Historical flags of our ancestors american revolutionary war flags. The first navy jack flag is one of the most wellknown american revolution flags. We offer museum quality, periodcorrect hand painted flags for any period that had a hand painted flag. Compiled service records of soldiers who served in the. Regimental flag of a virginia continental regiment, captured by banastre tarleton at waxhaws. The charge book of a philadelphia ships chandler lists, for december 20. But, especially in regard to, or during, a time of war such as the american revolutionary war the word colors variously, colours specifically refers to flags used in the military, as compared to flags used by private citizens. A point of interest is that there were six stripes on the front and seven stripes on the back of this unusual flag, therefore, this makes it possibly one of the oldest surviving stripe flags. The regiment was authorized authorized 25 may 1775 in the continental army as the 4th new york regiment and assigned to the new york subsequently the northern department organized 28 june 4 august 1775 to consist of ten companies from westchester, dutchess, kings, queens, and richmond counties.
List of flags during the american revolutionary war from. Georgia revolutionary war prize cases captured vessels prize cases heard on appeal from colonial and state courts by the continental congress and the court of appeals in cases of capture. Included in this nationally significant collection is the largest collection of state civil war battle flags in the country. We recently installed a display of 51 revolutionary era and early american flags at the virginia historical society in richmond, va. On a flag book this flag, representing new england, was correctly printed with heraldic.
Based on the english system, colonial militias were drawn from the body of adult male citizens of a community, town, or local region. Another variation found the canton emblazoned with the union cross, but its stripes alternated green and red stripes. In the early days of the revolution, there were colonial and regimental flags by the. It is a good example of the fact that local militia groups and colonial regiments often had their own regimental flags which they designed themselves. After researching the period, i drew the flags i wanted using my laptop. For those regiments in existence before and after this war, for the period of the wars of the grand alliance and the league of augsberg, throughout the lace was up to the revolution, these flags remain the same for those regiments. Regimental colors were arrange as one regimental color per battalion with 4 grand division actually 2 companies colors. Revolutionary war flags in 1776, naval ships of the line were still flying the grand union flag.
Textile conservation laboratory, peebles island, waterford, ny. Please come back often because the list of conserved flags will keep growing. Flags of the united states colored troops while flag day probably conjures up images of our national flag, perhaps it is also a day to shed some light on the rich history of flags created for military regiments, namely the united states colored troops usct. Compiled service records of soldiers who served in the american army during the revolutionary war microform.
From 1777 to 1782, the dillon regiment fought as part of the french expeditionary force in the american revolutionary war, capturing grenada in 1779. List of united states militia units in the american. The reproduction flags go back 118 years and we are. The first pennsylvania regiment of the continental line, inc. The flag was later carried at the battle of long island by the 1st regiment of suffolk county militia. This flag belongs to the second connecticut regiment.
List of british and patriot flags of the american revolutionary war. Artillery battalion, pennsylvania militia artillery batteries of the associated regiment of foot of philadelphia, 1747 1st battalion flying camp, 1776 8. The 1st rhode island regiment also known as varnums regiment, the 9th continental regiment, the black regiment, the rhode island regiment and olneys battalion was a regiment in the continental army from rhode island during the american revolutionary war 177583. Conserved new york battle flags nys military museum and. While at martinique in 1776 the brig reprisal flew a similar flag of yellow and white. This flag can be found on page 6 of the book flags to color, washington to lincoln, and is listed as the 1802 color of the 1st pennsylvania regiment. Although the provincial congress was in the process of planning a constitutional army to keep watch over the royal forces in boston in early 1775, the fighting at lexington and concord caught it by surprise. It was assigned on december 27, 1776 to the main continental army. Flags and uniforms of of hessehanau, hessekassel, brunswick, anspachbayreuth and anhaltzerbst. American revolutionary war british 5th regiment foot grenadier flag bearer the collectors showcase toy soldiers painted metal figure 54mm cs00833 britains thomas gunn king and country type. The the book covers both colonial flags by state and national banners with photos drawings and color plates. Revolutionary war flags 17771780 first flag resolution 1777.
The flag of dillons regiment, irish brigade of france. The early days of the american revolution led to the use of many flags as the. Many of the men who served in the unit hailed from southeastern new hampshire and western maine then part of massachusetts. This regimental flag and its matching grand division colors form the only intact. The word, colors, usually refers to a form of banner used by a military unit such as a regiment, battalion, etc. Watermans regiment wests regiment first company town of cranston, militia second company town. The following are flag patterns known to be used in the american revolution, or which now represent aspects of it.
American revolution flags revolutionary war and beyond. The regiment was authorized on september 16, 1776 in the continental army as the 10th pennsylvania regiment. Flags of the american revolution wikimedia commons. One of the examples given in the book of an american revolutionary flag with stripes other than red and white is that of an unidentified american privateer, which sported a black and yellow striped ensign. You can also find fascinating memorabilia to hang on the walls in your home or office. The regimental color of the 2nd battalion, 2nd connecticut regiment, circa 1775, is still extant. The civil war was a time of turmoil in england and wales. The early days of the american revolution led to the use of many flags as the colonists struggled with the aims of the revolt, whether rights within the british empire or outright independence. British army during the american revolutionary war wikipedia. Included in this book is a collection of 308 known foot regiment flags from the civil war all illustrated in full colour.
This flag of an unknown revolutionary war regiment is located in the smithsonian museum and described as the headman flag, because it was preserved by the pennsylvania family descended from a sergeant headman. Compiled service records of soldiers who served in the american army during the revolutionary war microform by united states. This is the most complete book on the subject of american flags of the war for american independence that i have found. A significant part of the nys military museums permanent collection is a group of nearly 2,000 flags dating from the war of 1812 to the present. The second spartan regiment in the american revolution catherine r. It features red and white horizontal stripes, the colonial snake emblem, which was a symbol of unity since the french and indian war and the phrase dont tread on me, a popular phrase during the revolutionary war. Three american revolutionary war battleflags, 17781780. The history of militia in the united states dates from the colonial era.
In association with the nys office of parks, recreation and historic preservation ophrp. Later, this liberty flag was reportedly carried by the first new york line regiment. The british army during the american revolutionary war served for eight years in campaigns. Each of the thirteen colonies that became the united states when they declared their independence in 1776 had militia units that served on the patriot side during the american revolutionary war. No other example of the national flag had survived from the revolutionary war period. It was one of the few units in the continental army to serve. This data collection contains an estimated 80,000 application files from officers and enlisted men who served in the revolutionary war in all branches of the american military. The continental army was the national army of first the thirteen colonies, and then the independent united states, during the american revolutionary war, established by a resolution of the congress on june 14, 1775, three days before the battle of bunker hill, where it saw its first action under that titlethe continental congress took a number of steps in the spring of 1775 to create the. It was also involved in the failed francoamerican siege of britishheld savannah in that year. Rolls of the soldiers in the revolutionary war, 1775 to. A treasury of information about the military flags used during the war for independence.
New york state battle flags nys military museum and. The flag is described in the book as red field, yellow scrolls, fringe and outer edge of shield. The history of the first flags adopted by our colonial and revolutionary forebears. Compiled service records of soldiers who served in the american army during the revolutionary war on the rolls of this microfilm publication are reproduced the compiled service records of soldiers who served in the american army during the revolutionary war. The 2nd new hampshire regiment was formed in early may 1775, as the second of three continental army regiments raised by the state of new hampshire during the american revolutionary war. The book also mentions that the flag of the sons of liberty prior to the american revolution consisted of 9 vertical red and white stripes. The four white and five red stripes were symbolic of 45, the number of the pamphlet published in 1763 by the english civilrights activist john wilkes, whose influence on the american revolutionary. It gave rise to a great many colourful and unique flags from the armies of both sides. These flags are far less speculative than some of the other wss flags.
Following their defeat at saratoga in upstate new york in 1777, the british decided to implement a southern strategy against the american insurgents. For this reason, there were actually hundreds of revolutionary war flags. In turn, those were influenced by the military traditions of western europe to a. Historical flags of our ancestors american revolutionary.
See more ideas about revolutionaries, american revolution and american. Flag of the month 69th regiment ny volunteer infantry regimental color. List of flags during the american revolutionary war from 17751883. New york regiments in the continental army american.
Caseys regiment hamptons regiment, light dragoons marshells regiment thomsons regiment first company second company third company butlers company, militia captain john irwin. It began when i was painting some covenanters and required some flags. Pennsylvania regiments in the continental army american. Georgia revolutionary war pensions revolutionary war pension and bountyland warrant application files. George washingtons pennsylvania riflemen of 17751777. This includes national, state, regimental, cavalry, and. Similar books to german regiments in the american revolution.
From dont tread on me flags to betsy ross flags, american revolutionary war flags help to tell the story of the united states fight for independence from great britain. The james union flag was altered to form a solid field of red or blue, and the union flag of crosses was placed in the upper left corner canton. Flags of war is a small business that began in 2011. Revolutionary war collectibles 177583 for sale ebay. Whitney smiths flag book of the united states points out that the connecticut arms with three grapevines were used on flags from an early date. American flags of the revolution by the fraunces tavern museum. Massachusetts furnished more regiments to the continental army than any other state, and the story of its line is the most complex. Flags and uniforms of of hessehanau, hessekassel, brunswick, anspachbayreuth. There are dozens of historical flags associated with the american revolution. The revolutionary war, the war of 1812, mexican war, and the civil war union or confederate. Its first commander was colonel enoch poor, with joseph cilley as major. Joining revolutionary war reenactments can be a lot of fun, and you can find many cheap revolutionary war artifacts for sale, including original war uniforms.
Georgia regiments in the continental army american. Many early american flags had 6, 7 or 8 pointed stars. Revolutionary war flags in 1707, at the urging of queen anne, the british adopted a new look as a national symbol. The flag remains, however, one of a small number of american military flags that still exist, and may have been used during the revolutionary war.
Four rare battle flags captured during the american war of independence by a british officer have been returned after more than two centuries to be auctioned. This strikingly beautiful book will become the standard. Where other companies sell small sets of flags of the most limited variety we have seen at least one pack containing 6 of the same mexican infantry regiment. The compiled service records consist of one or more jacketenvelopes for each soldier. On a flag book this flag, representing new england, was correctly printed with. Organized in spring 1777 at philadelphia to consist of 8 companies from york. Washingtons personal position flag webbs continental regiment whiskey rebellion. The first pennsylvania regiment offers historically accurate recreations of the life and times of the revolutionary war soldier, by participating in reenactments and living history events in the uniform of gen.
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