Flag panels are machine-stitched.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25278D
catalog number
25278D
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 2nd Division, 17th Army Corps

Physical Description:Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with faded yellow fringe on all edges except for the hoist. In the center of the flag is a white cotton arrow applique; the arrow is horizontal and points toward the fly.
Description
Physical Description:
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with faded yellow fringe on all edges except for the hoist. In the center of the flag is a white cotton arrow applique; the arrow is horizontal and points toward the fly. White cotton canvas heading with a metal grommet at each end. Heading, flag panels, and flag edges are machine-stitched. Applique and fringe are hand-stitched.
General Description:
Seventeenth Army Corps (18 December 1862 - 1 August 1865)
The Seventeenth Army Corps flags, authorized in late April, 1865; bears the arrow badge emblem adopted by the corps the previous month. The arrow was chosen because it denotes, "its undeviating course in the march, the swiftness of its attack, it's surety of striking where wanted, and its destructive powers when propelled properly against the enemy." (Myhall, Fig BB)
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1865
maker
Horstmann Brothers & Company
William H. Horstmann & Sons
ID Number
AF.25276C
catalog number
25276C
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps

Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Red field with a wide white border around all sides except the hoist. In the center of the flag is a black cartridge box.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Red field with a wide white border around all sides except the hoist. In the center of the flag is a black cartridge box. On the front flap of the cartridge box is a yellow plate/oval with the letters "U.S." Above the cartridge box, written in an arc, is the phrase "FORTY ROUNDS". White hoist with an inscription reading "1st Brg 1st Div 15 Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25245E
catalog number
25245E
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 11th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border around all three edges. Red crescent in the center of the flag. Machine-stitched white cotton hoist with no grommets. Flag panel seams are machine-stitched. Inscription on hoist reads "3rd Brg. 1st Div.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border around all three edges. Red crescent in the center of the flag. Machine-stitched white cotton hoist with no grommets. Flag panel seams are machine-stitched. Inscription on hoist reads "3rd Brg. 1st Div. 11 Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25242G
catalog number
25242G
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 3rd Division, 4th Army Corps, Department of the Cumberland

Rectangular wool bunting flag. Red field with blue union in upper hoist corner. Union has three white stripes; two of the stripes form a saltire and the third stripe, or pale, vertically bisects the saltire.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Red field with blue union in upper hoist corner. Union has three white stripes; two of the stripes form a saltire and the third stripe, or pale, vertically bisects the saltire. The white hoist has an inscription that reads "3rd Div'n 4th Army Corps Dept. of Cumberland."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25235M
catalog number
25235M
accession number
64127

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

Physical Description:Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red border around all three edges. In the center of the flag is a blue Maltese cross surrounded by a blue circular border. White hoist has a metal grommet at either end.
Description
Physical Description:
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red border around all three edges. In the center of the flag is a blue Maltese cross surrounded by a blue circular border. White hoist has a metal grommet at either end. Inscription on hoist reads "5th Corps/3rd DIV/3rd 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 created and the Fifth Corps transferred to it. By 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
maker
William F. Scheible
ID Number
AF.25236D
catalog number
25236D
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 19th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a red border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a white fan-leaved cross with an octagonal center (similar to a Maltese cross). White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Brg. 2nd Div.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a red border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a white fan-leaved cross with an octagonal center (similar to a Maltese cross). White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Brg. 2nd Div. 19th Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25249DD
catalog number
25249DD
accession number
64127

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

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red heptagon applique. The edges of the heptagon are concave and the center is cutout (meaning that the white circle in the center is the ground fabric).
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red heptagon applique. The edges of the heptagon are concave and the center is cutout (meaning that the white circle in the center is the ground fabric). White paint outlines red spears (applique fabric) that radiate from the circle to the seven angles of the heptagon. Painted inside the white circle is a green laurel wreath. There are two blue cotton five-point star appliques arranged vertically next to the hoist. White cotton hoist with no grommets. There are two inscriptions on the hoist; the one on the front reads "2ndBrg 1st Veteran Army Corps" while the inscription on the reverse reads "RC Toy 49 N 9th Phila." The flag is machine-stitched.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25258D
catalog number
25258D
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 7th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue cotton inverted crescent surrounding a blue five-point star. White cotton hoist with no grommets. Flat-felled seams are machine-stitched with white cotton thread. Inscription on hoist reads "1st Brg 2nd Div 7th Army Corps R. C.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue cotton inverted crescent surrounding a blue five-point star. White cotton hoist with no grommets. Flat-felled seams are machine-stitched with white cotton thread. Inscription on hoist reads "1st Brg 2nd Div 7th Army Corps R. C. Toy [illegible] N. 9th Phila".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25237O
catalog number
25237O
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, Headquarters, 23rd Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with yellow fringe around all sides except for the hoist. In the center of the flag is a shield divided into three parts.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with yellow fringe around all sides except for the hoist. In the center of the flag is a shield divided into three parts. The upper hoist portion is red, the upper fly portion is white, and the lower portion is blue; the shield and the three parts are outlined in yellow. White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "Headquarters 23rd Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25253A
catalog number
25253A
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 2nd Division, 9th Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a hand-stitched white shield inset in the center of the flag. Painted on the shield are a white anchor (outlined in black) surmounted by a red cannon with black outline details. The anchor and cannon are diagonally crossed.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a hand-stitched white shield inset in the center of the flag. Painted on the shield are a white anchor (outlined in black) surmounted by a red cannon with black outline details. The anchor and cannon are diagonally crossed. Small reinforcement squares on top and bottom corners of the hoist. Machine-stitched flag panels. White cotton heading with a grommet at each end. Blue field is machine-stitched to heading.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25285C
catalog number
25285C
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, Headquarters, 17th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with yellow fringe around all edges except for the hoist. In the center of the flag is a white arrow applique; the horizontal arrow points toward the fly. White canvas hoist with a metal grommet at each end.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with yellow fringe around all edges except for the hoist. In the center of the flag is a white arrow applique; the horizontal arrow points toward the fly. White canvas hoist with a metal grommet at each end. The inscription on the hoist reads "17 ARMY/CORPS HEAD QUARTERS." Fringe, heading, and applique are all hand-stitched using an overcast stitch. Flag panels are machine-stitched with flat-felled seams.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25276A
catalog number
25276A
accession number
64127

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

Physical Description:Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with red stripe on hoist edge; white sphere applique in center of blue field. Hoist is unbleached cotton canvas. Machine-stitched flat fell panel seams and turned under hems on the top and bottom of the flag.
Description
Physical Description:
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with red stripe on hoist edge; white sphere applique in center of blue field. Hoist is unbleached cotton canvas. Machine-stitched flat fell panel seams and turned under hems on the top and bottom of the flag. Hand-stitched flat fell seam on single layer central motif inset and on cord casing in hoist. Machine- and hand-stitched hoist. Cord is still in casing on the hoist end. Inscription on hoist: 1 ARMY CORPS 2 Div Brig HORSTMANN/PHILADELPHIA
Stamped on hoist.
General Description:
First Army Corps, Army of the Potomac
The flags of 1862 represent specific commands and served as tactical signals. They usually had an ensign designed by the commanders themselves which came to be the symbol for the division. In the spring of 1863, the Army of the Potomac issued badges for its entire corps, and on March 21, 1863, the 1st Army Corps, under General Joseph Hooker, issued an announcement designating the sphere as its emblem. This remained the emblem for the corps until they merged with the 5th Army Corps in March of 1864.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860-1865
maker
William H. Horstmann & Sons
ID Number
AF.25232Y
catalog number
25232Y
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 4th Brigade, 3rd Division, 4th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with blue equilateral triangle in center of flag. Each corner forms a red triangle; the edges of the triangles that face the center of the flag are convex. Unbleached cotton hoist.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with blue equilateral triangle in center of flag. Each corner forms a red triangle; the edges of the triangles that face the center of the flag are convex. Unbleached cotton hoist. Machine-stitching using red, white, blue, and off-white cotton threads. Flag panels have flat-felled seams. Hand-sewn repair on the fly done using an overcast stitch. The inscription on the hoist reads "4th Brg. 3rd Div. 4th Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25235HH
catalog number
25235HH
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac

Rectangular wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white applique of two crossed swords hand-stitched to the center of the flag. Reinforcement squares at both hoist corners. White hoist is machine- and hand-stitched and has a metal grommet at either end.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white applique of two crossed swords hand-stitched to the center of the flag. Reinforcement squares at both hoist corners. White hoist is machine- and hand-stitched and has a metal grommet at either end. The inscription on the hoist reads "CAVALRY 2ND DIVISION." The flag is machine-stitched with flat-felled panel seams.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25285A
catalog number
25285A
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, Department of the Cumberland

Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Red field with a blue union in the upper hoist corner. The union has one diagonal white stripe, or bend. Below the union are two white five-point stars, arranged vertically. White hoist with no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Red field with a blue union in the upper hoist corner. The union has one diagonal white stripe, or bend. Below the union are two white five-point stars, arranged vertically. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "1st Div'n 2nd Brg 4th Army Corp Dept. of Cumberland".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25235G
catalog number
25235G
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 1st Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red border on the hoist edge. Blue circle in the center of the flag. Machine-stitched, open-sleeve white cotton hoist. Flag panels are machine-stitched with flat-felled seams using red, blue, and off-white cotton threads.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red border on the hoist edge. Blue circle in the center of the flag. Machine-stitched, open-sleeve white cotton hoist. Flag panels are machine-stitched with flat-felled seams using red, blue, and off-white cotton threads. Inscription on hoist reads "2nd Brg. 3rd Div'n 1st Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25232P
catalog number
25232P
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Division, 3rd Army Corps

Physical Description:Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a large red diamond in the center of the flag. The white hoist has a metal grommet at each end. Inscription on hoist reads "From/Wm. F. Scheible/Philada. Pa./Contract.
Description
Physical Description:
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a large red diamond in the center of the flag. The white hoist has a metal grommet at each end. Inscription on hoist reads "From/Wm. F. Scheible/Philada. Pa./Contract. March 23, 1865 1st DIV/Head/Quarters 3rd Army Corps".
General Description:
Third Army Corps (26 June - 12 September 1862)
The diamond shaped lozange, a symbol adopted by the Third Army Corps under General Philip Kearny, became the ensign for the corps flags. The use of corps badges today may be traced to a spontaneous beginning with a directive from General Kearny. According to legend, General Kearny mistakenly reprimanded a group of soldiers from a corps other than his own while on march. To eliminate future confusion, he issued diamond shaped badges of cloth, known as "Kearny Patches," to be worn on the crown pieces of the caps of the soldiers.
The necessity of identifying corps, division, and brigades on the battlefield soon led to a requirement that all corps in the Union Army be represented with a designating badge. Often the badges were used on the corps equipment and flags. For many corps, the badge introduced an ensign that served thereafter as an enduring symbol in its heraldic lineage. Although the original Third Army Corps flags probably carried the "white cross botonny with red 'three' found in other Army of the Potomac Corps,:" (Todd p. 323), shown here is the regulation diamond shape used after 1864. Flags of the third Army Corps were carried in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac except Antietam (Boatner, p. 189).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1865
maker
William F. Scheible
ID Number
AF.25264E
catalog number
25264E
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 3rd Division, 24th Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a blue heart in the center of the flag. Reinforcement squares at both hoist corners. White hoist with a metal grommet at each end. The inscription on the hoist reads "24TH ARMY/CORPS 3RD DIVISION."Currently not on view
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a blue heart in the center of the flag. Reinforcement squares at both hoist corners. White hoist with a metal grommet at each end. The inscription on the hoist reads "24TH ARMY/CORPS 3RD DIVISION."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25282D
catalog number
25282D
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 19th Army Corps

Pre-1863 design. Rectangular wool bunting flag. Horizontal triband design. The top and bottom band are blue; the middle band is white. In the center of the white band is a black cotton number "2" applique. White cotton canvas hoist with no grommets.
Description
Pre-1863 design. Rectangular wool bunting flag. Horizontal triband design. The top and bottom band are blue; the middle band is white. In the center of the white band is a black cotton number "2" applique. White cotton canvas hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Div 2nd Brg 19 Army Corps Prior to 1863." The flag is machine stitched using white cotton thread.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
design date
before 1863
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25249H
catalog number
25249H
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a white square bastioned fort design in the center of the flag (the design looks like a square with a diamond shape on each corner). White hoist with an inscription that reads "Arty Brg 10 Army Corps."Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a white square bastioned fort design in the center of the flag (the design looks like a square with a diamond shape on each corner). White hoist with an inscription that reads "Arty Brg 10 Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25241B
catalog number
25241B
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 9th 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 shield with a white anchor surmounted by a blue cannon. The anchor and cannon are diagonally crossed. White hoist with an inscription reading "3rd Brg. 1st Div.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a red shield with a white anchor surmounted by a blue cannon. The anchor and cannon are diagonally crossed. White hoist with an inscription reading "3rd Brg. 1st Div. 9th Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25239I
catalog number
25239I
accession number
64127

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