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  32 STARS IN A ONE-OF-A-KIND PATTERN ON A DYNAMIC FLAG WITH PURPORTED CONFEDERATE CAPTURE HISTORY AT THE FIRST MANASSAS; A VERY RARE STAR COUNT, OFFICIAL FOR 1 YEAR AND ACCURATE FOR JUST 9 MONTHS, MINNESOTA STATEHOOD, 1858-59

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 54.25" x 73.25"
Flag Size (H x L): 42.5" x 61"
Description....:
32 STARS IN A ONE-OF-A-KIND PATTERN ON A DYNAMIC FLAG WITH PURPORTED CONFEDERATE CAPTURE HISTORY AT THE FIRST MANASSAS; A VERY RARE STAR COUNT, OFFICIAL FOR 1 YEAR AND ACCURATE FOR JUST 9 MONTHS, MINNESOTA STATEHOOD, 1858-59:

32 star American flags are rare. This is largely because they were only official for one year (1858-59), but it is also a result of the fact that this time frame occurred prior to the Civil War, in an era when use of the Stars & Stripes on land in the private sector fell somewhere between slim and non-existent.

Minnesota joined the Union as the 32nd state on May 11th, 1858. The 32 star flag became official on July 4th of that year and remained so until July 3rd of 1859. Since Oregon joined the Union on February 14th, 1859 however, production of 32 star flags probably ceased well before July. For this reason, the 32-star count likely saw use for only 9 months. This made it one of the shortest lived flags in early America.

This particular 32 star flag is homemade, constructed of cotton and entirely hand-sewn. The handiwork is endearingly amateur in several respects. Hand-cut stars, irregular in shape, were applied to the blue canton with simple basting stitches. More or less tacked as opposed to finely sewn, these are arranged a lineal pattern that features a huge center star with a misshapen profile, tall and narrow, with an off-balance stance and arms of varying length. This feature is the focal point of a presentation that, though unintended by the maker, has exceptional folk qualities.

The smaller stars are essentially aligned in 6 columns, with the center two broken to accommodate the large center star. The last column has one fewer star than numbers 1, 2, and 5, so that a triangle of stars is created between the 5th and 6th columns.

Since fewer than 10 flags of the 1858-59 period with pieced-and-sewn sewn construction are presently known with 32 stars, this is easily unique among them. It is also unique across Stars & Stripes of all periods. Lineal configurations that incorporate a large star are very rare in early American flags and this one is odd is its own right.

Other elements of the flag's construction contribute to its crude appearance. Note how the blue canton was inserted in the center of the 4th white stripe. Although there was no official placement until 1912, normally it would rest on top of the stripe. Also note how the white stripes are noticeably wider than the red.

The amount of fading, wear, soiling and oxidation may in some cases detract from a flag's presentation. In this case the condition contributes to the collection of attributes that make this flag look its part for the period, exhibiting age and use in an overall attractive manner.

The flag has some interesting specific history. It was formerly in the collection of the Civil War Soldiers Museum of Pensacola, Florida, which was forced to close in September 2004 after the roof was torn asunder by Hurricane Ivan, damaging or destroying about two fifths of the collection. It was donated to the museum by the descendents of Thomas Cawood, who enlisted with Co. K of the 3rd Tennessee Infantry (mounted) on June 6th, 1862 in the Provisional Confederate Army, then reenlisted as a Sergeant with Co. H of the 1st Tennessee Cavalry, on September 1st of that year, later transferring to Companies H and L. Cawood survived the war and mustered out on June 14th (Flag Day), 1865 at Nashville.

An accompanying note, penned by a family member in the 1980’s, reads as follows: "This flag was picked up on the battlefield of the First Manasses [sic] in 1861 by Thomas Cawood, a Confederate soldier and presented to Camel E. Warren (sp ?) by John Cawood.

While one must always be suspect of family lore in early flags, as stories tend to get distorted or disjointed by the passage of time, in this case there is at least some good reason to give credence to the information. First, the flag is of the expected size that tended to be made by private individuals for military use, and would have been ideal for mounted infantry [which, in contrast to cavalry, rode from place to place, but dismounted and fought on foot]. Second, remnants of silk ties along the hoist end are a typical feature of battle flags in this period, which were often tied to their staffs. Third, the manner of wear is consistent with extended field use of a homemade cotton flag, being precisely what I would expect and have seen before in others of the period. In addition to the outwardly apparent losses, there is clear evidence that there were multiple replacements in the silk ties. The flag was examined by textile expert Fonda Thomsen in 2008 and her analysis concurs with my own in this regard. Her report states as follows:

"After a thorough examination of the materials and construction of this flag, as well as a comparison of these materials with previous examinations of documented period flags, it is my opinion, as a Textile Conservator, that the materials and construction of this flag are consistent with the reported history…". Fonda also states "The First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry participated in the battle under the command of Colonel Willis Gorman as part of the First Brigade of the 3rd Division. This unit suffered the heaviest losses of any unit during that engagement and retreated in great haste. It is quite possible this flag was carried by a soldier or unit from the First Minnesota as a personnel item or company flag…" And she concludes, "In summary, the results of my examination support a period of construction in the mid 19th century."

All-in-all, a very rare flag with a great, early presentation and appropriate wear for the suspected interesting history.

Construction: Following are the construction notes as compiled by Fonda Thomsen:

"Except for the ties, the flag is intact as originally constructed. There has been additional sewing on some of the stars but all of the fabrics appear to be original. The red cotton is 2/2 twill pattern as is the blue canton. The white fabrics are all plain woven.

In the original construction, basically two sewing threads were used, a 3 ply S cotton for the stars and hems and a 3/2 S cotton for the stripes and inserting the canton.

The ties are a completely different story. The remaining evidence suggests the bottom three pairs of ties were constructed of white silk, sewn to the reverse side of the hem with a dark blue 2 ply S silk thread. On the canton, a blue silk ribbon approximately 5/8” wide was sewn to the reverse side of the hem with the same 2 ply S silk thread. These fragments still remain.

When the bottom two white silk ties tore away, a blue (now appears grey), heavy cotton fabric was sewn to the same spot with a heavy white 3 ply S cotton thread. The 3rd pair of white silk ties on the 5th stripe from the top was replaced with a heavy red cotton fabric that has a white and black line pattern on one edge. This fabric was attached with the same heavy 3 ply S cotton thread as the two bottom blue ties.

The bottom corner had a third pair of ties added at a later time that still remain. The tie fabric is a heavy blue cotton attached with a heavy white 3 ply S cotton thread.

The stars were originally attached with a light 3 ply S Cotton thread. The large center star was attached with a row of running stitch around the perimeter leaving the edges the edges unturned. The smaller stars were attached with the same with the same thread using a crude basting stitch. There is evidence that at some time and attempt was made to attach the stars further with glue. These appears to have been on the obverse side only. The glue stains appear around most of the stars many of which have the points folded over. The basting stitch did not attach them so they stayed flat. Some of the stars are also crudely stitched in the center with the same heavy thread as used to attach the 2nd pair of ties. Three stars on the reverse have an added stitch or two of the 3/2 S thread."

And from a previous paragraph in Fonda's report: "The blue fabric in the cords matches the fabric in the canton. The tassels appear to be home made and there is no blue fabric missing from the canton; there for, the tassels must have been assembled with the flag was first constructed and additional material was available."

Mounting: The flag has been hand-sewn to 100% silk organza throughout for support. It was then hand-stitched to a background of 100% hemp fabric. The mount was then placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic.

Condition: Following are the condition notes as compiled by Fonda Thomsen:

"The flag is intact except for damage from use. The top and bottom red stripes have missing frayed fabric. The hem at the end of the 3rd and 5th red stripes has come open and the fabrics are frayed. The top corner of the leading edge has about 1” of fabric missing.

The fabric is faded and weak. The red stripes are now brown in color with the only evidence of red found inside the turned hems. The white cotton stripes and stars have oxidized to a tan color. The blue canton still retains strong color but is soiled and lightly faded.

The fabrics are lightly soiled throughout. The canton and stars in particular have small (.1mm) spots of dark accretions and staining. This could be soot.

The ties are completely missing with only stubs remaining except for the two blue ties on the canton. They actually still have an inch or so of fabric. Additional tie fabrics have been placed over the original at a later time."
Collector Level: Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 32
Earliest Date of Origin: 1858
Latest Date of Origin: 1859
State/Affiliation: Minnesota
War Association: 1777-1860 Pre-Civil War
Price: Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281
 

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