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, 4th Brigade, 3rd Division, 5th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red corners. The edges of the corner triangles that face the center of the flag are convex. There is a blue Maltese cross in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscriptions on hoist read "4th Brg.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red corners. The edges of the corner triangles that face the center of the flag are convex. There is a blue Maltese cross in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscriptions on hoist read "4th Brg. 3rd Div'n 5 Army Corps" and "R.C. Toy No. 47 N. 9th Phila/Contract May 17, 1890".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25236R
catalog number
25236R
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corps

Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a wide yellow border around all sides except the hoist. In the center of the flag is a black cotton cartridge box with a yellow wool oval on the front flap.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a wide yellow border around all sides except the hoist. In the center of the flag is a black cotton cartridge box with a yellow wool oval on the front flap. Painted in black in the oval are the letters "U.S" (there is no period after the "S"). White contrast stitching outlines the cartridge box. Above the cartridge box, written in an arc, is the phrase "FORTY ROUNDS" painted in white letters. Flag is machine-stitched with flat-felled seams using white cotton thread. White cotton hoist with no grommets. Stamped on the hoist is the inscription "[illegible] Brg 3rd Div 15 Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25245O
catalog number
25245O
accession number
64127

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

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue trefoil, or clover, in the center of the flag. White cotton canvas hoist with no grommets. Machine-stitched using cotton black and white thread. Inscription on hoist reads "1st Brg. 3rd Div 2nd Army Corps".Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue trefoil, or clover, in the center of the flag. White cotton canvas hoist with no grommets. Machine-stitched using cotton black and white thread. Inscription on hoist reads "1st Brg. 3rd Div 2nd Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25233O
catalog number
25233O
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 14th Army Corps, Department of the Cumberland

Swallowtail flag. Blue field with three applique white stars near hoist. Red union, next to hoist, with three crossed white stripes. Two of the stripes form a saltire; the third stripe of equal width, called a pale, vertically bisects the saltire. White hoist.
Description
Swallowtail flag. Blue field with three applique white stars near hoist. Red union, next to hoist, with three crossed white stripes. Two of the stripes form a saltire; the third stripe of equal width, called a pale, vertically bisects the saltire. White hoist. The flag is stitched with white, tan, and blue threads. Machine stitching. Inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Brg 3rd Div. 14th Army Corps Dept. of / Cumberland."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25244M
catalog number
25244M
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 4th Brigade, Light Division, 6th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a green St. Andrew's cross in the center of the flag. Each corner forms a blue triangle; the sides of the triangles facing the cross is convex. White cotton hoist with twill tape tabs on each end. Machine stitching.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a green St. Andrew's cross in the center of the flag. Each corner forms a blue triangle; the sides of the triangles facing the cross is convex. White cotton hoist with twill tape tabs on each end. Machine stitching. Inscription on hoist: "4th Brg Lt Div 6 Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25228W
catalog number
25228W
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, 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, 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, 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 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, 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

1st Brigade, 1st Division, 20th Army Corps

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25250E
catalog number
25250E
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, Chief Quartermaster, 9th Army Corps

Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field. There are two bicolor diagonal stripes that extend from one end of the hoist to the opposite swallowtail; these stripes cross at the fork in the swallowtail.
Description
Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field. There are two bicolor diagonal stripes that extend from one end of the hoist to the opposite swallowtail; these stripes cross at the fork in the swallowtail. The bicolor stripes are navy on top and white on bottom before the fork and white on top and navy on bottom on the swallowtails. A green number "9" is painted on the flag between the hoist and the fork in the swallowtail. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "Chief Q.M. 9th Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25270O
catalog number
25270O
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

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 18th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white cross bottony in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg 2nd Div 18th Army Corps R C Toy 49 N.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white cross bottony in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg 2nd Div 18th Army Corps R C Toy 49 N. 9th Phila." The flag is machine-stitched with flat-felled seams.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25248J
catalog number
25248J
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with red equilateral triangle in center of flag. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams on flag panels and on triangle. Red and white cotton threads. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Div.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with red equilateral triangle in center of flag. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams on flag panels and on triangle. Red and white cotton threads. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Div. 4th Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25235T
catalog number
25235T
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 2nd Division, 11th Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a white crescent in the center of the flag. Undyed cotton hoist with no grommets. The hoist is machine-stitched, open sleeve with one blue horizontal thread running its length. The hoist has inscription which reads "2nd Div.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a white crescent in the center of the flag. Undyed cotton hoist with no grommets. The hoist is machine-stitched, open sleeve with one blue horizontal thread running its length. The hoist has inscription which reads "2nd Div. 11 Army Corps." Flag is machine stitched with flat-felled seams using natural and brown/green threads.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25242I
catalog number
25242I
accession number
64127

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.