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  37 STAR, SILK PARADE FLAG WITH GOLD-PAINTED, HAND-STENCILED BATTLE HONORS OF THE 5TH OHIO COLORED INFANTRY, FOUND AMONG THE POSSESSIONS OF COMMANDING OFFICER, COL. JAMES M. CONINE

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 21"x 26.75"
Flag Size (H x L): 11.5" x 17.25"
Description....:
37 STAR, SILK PARADE FLAG WITH GOLD-PAINTED, HAND-STENCILED BATTLE HONORS OF THE 5TH U.S. COLORED TROOPS (FORMERLY THE 127th OHIO), FOUND AMONG THE POSSESSIONS OF COMMANDING OFFICER, COL. JAMES M. CONINE:

37 star American national parade flag, printed on silk, with gold-painted, hand-stenciled lettering that lists the important battle honors of the 5th U.S. Colored Troops, the first all black regiment raised in Ohio. The flag was probably personalized by its owner, Col. James M. Conine, who was the group's commanding officer. It was found among his effects, along with three period photos, all of which were handed down through his family.

The flag is very important among known examples for two reasons. One is its specific history to a black unit. I don't know of any other parade flag that exists with this relationship. The other is the presence of the battle honors. I know of only five styles of printed flags that currently exist with this feature. Like three of the others, this flag is one-of-a-kind. The remaining variety, made for the NY 71st Volunteer Infantry, has at least 30 known examples. Collectively they are among the best of known parade flags with Civil War-related text.

Following is an account of the 5th U.S. Colored Troops, written by Larry Stevens:

"The 127th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, later designated as the 5th U.S. Colored Infantry, was Ohio's outstanding contribution to the many Negro regiments in the Union Army. Prior to the organization of the 127th, a number of colored Ohioans had been recruited for the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, organized in Boston, but were lost in the credits to their state. Then in the summer of 1863, Captain Lewis McCoy of the 115th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was detailed by Governor Tod to direct the recruiting of Negroes in Ohio and a camp was established in Delaware. Progress at first was slow, but the nucleus of a regiment was finally formed. There was no law regulating the organization of colored troops and the War Department had issued no call to them for service. The only law which gave even a semblance of authority to such an organization was known as "The Contraband Law," which gave a colored laborer in the service of the United States ten dollars per month, including three dollars for clothing and seven dollars for pay. Nevertheless, Captain McCoy took the initiative and mustered J.B.T. Marsh into the army as quartermaster of the 127th. Finally the long awaited order, calling colored men into the service and making the organization official, came from the War Department. With the appointment of G.W. Shurtleff of Oberlin, formerly of the 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as Lieutenant Colonel, the name was changed and recruiting was completed. Non-commissioned officers were appointed from the ranks and the regiment fully equipped, left Ohio for Virginia on November 18. Colonel J.W. Conine, appointed by President Lincoln, met the regiment at Norfolk to assume command."
(source: http://www.ohiocivilwar.com/cw127.html)

All but one of the battle honors represent Virginia sites. Among them are such important engagements as New Market Heights and Petersburg, where the 5th U.S. Infantry received an honor on their battle flags following the capture of enemy guns and works on the 15th of June, 1864. Following is the entire list with associated dates:

● New Kent Court House [March 3-4, 1864]
● City Point [ now called Hopewell, May 4th, 1864]
● Fort Darling [part of the campaign that included
Proctor's Creek / Drewry's Bluff, May 12-16, 1864]
● Petersburg [Jun. 15-18, 1864]
● New Market Heights [Sep. 28-30, 1864]
● Fair Oaks [Oct. 27-28, 1864]
● Sugar Loaf Hill [January 19th, 1865]
● Federal Point [February 11th, 1865]
● Wilmington, NC [February 22nd, 1865]

James W. Conine was born in Middleport, Ohio in 1817. Having since moved to Kentucky, he enlisted on June 3rd, 1861 as a 1st Lieutenant with the Kentucky 1st Independent Light Infantry. At the approximate age of 44, he was old among his comrades. He was wounded in July, but recovered from his injuries. During the war, on October 9th of 1862, he married Fannie Curtis of Pomeroy, OH. On November 23rd, 1863, he was formally discharged from the KY 1st I.L.I., when he was promoted to the rank of Colonel. He had been given command of the old 127th on November 20th, just three days prior. Wounded at Petersburg on June 15th of the following year, Conine's injuries would cause his eventual resignation for health reasons on October 5th. He died in Appaclachicola, Florida in 1895.

The three photos of Conine include an 8" x 10" albumen on textured photo paper, a hand-painted copy of the same photo on paper board, and a cabinet card showing him in later years wearing medals of the 9th, 10th, and 18th Corps, and a GAR Post Commander Medal. Family history on the reverse side of the black and white albumen states: "Col. James W. Conine, Ohio, commanded all black troops. My great grandfather. David D. Shaw [signature].

This particular flag was probably purchased by Conine for use at a reunion of Civil War soldiers during the period when we had 37 states. The 37th state, Nebraska, joined the Union on March 1st, 1867. The 37 star flag was official from that year until 1877, although it fell out of use in 1876 with the addition of Colorado.

The 37 star-count is quite scarce in comparison to the flags that immediately preceded and followed it. This is due primarily to the lack of major patriotic events during the period they were used, which followed the Civil War yet preceded the Centennial Celebration. While the 37 star flag was still official in 1876, it was well known that at least one more state would be joining the Union that year. This caused flag makers to cease production in favor of 38 and 39 star flags, which were made as early as 1875 or even prior. For this reason, 37 star flags were seldom produced for the Centennial Exposition, where 38 and 13 star counts (commemorating American independence) were preferred.

Mounting: This is a sandwich mount between 100% cotton velvet and u.v. protective plexiglas. The black fabric was washed and treated to reduce and set the dye. The mount was then placed in a silver gilt frame that dates to the period between 1830 and 1860.

Condition: There are some splits in the fabric, which is typical of silk flags made after 1850. The fabric was weighted with mineral salts and other agents, which caused this breakdown. Taking this fact and the age of the flag into consideration, the condition is quite excellent. The colors and the text are vibrant. There is a minor amount of foxing and staining, but the extraordinary rarity of the flag warrants practically any condition.
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 37
Earliest Date of Origin: 1867
Latest Date of Origin: 1876
State/Affiliation: Ohio
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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