[CIVIL WAR]. Fifth Iowa Infantry or Cavalry regimental flag, possibly a commemorative post-war example.

Approx. 21 1/2 x 22 1/2 in. embroidered silk flag inclusive of fringe; housed in double-sided frame, 24 3/8 x 24 3/8 in. overall.

The flag itself is double-sided with the words "Fifth Regiment / Iowa" embroidered around a white calla lily on Prussian blue silk.

Recruited between 24 June and 3 July 1862, the companies rendezvoused in Burlington, IA, and were mustered into service 15-17 July. They saw action throughout the Western Theater at the Battle of Island No. 10, the Seige of Corinth, Battle of Port Gibson, and the Siege of Vicksburg before moving east as a part of the Chattanooga Campaign, where they were especially bloodied by Granbury's Texas Brigade during the Battle of Missionary Ridge on 24-25 November 1863. Notably, it was recorded that during the battle, 82 men were captured along with the regimental colors. (Cozzens, The Shipwreck of Their Hopes: The Battles for Chattanooga, p. 236-7). In August 1864, the regiment was amalgamated with the 5th Iowa Cavalry.

It is possible that the flag offered here represents the Fifth Iowa Infantry or Fifth Iowa Cavalry. The size of the flag suggests that it may have served as a flank marker for the infantry regiment. Each typically had two, one for each flank of the regiment in line of battle. No further provenance accompanies the flag, which may have been made during the Civil War or post-war. Z-twist black thread was used in the construction in the flag, further indicating that it may have been produced as a commemorative flag following the war.

Property from the James Milgram, M.D., Collection of Ephemeral Americana and Historical Documents

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Flag: Some splitting, light fading to recto, color retained well on verso.

Frame: Crack to glass on verso pane, not examined out of frame.

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Katie Horstman

VP, Head of Department, American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

[email protected]513.666.4958

Ms. Horstman has spent over a decade specializing in historic photography and Americana at auction. During her tenure, she has overseen several notable single owner auctions, including property from the inventory of celebrated Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman. During her time with the firm, she has maintained an active membership in the Daguerreian Society. Ms. Horstman holds an MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Art History from The Ohio State University.

American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography, including The Larry Ness Collection of Native American Photography

[CIVIL WAR]. Fifth Iowa Infantry or Cavalry regimental flag, possibly a commemorative post-war example.

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