Michigan State Capitol SlideShow

First Brigade, Fourteenth Army Corps Designating Flag

Designating flag for the First Brigade, Fourteenth Army Corps. "Designating flags" identified the command headquarters of army units. They were often swallowtail guidons or pennants. Their symbols and colors identified the brigade, division, corps and army of the command headquarters.

First Brigade, Third Division, Fifth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac Designating Flag

Designating flag of the First Brigade, Third Division, Fifth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. "Designating flags" identified the command headquarters of army units. They were often swallowtail guidons or pennants like this one. Their symbols and colors identified the brigade, division, corps and army of the command headquarters. The Maltese cross identifies this flag as belonging to the Fifth Corps. Blue on white indicated the Third Division. The black crepe trim on the Third Division flag may have been placed there to mourn the death of Abraham Lincoln.

First Division, Ninth Army Corps Designating Flag

Designating flag for the First Division, Ninth Army Corps. "Designating flags" identified the command headquarters of army units. They were often swallowtail guidons or pennants. Their symbols and colors identified the brigade, division, corps and army of the command headquarters.

First Division Twentieth Army, Army of the Cumberland Designating Flag

Designating flag of the First Division, Twentieth Army, Army of the Cumberland. "Designating flags" identified the command headquarters of army units. They were often swallowtail guidons or pennants. Their symbols and colors identified the brigade, division, corps and army of the command headquarters.

First Michigan Cavalry Battle Flag

On 28 September, 1861, Colonel Thornton Brodhead received this flag on behalf of the First Michigan Cavalry Regiment. On 30 August, 1862, at Second Bull Run, Brodhead was shot. Knowing he was dying, he wrote, his wife: "I hope from heaven I may see the glorious old flag wave again over the individual Union I have loved so well. Farewell wife and Babes and Friends. We shall meet again."

First Michigan Cavalry Battle Flag

The First Michigan Cavalry was organized at Detroit between August 21 and September 6, 1861.

First Michigan Colored Infantry (National) Battle Flag

At the start of the Civil War, African-Americans were not allowed to serve in the Union Army although many were eager to do so. Although Congress authorized the raising of African-American regiments in 1862, it was not until early 1863—after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued—that heavy recruitment began. The First Michigan Colored Infantry Regiment, made up—like other such regiments—of black soldiers and white officers, began training in the fall of 1863. On 5 January, 1864, the Colored Ladies Aid Society presented them with a flag. The following month they were mustered in as federal troops, known as the 102nd Regiment United States Colored Troops. The 102nd served on picket duty, built fortifications, destroyed railroads and engaged the enemy.

First Michigan Colored Infantry (National) Battle Flag

At the start of the Civil War, African-Americans were not allowed to serve in the Union Army although many were eager to do so. Although Congress authorized the raising of African-American regiments in 1862, it was not until early 1863—after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued—that heavy recruitment began. The First Michigan Colored Infantry Regiment, made up—like other such regiments—of black soldiers and white officers, began training in the fall of 1863. On 5 January, 1864, the Colored Ladies Aid Society presented them with a flag. The following month they were mustered in as federal troops, known as the 102nd Regiment United States Colored Troops. The 102nd served on picket duty, built fortifications, destroyed railroads and engaged the enemy.

First Michigan Colored Infantry (Regimental) Battle Flag

At the start of the Civil War, African-Americans were not allowed to serve in the Union Army although many were eager to do so. Although Congress authorized the raising of African-American regiments in 1862, it was not until early 1863—after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued—that heavy recruitment began. The First Michigan Colored Infantry Regiment, made up—like other such regiments—of black soldiers and white officers, began training in the fall of 1863. On 5 January, 1864, the Colored Ladies Aid Society presented them with a flag. The following month they were mustered in as federal troops, known as the 102nd Regiment United States Colored Troops. The 102nd served on picket duty, built fortifications, destroyed railroads and engaged the enemy.

First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics (National) Battle Flag

This regiment was mustered in at Marshall in October, 1861. Made up primarily of engineers and mechanics, the regiment did not function as a unit but was broken into four detachments assigned to divisions of the Army of the Ohio. Before the troops left for war they probably received this flag at a review attended by ten thousand people and Governor Austin Blair.

First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics (National) Battle Flag

This regiment was mustered in at Marshall in October, 1861. Made up primarily of engineers and mechanics, the regiment did not function as a unit but was broken into four detachments assigned to divisions of the Army of the Ohio. Before the troops left for war they probably received this flag at a review attended by ten thousand people and Governor Austin Blair.

First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics (Regimental) Battle Flag

This regiment was mustered in at Marshall in October, 1861. Made up primarily of engineers and mechanics, the regiment did not function as a unit but was broken into four detachments assigned to divisions of the Army of the Ohio. Before the troops left for war they probably received this flag at a review attended by ten thousand people and Governor Austin Blair.

First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics Battle Flag remnants

This regiment was mustered in at Marshall in October, 1861. Made up primarily of engineers and mechanics, the regiment did not function as a unit but was broken into four detachments assigned to divisions of the Army of the Ohio. Before the troops left for war they probably received this flag at a review attended by ten thousand people and Governor Austin Blair.

First Michigan Infantry (Guidon) Battle Flag

The First Michigan was the first regiment raised in Michigan after President Abraham Lincoln called for volunteers, mustered into service in 1861.

First Michigan Infantry (Guidon) Battle Flag