Obverse 1
Obverse 1

Obverse 1

Obverse 2

Obverse 2

Obverse Hoist Detail

Obverse Hoist Detail

Obverse Canton 2

Obverse Canton 2

Obverse Canton 3

Obverse Canton 3

Ob. Hoist Damage

Ob. Hoist Damage

Ob. Star (back of star)

Ob. Star (back of star)

Stripes Damage 1

Stripes Damage 1

Stripes Damage 2

Stripes Damage 2

Ob. Upper Fly

Ob. Upper Fly

Ob. Lower Hoist

Ob. Lower Hoist

Reverse Hoist detail

Reverse Hoist detail

Rv. Dasmage

Rv. Dasmage

Rv Oblique 1

Rv Oblique 1

Rv Oblique 2

Rv Oblique 2

Rv Canton Damage

Rv Canton Damage

Ob Overhead 1

Ob Overhead 1

Ob Overhead 2

Ob Overhead 2

Ob. Overhead 3

Ob. Overhead 3

Sketch

Sketch

ZFC2257

U.S. 23-28 Star Conversion - Fortress Monroe.

Sub-collection: Zaricor Reserve List

U.S. 23 to 28 Conversion Flag - Fortress Monroe.
This large wool garrison flag is an enigma. The flag has been torn vertically into two irregular pieces making accurate identification difficult. It was previously identified as a flag from the 1837 -1846 period when flags had between 26 and 28 stars; however, there is some fabric missing from the star field, creating the possibility of missing stars.

It might have originally had as few as 23 stars and have been converted to a higher star count. A close examination of the overall star design and the stitching in the seven rows of stars makes it clear that the bottom row of stars and possibly some in the top rows were added after the original manufacture. They are asymmetrical when compared to the stars in the second through fifth rows in the body of the canton

For the above-mentioned reasons, it is likely that this flag was originally a 23 star flag, with a 5-4-5-4-5 starfield, originally dating from1820-1821. It is feasible that the flag was converted to other star counts over time in order to keep the flag current. While the ultimate star count is still theoretical the flag currently possesses 27 complete stars and traces of a 28th star in the top row of the canton, indicating that the tear occurred during its representation as a 28 star flag.

The flag is rent in two, and there is a discoloration or a soiled appearance on the fly portion of the torn pieces, indicating that the flag was flying from a free standing pole when the tear took place. The hoist piece was still attached to the pole while the fly piece fell to the ground becoming soiled, accounting for a darker appearance to the fly remnant. This tear must have been caused by severe weather conditions, probably a hurricane. One such storm struck the fortress in 1845, during a visit from President & Mrs. John Tyler, when the 28 star flag was current. Another similar storm struck on 8 September 1846, also during the tenure of the 28 star flag.

The "Fortress Monroe Flag" was for many years displayed in the historical collections of the Lowell Museum of the Hubbard Free Library of, Hallowell, Maine. During this time it was identified by a paper label inscribed, "Fortress Monroe Flag". It was, during this time thought to be a single flag, and displayed as such, folded, in a break-front cabinet. However, it was eventually discovered that there were in fact two flags folded together. This flag and a 35 star Civil War era garrison flag.

Exhibition History:
Lowell Museum, Hubbard Free Library, Hallowell, Maine, circa 1899 to 1987.
"Fortress Monroe Flag"


Provenance:

• Fortress Monroe, Virginia, 1820s to 1860s.
• Acquired and retained by Union Army Paymaster Major Eliphalet Rowell, as a memento of service until 1899.
• By donation to the Lowell Museum in Hallowell, Maine, until 1987.
• Sold via James D Julia Auction House, Fairfield, ME to sold to John Ockerbloom of Kittery Maine, 2004.
• Sold by John Ockerbloom Kittery Maine via Amoskeag Auction House, of Manchester, N.H, to Zaricor Flag Collection, 2004.
Deaccessed Bonhams Americana Auction - 31 January 2025 - Lot 19




ZFC Significant Flag

Sources:



Weinert, Richard P. & Robert Arthur, Defender of the Chesapeake, Shippensburg, 1989, p.81.

Watson, Barbara McNaught, 19th Century Hurricanes, Virginia Hurricanes, 5 October 2011, from: http://capstonelectric.com/Virginia%20Hurricanes.htm

Ockerbloom, John, Fortress Monroe Flags, 30 January 1988, Letter of Authentication to accompany flag.

Fort Monroe, Wikipedia, 31 October 2011, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Monroe

About the Hubbard Free Library, Hubbard Free Library,31 October 2011, from: http://www.hubbardfree.org/about.html

Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection

(Formerly in the U.S. Military Sub-collection.)



Hoist & Fly

Width of Hoist 180
Length of Fly 252

Union/Canton

Width of Union/Canton 98
Length of Union/Canton 104

Stars

Comments on Star Measurements Could be a 26 star flag with two extra stars, or a 29 or more star flag with stars missing
Size of Stars 8

Stripes

Width of 1st Stripe 13.8
Width of 3rd Stripe 13.8
Width of 8th Stripe 13.8
Width of Last Stripe 13.8
Size of Hoist 1.75

Frame

Is it framed? no

Stars

Number of Stars 28
How are the stars embeded? Sewn
Are there stars on obverse? yes
Are there stars on reverse? yes

Stripes

Number of Stripes 13
Color of Top Stripe Red
Color of Bottom Stripe Red
Has a Blood Stripe? no
Comments on Stripes These dimensions are not exact but an average.

Nationality

Nation Represented United States

Fabric

Fabric Wool
Comments on Fabric Cotton star cloth stars
Bunting

Stitching

Stitching Hand

Weave

Type of Weave Plain

Attachment

Comments on Method of Attachmen Upper and lower heading has hand whipped eyelets
Through header
Method of Attachment Loops

Applica

Applique Sides Single Faced = Mirror Image Reverse

Documentation

Documents


Drawings




Research Documents
















Public Copy & Signs
All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.

Condition

Condition Fair
Damage Severe damage and soiling with large holes and fabric missing.
Flag is split in two pieces vertically
Displayable no

Date

Date 1846-1847