Flags to Fight Under

Part II Union Flags

By Robert C Sweeney Jr
Traditionally and by regulation; all United States Regiments of Infantry had two colors: a National color (the Stars
and Stripes) and a Regimental color which bore the Coat of Arms of the United States or some other device. By military
definition, colors is meant to indicate the Nationals and Regimental flags carried by foot troops; standards is meant to
indicate the National and Regimental flags of mounted troops (normally smaller in size than colors).
Although the Stars and Stripes was the most often carried Regimental Flag (usually with Regimental ID sewn into
th
the 4 red stripe); many Militia and State Regiments used a colorful variety of flags to identify their individual units.
Surprisingly, many States did not have or create a State Flag until after the conflict and those that did bear little
resemblance to the flags flown by those States today. Regimental Flags could be made of various shades of blue
backgrounds with State, City or other Emblems applied. Others would be handmade by local organizations or regions which
sponsored the unit. Still others would be modified or historic flags used at the whim of the Regiment (a common tactic was
to reuse old flags or to add or remove stars from current or past National colors). Note: Some colors were sewn so that the
image sewn on the front is reversed on the rear this is the pattern I have chosen to use. Others were made in pairs and
sewn so that the images are the same from either viewing.
OK, so I would like to make my battlefield more colorful, my Regiments easier to identify and separate from the
masses and to do so at the least cost possible. So after much research (and some minor creativity) I have found some
flags to share with my JRIII breathern. Most of these images came from the Internet. I tried to use publically available
sources such as State, Museum and Re-enactor sites. To my knowledge, none of these images are copyrighted nor bore a
request of acknowledgement. If I have erred, I humbly apologize. Further, some of the images have either been created
from scratch or are modified images using my poor skills interpretations are my own and if in error feel free not to use
them. Normally, I use a two foot rule if it looks good at two feet or further its good enough for my gaming purposes. I
have presented the flags so that they may be cut out and used with 15mm miniatures and the flag on the left side is most
often the inverted mirror of the image on the right.

National Colors
The 33 Star Flags

Official 33 Star Flag adopted July

4, 1859

Official 34 Star Flag adopted July

4, 1861

Official 35 Star Flag adopted July

4, 1863

34 Star 13/34 Variant

35 Star Oval Pattern

National Flag Variants

34 Star Cluster Pattern

34 Star Wheel Pattern used
mainly by NJ Regiments

33 Star Ft Sumter Pattern

33 Star Great Star Pattern

34 Star Great Star Pattern

spaces on hoist side intentional

33 Star Diamond Pattern

34 Star Phalanx Pattern

The 34 Star Flags

34 Star Six Row Variant carried

by some WVa Regiments

The 35 Star Flags

Eagle Regimental

Pennsylvania Regimental

Sherman HQ

69th Maryland

Select Regimental Flags

New York Regimental

st

Republic Style

1 Irish

Vermont Regimental
11th New York (Zouave)

rd

3 US Colored Infantry
Vermont Regimental

1st Michigan

12th Wisconsin

Burnside HQ

th

24th US Colored Infantry

5 Ohio
Army of Cumberland HQ

Other Flags
13th Connecticut

th

11 Pennsylvania
Army of the Tennessee HQ

st

21st Iowa

41 New York
Army of the Ohio HQ

Suggested Use: Cut out Color as one piece (leave front and back images attached). Using a white glue (I
change Colors based on battles being fought white glue makes this removal easy), wrap the color around the
pole treating the white area between the flags as a hoist. Color or paint the white portion (hoist) to match the
flagpole. Before the glue sets, add waves by bending and partially folding the Color so as to resemble wind
effects for a more realistic appearance. This is best done while the glue is still wet for best and long lasting
effect.