November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
A small silk Confederate flag relic beautifully presented in a rectangular thermoplastic figural photographic case with facing pad in place, brass frame and glass preserving a red and a blue silk fragment on inscribed and painted background paper. Inscription, in old brown ink, reads “Piece of the Battleflag / of Co “K” 1st Virginia / Cavalry, CSA April 1865,” over “Howard County/ Md / Dragoons” above crossed Confederate First and Third National flags on spearpoint lances with red ribbons. “1861” written below the former flag and “1865” below the latter; motto “DEO VINDICE” between. A rectangle of red silk is at bottom with a smaller rectangle of blue on top at lower center. A Maryland militia cavalry company, the Howard Dragoons went to Baltimore in April 1861 to restore civil order after the April riots, but was very much secessionist, scouting for Northern troops entering the state before refusing oaths of allegiance or muster into U.S. service and crossing into Virginia instead to become Company K of the 1st Virginia Cavalry about May 14, 1861. In May 1862, on the expiration of their Virginia state service, they formed the nucleus of the 1st Maryland Cavalry Battalion in the C.S. service, and successively became part of the 1st and 2nd Maryland Cavalry. They saw action at Brandy Station, Gettysburg, Winchester and Cedar Creek, participated in General Jubal Early's raid on Washington, aided in General John McCausland's Burning of Chambersburg, served in the Shenandoah and acted as rear guard for Lee's Army of Northern Virginia on the way to Appomattox. All indications are that the fragment was taken from the colors by a veteran of the company at the end of the war and treasured as a valued memento of service to the “lost cause.” CONDITION: Excellent.
Item Dimensions: 4 - 1/2" x 3"
Paperwork
Folder with photo