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  2. Textiles (132)

Civil War battle flag

Creator:
unknown
Location:
unknown
Origin Date:
1860-1865
Materials:
cloth
Measurements:
overall: 60 in x 96 in
Item ID:
71.2009.082.0165
Holding Institution:
Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum
Available for Viewing:
No
Category:
Textiles

Description

This is a cotton Civil War battle flag from the 47th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, done much in the style of the traditional American flag. There are 13 alternating red and white stripes (7 red and 6 white). "Liberty & Union" is painted in gold across some of the stripes. The blue canton in the top inner corner is painted with thirty-four gold stars in a circular pattern. The following words are painted in gold lettering inside the circle: "Pekin Invincibles. Co. No. 2." A handwritten note accompanying the flag reads: "Flag presented to Co. No. 2 by the ladies of Pekin/ Presentation speech made by Mrs. H. P. Westerman. This flag was used as the Battle flag of the 47th Reg. Ill. Vol." Other collection items associated with Mrs. Henry P. Westerman are a letter from John Hay and two Lincoln photographs signed by President Abraham Lincoln to be sold at the Tazewell County Sanitary Fair in Illinois (housed at ACPL in Fort Wayne, IN), a funeral relic (item ID 71.2009.082.0100), and a badge worn by a member of the Ladies Soldiers Aid Society (item ID 71.2009.082.0154) with a note from Mrs. Westerman. Part of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum