Sixth Corps, First Division
Headquarters Flag
April 2, 2003
On a bright spring Wednesday my wife and I
travelled up to the U.S. Army Military History Institute in
Carlisle, Pa. We had no appointment but we had learned that
this flag was preserved there and we hoped only that we could
make a date to see it on a future visit. To make a long story
short, the museum's director and his staff went very much out
of their way to accomodate us that very day. Their warmth and
hospitality made a big impression and we thank them for the
chance to see and photograph the flag..
This is the very flag that my great-great
grandfather marched behind 140 years ago. The hair stood up
on the back of my neck and I had a lump in my throat the size
of a basketball when they opened the box and lifted it out.
It was "preserved" about thirty years ago by being
sandwiched between two layers of netting and then zigzag
stitched. This and other flags are scheduled to be "re-conserved"
in the near future. They will remove the zig zag stitching
and do other things to make sure the flag lasts for many more
years to come. While it's at the conservation workshop it
will not be available for viewing, so these photos will have
to last us for a few years.
Below are six pictures that document
various aspects of the original flag. We are copying this
flag to be carried on the march.
Click on each thumbnail to see a larger version of
the image.
Use your browser's back button to return here. |
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| This is the overal view of the flag (and
my sleeve, which spoiled the full image). The pole edge
would be to your right as you view this. This answers the
question about when they used the St. Andrews cross vs
the Greek cross. |
A close up of one arm of the cross. |
Closeup showing the reconstructed
canvas "sleeve" which originally held a rope.
The rope had a loop on each end which was then tied to
the flagstaff. |
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| Closeup showing the radius of the
curve inside the joint between two arms of the cross. |
Closeup of the top edge of the flag,
showing the color shifts between white tissue paper, the
netting all by itself and the flag field beneath the
netting. I've tried to color correct to "remove"
the netting but haven't been very satisfied with the
results. The field of the flag was unbleached wool
bunting so the original color was probably a very light
tan. |
These are the hand written battle
honors which were archived with the flag at USMHI. Scroll
down to read a transcription. |
Battle Honors affixed to this flag:
Headquarters Flag 1st Division 6th Corps
Army of the Potomac Brig. Gen H.G. Wright
From June 22th 1863
To June 4th 1864
Brig. Gen. David C. Russell
From June 9th 1864
To Sept 19th 1864 killed.
Presented by Henry R. Dalton. Asst. Adjt.
Gen of Div.
| Gettysburg July 1st 2nd 3rd 4th |
1863 |
| Rappahannock Station Nov 7th |
1863 |
| Wilderness May 4th fth 6th |
1864 |
| Spotsylvania Courthouse May 9th 10th
11th 12th |
1864 |
| Cold Harbor June 1st 2nd 3rd - 12th |
1864 |
| Petersburg June 19th |
1864 |
| Reams Station July 1st |
1864 |
| Fort Stevens (Washington) July 12th |
1864 |
| Winchester Sept 19 |
1864 |
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