5th Vermont Infantry Regimental Flag

5th Vermont Infantry Regimental Flag

Manufactured by Charles Eaton

5th Regiment Infantry regimental flag. Attached to staff by ties. Fringe present. There are 34 gold painted stars arranged in a large circle, 4.5 inches on center, and 46 inch diameter. "5th Regt. Vermont Vols." Place of issue: Burlington, VT. Date of issue: 02/06/1864. Once again, Quartermaster Davis had ordered a set of colors from Charles Eaton. At the Battle of the Wilderness, the brand new regimental flag went into action rolled up, but when a Confederate bullet pierced the flagstaff, it also pierced the flag in many places. Another bullet grazed the staff just below the flag. At the Battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864, a piece of shell removed the spear-shaped finial from the regimental color. After less than a year of service, the regimental color was in tatters. Lieutenant Colonel John R. Lewis wrote to Vermont's new Quartermaster General, Perley Pitkin, regarding its condition. The flag was forwarded for preservation in the State Capitol.

1864

59 x 62 inches

1870.001.032

Boston, MA

Vermont State Curator's Office, 2 Gov. Aiken Avenue,
Montpelier, VT 05633