Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue shield in the center of the flag. A white anchor is diagonally crossed with a red cannon inside the shield (the cannon surmounts the anchor). White hoist with a metal grommet at either end. Inscription on hoist reads "9th ARMY Corps / 3rd DIV / 1st BRIG From / Wm. F. Sheible / Philada. Pa / Contract. March 23, 1865".
General Description:
Ninth Army Corps (22 July 1862 - 1 August 1865)
The Ninth Army Corps used several different flags during its existence between July 22, 1862 and August 1, 1865. The corps badge, authorized on April 19, 1864, called for the design of a shield on which a fouled anchor lies beneath a cannon. The regulation flag bearing the badge design came into use in the late summer of 1864.
The Corps was commanded by Major General Ambrose Burnside from its beginning. It is speculated that the shield represents the seal of the state of Rhode Island, General Burnsides' birthplace, and the fouled anchor refers to the Corp's participation in the Peninsular Campaign.
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.
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with hand-stitched white shield in the center of the flag. In the shield is a blue anchor crossed with a red cannon. The cannon surmounts the anchor. Anchor and cannon are hand-stitched and are probably cotton. Unbleached cotton pole sleeve with a metal grommet at each end. The pole sleeve has an inscription which reads "9th Corps/2nd DIV/BRIG Head/quarters FROM/Wm. F. Scheible/Philada. Pa/Contract March 23, 1865." Machine-stitched flag panels with flat-felled seams. Selvage edges on top and bottom of flag.
General Description:
Ninth Army Corps (22 July 1862 - 1 August 1865)
The Ninth Army Corps used several different flags during its existence between 22 July 1862 and 1 August 1865. The corps badge, authorized on April 19, 1864, called for the design of a shield on which a fouled anchor lies beneath a cannon. the regulation flag bearing the badge design came into use in the late summer of 1864.
The Corps was commanded by Major General Ambrose Burnside from its beginning. It is speculated that the shield represents the seal of the state of Rhode Island, General Burnsides' birthplace, and the fouled anchor refers to the Corp's participation in the Peninsular campaign.
Wool bunting rectangular flag. White field with a red shield in the center of the flag. On the shield, a white anchor is crossed diagonally with a blue cannon (the cannon surmounts the anchor). White hoist with a metal grommet at either end. Inscription on hoist reads "From / Wm. F. Schieble / Philada Pa / Contract. March 23, 1865 9th Corps. / 1st DIV. / BRIG. Head / Quarters".
General Description:
Ninth Army Corps (22 July 1862 - 1 August 1865)
The Ninth Army Corps used several different flags during its existence between July 22, 1862 and August 1, 1865. The corps badge, authorized on April 19, 1864, called for the design of a shield on which a fouled anchor lies beneath a cannon. The regulation flag bearing the badge design came into use in the late summer of 1864.
The Corps was commanded by Major General Ambrose Burnside from its beginning. It is speculated that the shield represents the seal of the state of Rhode Island, General Burnsides' birthplace, and the fouled anchor refers to the Corp's participation in the Peninsular Campaign.
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white shield in the center of the flag. Inside the shield is a blue cotton anchor surmounted by a red cotton cannon. The anchor and cannon are crossed diagonally. White cotton machine-stitched hoist with a brass grommet at each end. There is an inscription on the hoist that reads "9th Corps/2nd DIV/1st BRG FROM/Wm F. Scheible/Contract Marck 23 1865." The flag is hand-stitched with brown threads and white threads on the applied decoration. Rolled hems.
General Description:
Ninth Army Corps (22 July 1862 - 1 August 1865)
The Ninth Army Corps used several different flags during its existence between 22 July 1862 and 1 August 1865. The corps badge, authorized on April 19, 1864, called for the design of a shield on which a fouled anchor lies beneath a cannon. the regulation flag bearing the badge design came into use in the late summer of 1864.
The Corps was commanded by Major General Ambrose Burnside from its beginning. It is speculated that the shield represents the seal of the state of Rhode Island, General Burnsides' birthplace, and the fouled anchor refers to the Corp's participation in the Peninsular campaign.
Rectangular flag. Blue field with large white sphere applique. Two small squares of darker blue fabric on the corners next to the hoist. Pole sleeve is constructed of unbleached fabric, most likely cotton canvas. Machine stitched flat fell panel seams. Hand-stitched pole sleeve, reinforced corner patches, and central appliqued motif. Hand-stitched cord casing in pole sleeve. Cord in casing. Inscription on hoist reads "1 ARMY CORPS 2 DIV HORSTMANN/PHILADELPHIA."
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.
Rectangular flag. Blue field with large white sphere applique. Two small squares of darker blue fabric on the corners next to the hoist. Pole sleeve is constructed of unbleached fabric, most likely cotton canvas. Machine stitched flat fell panel seams. Hand-stitched pole sleeve, reinforced corner patches, and central appliqued motif. Hand-stitched cord casing in pole sleeve. Cord in casing. Inscription on hoist reads "1 ARMY CORPS 2 DIV HORSTMANN/PHILADELPHIA."
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.
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 white on top and navy on bottom before the fork and navy on top and white on bottom on the swallowtails. A green cotton number "9" surmounts the stripes. White cotton hhoist with a metal grommet at each end. The hoist has an inscription that reads "9th ARMY Corps/Chief/Qr. Master From/Wm. F. Scheible/Philada Pa/Contract March 23, 1865." The flag is hand-stitched.
General Description:
Ninth Army Corps (22 July 1862 - 1 August 1865)
The Ninth Army Corps used several different flags during its existence between 22 July 1862 and 1 August 1865. The corps badge, authorized on April 19, 1864, called for the design of a shield on which a fouled anchor lies beneath a cannon. the regulation flag bearing the badge design came into use in the late summer of 1864.
The Corps was commanded by Major General Ambrose Burnside from its beginning. It is speculated that the shield represents the seal of the state of Rhode Island, General Burnsides' birthplace, and the fouled anchor refers to the Corp's participation in the Peninsular campaign.
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).
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a large red diamond in the center of the flag. The white cotton hoist is machine-stitched and has a metal grommet at each end. Flag has hand-stitched seams. Inscription on hoist reads "3rd Corps/1st DIV/1st BRIG From/Wm. F. Scheible/Philada. Pa./Contract March 23, 1865".
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).
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 white on top and navy on bottom before the fork and navy on top and white on bottom on the swallowtails. A green cotton number "9" surmounts the stripes. White cotton hoist has a grommet at each end; an inscription on the hoist reads "9th ARMY Corps/Chief/Qr. Master FROM/Wm. F. Scheible/Philada. Pa./Contract March 2 1865." Flag is hand-stitched.
General Description:
Ninth Army Corps (22 July 1862 - 1 August 1865)
The Ninth Army Corps used several different flags during its existence between July 22, 1862 and August 1, 1865. The corps badge, authorized on April 19, 1864, called for the design of a shield on which a fouled anchor lies beneath a cannon. The regulation flag bearing the badge design came into use in the late summer of 1864.
The Corps was commanded by Major General Ambrose Burnside from its beginning. It is speculated that the shield represents the seal of the state of Rhode Island, General Burnsides' birthplace, and the fouled anchor refers to the Corp's participation in the Peninsular Campaign.
This model 1858 sack coat would have been worn by an enlisted man in the U.S. Army. Dark blue wool machine-sewn collared blouse. Center front has four general service brass eagle buttons down the right side. Cuffs are plain. Body lined with coarse green herringbone wool. There is a breast pocket in the lining on the left side created by sewing the outer and lining fabric together. The sleeves are lined with cream-colored cotton. Numerous mended holes. Wear from use is evident on the upper left breast. Left sleeve has illegible stamp. The right sleeve has 3 stamps, which read: "J.J. MARTIN, FEBY 4 65"; "3" and "Jos Jones, US Inspector, NY".
These model 1854 type II dismounted trousers would have been worn by an enlisted man in the U.S. Army. Pair of sky blue kersey wool twill trousers with a five button fly and six large metal buttons around the waist. There are two vertical slash pockets on each side, and a watch pocket on the right side of the waistband. The waistband facing and pockets are cotton twill. The edge of the fly is hand pinked. The crotch seam has been covered with cotton twill. There is a "V" shaped slit and two eyelet holes for waist adjustment at the rear of the waistband. The trousers are unlined. There is a one inch slit at the bottom of the outer seam of each trouser leg. There are two maker's marks on the right back facing. The first stamp is only partially legible and reads "G.S.H...ney?/US". The second is stamped "Portland M./Feby 3rd 1865".
This was Ulysses S. Grant's U.S. Military Academy cadet coatee, worn circa 1839. Grant was a member of the class of 1843. Gray wool coatee with a standing collar, an unlined body, and cream colored cotton lining in the sleeves. There are three rows of seven round brass ball-style buttons down the front chest, three buttons on each sleeve, one on each side of the collar, and one on each shoulder. There is a brass ball-style button at the top of each coat tail at the mid-back of the waist, two in the mid-section of the coat tail, and there was originally one button on the bottom of each coat tail. The bottom left coat tail button is currently missing. Each coat tail also has a row of three black embroidered chevrons, point down, with a ball-style button on the end of each point.
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a large blue St. Andrew's cross in the center of the flag. Red triangles form the corners of the flag; the edges of the triangles facing the center of the flag are convex. White hoist (yellowed) with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "6 ARMY CORPS 3 Div 4 Brig HORSTMANN/PHILADELPHIA".
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 18 May 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 Spottsylvania. 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."
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border on the hoist edge. Large red diamond in the center of the flag. The white cotton hoist is machine-stitched and has a metal grommet at each end. Flag seams are hand sewn. Inscription on hoist reads "3rd Corps/1st DIV/2nd BRIG From/Wm. F. Scheible/Philada. Pa./Contract March 23, 1865".
General Description:
Third Army Corps (26 June - 12 September 1862)
The diamond shaped lozenge, 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).
This service dress cap was worn by Rear Admiral David G. Farragut while directing the fire of the flagship Hartford during the Battle of Mobile Bay. In 1864, the Port of Mobile was one of the last two through which smugglers and blockade-runners could access the Confederacy and deliver much needed supplies. On August 5, 1864 Farragut launched an assault on the port, captured it, and closed it to the blockade-runners.
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 heading with metal grommet at each end. Hand-stitched. The inscription on the hoist reads "6th Corps/Qr Master/From/Wm. F. Scheible/Philada. Pa/Contract march 23, 1865."
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 18 May 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 Spottsylvania. 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."
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white St. Andrew's cross in the center of the flag. The corners of the flag are red triangles; the edges of the triangles facing the center of the flag are convex. Yellowed hoist; no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "6 ARMY CORPS 2 Div 4 Brig HORSTMANN/PHILADELPHIA".
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."
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with wide blue border around all three edges. Red trefoil, or clover, in center of flag. Unbleached cotton heading. Machine-stitched panels with flat-felled seams. Machine-stitched turned-under edge hems. Hand-stitched pole sleeve with hand-stitched cord casing in pole sleeve (cord is not enclosed in casing). Hand-stitched flat-fell applique (red trefoil). The inscription on the hoist reads "2 ARMY CORPS 1 Div 3 Brig HORSTMANN./PHILADELPHIA.."
General Description:
Second Army Corps (3 March 1862 - 28 June 1865)
General Daniel Butterfield, who designed many of the army corps badges in detail while serving as Chief of Staff to General Philip Kearny, chose the trefoil (shamrock) for this army corps due to the Irish origin of many of the soldiers. The trefoil badge of the Second Army Corps was ordered in March 1863. Although variations came to be used, the original pattern was re instituted by General W. S. Hancock who carried the flag for the duration of the war.
According to an 1864 catalog compiled by the Military Service Institute at Governors Island, New York, the actual Second Army Corps Headquarters flag was one of the few Civil War battle flags in that museum's holdings. The 1884 MSI Catalogue description of the flag: "With a certificate, signed by Major-General Hancock, reads as follows: 'This was my headquarters flag, and (with its present staff) was carried at the head of the 2nd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, during the Wilderness Campaign of 1864, from its commencement, May 3, 1864, and in that time was borne through the battles of the Wilderness, May 5, 6, and 7, 1864; battles of the Po, May 10, 1864, and at Spotsylvania C.H. In its present battered condition it was borne in battle for the last time during the assault made on the enemy's works at Spotsylvania, May 12, 1864. A few days afterward, a new flag was procured and I then presented these colors to my senior Aide-de-camp, Major and Bvt. Brig. Gen. William G. Mitchell, who was with me on those battlefields. I have made this memorandum to accompany the flag at the request of General Mitchell.'"
The Second Army Corps has a prestigious history; it has been called "the corps with the longer continuous service, a larger organization, hardest fighting and greatest number of casualties than any other in the eastern armies....Of the hundred Union regiments which lost the most men in battle, thirty-five belonged to the Second Corps." By reputation, "until the battle of Spotsylvania, on May 10, 1864, it never lost a gun or color." (Boatner, Mark Mayo III, the Civil War Dictionary, p. 188.)