Jim Martin
Some Alabama Flag Images
Fri Feb 9 13:57:34 2001



For those of you with an interest in vexillology, here are some Alabama Confederate flags that have recently been sold.

Flag of the 42nd Ala Infantry


Confederate Battle Flag of the 42nd Alabama Infantry

Battle of Corinth  Siege of Vicksburg  Missionary Ridge  Battle of Atlanta

3 Flag Bearers died while carrying this during the Battle of Corinth



Confederate Regimental Battle Flag  42nd Alabama Infantry - made in September 1862 by the Ladies of Columbus, Mississippi out of silk wedding dress material and presented to Major W.C. Fergus of the 42nd Alabama which was encamped near the Confederate Depot at Columbus, Mississippi just before the Battle of Corinth where 3 color bearers died carrying this regimental battle flag to the top of Battery Robinett during one of the most famous charges of the war in which the 42nd Alabama lost over 100 men. The fourth Confederate soldier to pick up this flag was Pvt. John T. Perry of Monroe County, Alabama, he survived the battle and remained the color bearer throughout the remainder of the war. The 42nd Alabama was captured en-masse at the fall of Vicksburg in 1863 where Pvt. Perry secretly hid the flag inside his uniform and smuggled it through the Union lines as a paroled prisoner. He later carried this flag at the Battle of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge as well as the Battle of Atlanta. Upon surrender he gave this flag to Miss Lodie Girard of Mobile, Alabama, who sewed it to the inside of her dress to prevent its capture by Union troops. This is one of the most well documented and early Confederate battle flags in existence. It still retains its deep blood red color and was made specifically for the 42nd Alabama Infantry by the patriotic Ladies of Columbus, Mississippi, where it was first flown at the Battle of Corinth. It has a 35-inch long blue and white silk streamer with "Hinson Guards  42nd Ala.," painted in gold. The battle flag is regimentally identified with "42nd Ala. Regt." hand embroidered in white silk, it has a handsewn gilt fringe, and has been archivally mounted and framed by Fonda Thomsen. A remarkable and historically exciting showpiece as well as one of the finest battle flags in existence carried by a hard fighting Confederate regiment who gave their lives to fight under this flag (45 x 57 1/2 inches; accompanied by letters of authentication and research by Howard Madaus and Fonda Thompson.

Price. . . . . $ 175,000.00 SOLD

Flag of the Watts Cadets


Confederate Second National Flag Presented to the Watts Cadets God Armeth the Patriot

Handpainted view of the Alabama State Capitol flying a Confederate Flag

A unique and historical Second National flag made by the women of Montgomery, Alabama - A unique and historical Second National flag made by the women of Montgomery, Alabama in the last year of the war for the Watts Cadets. Organized in January, 1865 and named in honor of Alabama Confederate Governor Thomas H. Watts the regiment acted as guards for the Alabama State Capitol. Its interesting to note that Alabama fell to Union troops in May of 1865 and most certainly these Watts Cadets were standing guard when the city surrendered. Another interesting perspective is that Montgomery was the first capitol of the Confederacy and the Confederate government was formed in this building before moving to Richmond in 1861. This rare flag is accompanied by lengthy research and provenance from the family that originally owned it. They had previously loaned it to the Alabama state archives between 1900 and 1950 and it was purchased directly from the letter of provenance accompanies the flag from the turn of the century in which one of the original members of the Watts cadets goes on to state as follows, “The Watts Cadets have the necessary amount of patriotism and enthusiasm. They were gathered after Montgomery’s young menhood had gone forth, most of them never to return. And after the Silver Greys the fathers and grandfathers had gone to the front to also meet the invader. These cadets were organized from the Franklin Academy which was a large frame structure. It was understood at the time that the boys were to make the last stand in defense of our homes as late in 1864 and early in 1865 the place was threatened by Union forces which were always near at hand. The company had two flags. A small one was presented by Miss Ella Montgomery and a larger one presented by Miss Hardaway. The Watts Cadets were armed with carbines manufactured in Alabama for the use of cavalry and although the guns were new they were about as dangerous to the men who fired them as I remember several of them burst the first time they were fired. The Watts cadets went into camp somewhere between Mildred and Jeff Davis Avenue for the defense of the city. They were later ordered to the outskirts of the city to repel the advance of the Yankees and a part of the company went to Mobile where they were captured and paroled and sent home.” A superb flag handmade by Miss Hardaway of red, white and blue silk with extensive gold curtain fringe throughout. Not only was this flag specifically made for and clearly identified to the Watts Cadets, it is also a very rare example of a Confederate flag bearing a hand drawn illustration and more importantly it is the only surviving drawing of the Old Alabama State Capitol building. Interestingly enough, it’s a variant of a Confederate Second National Flag and the hand painted illustration on the flag depicts a Confederate First National Flag flying above the Alabama State Capitol. An important rarity (accompanied by over 200 pages of provenance from the family. Size: 29” by 47”. Beautifully framed Price. . . . . $ 45,000.00 SOLD

These images and descriptions are taken from the Gary Hendershott Museum Consultants website at http://www.garyhendershott.com

Finally, does anyone know who or what entity purchased these flags?








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