Photo Scan

Photo Scan

Reverse

Reverse

Obverse

Obverse

Obversae - Detail

Obversae - Detail

Detail

Detail

Rev. Hoist Lwr. Corner

Rev. Hoist Lwr. Corner

Upr. Rev. Hoist

Upr. Rev. Hoist

Reverse - 2

Reverse - 2

Detail

Detail

Rev. Upper Hoist Corner

Rev. Upper Hoist Corner

Reverse Detail

Reverse Detail

Reverse

Reverse

Obverse - Detail

Obverse - Detail

Emblem - Detail

Emblem - Detail

Emblem - Detail - 2

Emblem - Detail - 2

Lwr. Fly Obverse

Lwr. Fly Obverse

Upper Fly Obverse

Upper Fly Obverse

Upper Hoist Obverse

Upper Hoist Obverse

Lwr. Hoist Obverse

Lwr. Hoist Obverse

Reverse - 2

Reverse - 2

Reverse Corner

Reverse Corner

ZFC2206

U.S. Militia Dragoon Standard 1818-1819.

Sub-collection: U.S. Military

U.S. 21 Star Militia Dragoon Standard - Very Early Mounted Troops Flag.
This Militia Dragoon standard is dated to the period of 1818 - 1819, following the admission of Illinois and before the admission of Alabama and Maine. The flag pre-dates the 1833 regulations for dragoon standards, and is in accordance with the general pattern of US colors (the US arms on a blue field). As such, this flag is thought to be a field expedient standard, possibly made on what was then the western frontier.

The flag is made from glazed wool instead of the traditional silk and from fabrics locally available at the time. This provides further evidence for the supposition of frontier or rural fabrication.

Although silk standards would normally be issued to a dragoon regiment, it is likely that this was a company standard made for an unknown state militia; again, probably on the western Indian frontier of Illinois.

Of interest is the use of a young American Bald Eagle, instead of the traditional fully fledged bird. Although it is tempting to speculate that the artist intended to represent the young, growing and still emerging nation, all we can definitely conclude is that this eagle does not bear all of the traditional symbols found on regulation dragoon flags, such as the arrows and the olive branch.

It is noteworthy the pattern and shape of the flag is different than what most people associate cavalry flags being a swallow tail or Guidon shape. The Guidon shape was not adopted by the US Calvary until 1833 when it was standardized with the swallowtail shape and the colors were designated with one half of the top portion of the flag a field of red and the other half was white, creating the saying or description "Red over White" which is still in use today.

ZFC Significant Flag


Provenance:
• Acquired by purchase by Zaricor Flag collection, via Cowan's Auctions, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2004.


Sources:



Madaus, Howard M., correspondence to Wes Cowan, 25 November 2003, Zaricor Flag Collection Archives

Dragoon, Wikipedia, 12 November 2011, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragoon#United_States

1st Cavalry Regiment (United States), Wikipedia, 12 November 2011, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Cavalry_Regiment_%28United_States%29

Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection

CSG
MLS
MLF



Hoist & Fly

Width of Hoist 41
Length of Fly 46.5

Stars

Comments on Star Measurements Inset stars cut away on the reverse

Frame

Is it framed? no

Stars

Number of Stars 21
Are there stars on obverse? yes
Are there stars on reverse? yes

Stripes

Has a Blood Stripe? no

Crest/Emblem

Description of Crest/Emblem Young American eagle surrounded by 21 (5) point white stars

Nationality

Nation Represented United States

Fabric

Fabric Wool
Comments on Fabric Glazed blue wool bunting field with white wool border with red twill tape accents.
Bunting

Stitching

Stitching Hand

Weave

Type of Weave Plain

Attachment

Comments on Method of Attachmen String ties have been placed through the loops on the hoist edge.
Method of Attachment Ties

Applica

Applique Sides Double Faced = Reads correctly on both sides

Documentation

Documents


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

Condition

Condition Good
Damage Flag has some insect damage, wear and tear.
Displayable yes

Date

Date 1819-1822