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  THE CONFEDERATE STARS & BARS BATTLE FLAG OF THE 5TH LOUISINANA INFANTRY (KENNEDY'S BATTALLION OF NEW ORLEANS), 1861

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 61.5" x 81.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 48" x 67.5"
Description....:
THE CONFEDERATE STARS & BARS BATTLE FLAG OF THE 5TH LOUISINANA INFANTRY (KENNEDY'S BATTALLION OF NEW ORLEANS), 1861:

The survival of the Stars & Bars battle flag of the 5th Louisiana Infantry leaves little doubt that this Kentucky-raised unit, made up of New Orleans me, was well-funded. Its canton and field of 3 bars are constructed of finely hand-sewn silk. More impressive, however, is its spun, metallic wire fringe and its large, bespangled stars, all of which are constructed of metallic bullion that was probably obtained in Paris. The French had long been the master-producers of this type of decorative trim. The sequins and fancifully twisted wire were typically made of precious metal, traditionally with a content of approximately 98% silver and 2% gold (to add a yellow tone and deter tarnishing). The stars are created by the layering of spiral wire and sequins and their three-dimensional form adds striking visual impact.

Although the maker of the flag is unknown, this is the kind of quality construction seen in Union Army colors made by such firms as Tiffanies in New York, which had a hand in the production of many fine goods other than silver during the early days of its existence.

Although the condition of the flag is fragmented, it's survival alongside the unit's two flank markers makes it an important artifact of both Southern Civil War history and American flag history. It is particularly interesting to note that possibly no other Confederate battle flags have survived in private hands that are part of a full stand of privately owned Confederate colors. The two flank marker guidons are even more interesting due to the presence of gilt-painted lettering within their respective wreaths of bullion stars that bear the unit's name: "Kennedy Battalion of Orleans". Almost no known, privately owned Confederate national colors share this very rare trait. In fact, the same goes for Union Army examples. In summary, Civil War battle flags in Stars & Stripes or Confederate National patterns that bear unit names are practically, if not entirely, unknown outside the walls of various museum and state collections.

The Kennedy Battalion:

In August of 1861, the 5th Louisiana Infantry Battalion, a.k.a. "Kennedy's Battalion of Orleans", was sworn into Confederate Service at Columbus, Kentucky. Commanded by Lt. Colonel John B. G. Kennedy, the group had formerly been part of the Louisiana Militia, which was formed in 1860, and its men were from the Orleans Parrish.

The battalion was sent to Columbus by Governor Moore, to protect the "Columbus Line" along the Mississippi River. This included the town, itself, plus the Madrid Bend of the Mississippi and Island #10. Governor Moore was responding to Secretary of War Leroy P. Walker's March 9th, 1861 appeal to Louisiana for 1,700 troops, which were requested to protect the Mississippi defenses. The Louisiana Legislature approved the request on March 15th, 1861 and authorized the equipping of state troops. On November 7th of that year, the Kennedy Battalion fought against General Grant at The Battle of Belmont. Neither side fought well, but Grant believed his attack against Columbus prevented the Confederates from invading Missouri.

On February 9th, 1862, the Kennedy Battalion of Orleans was reorganized into the 21st Louisiana Infantry, again commanded by John B. G. Kennedy. The newly formed regiment was again ordered to strengthen Island #10, which controlled primary access to the Mississippi.

On February 23rd, 1862, a portion of the regiment began to construct batteries for heavy artillery pieces. Then, on March 17th, 1862, the regiment left for Fort Pillow, serving the garrison there until the fort was evacuated in May. The regiment went on to Corinth, where they fought a skirmish at Bridge Creek. It then joined a larger portion of the Confederate Army, traveling to Tupelo, where, on July 28th, General Bragg ordered the regiment disbanded by Special Order #222. So Kennedy's Battalion (5th LA), then Regiment (21st LA), served from August 1861 to July 28th, 1862.

Very little is known about John B.G. Kennedy. He enlisted at the rank of Lt. Colonel and was later promoted to Colonel, though the date of his enlistment and former residence are unknown. After the regiment disbanded, Kennedy spent the remainder of the war trying to get reinstated. In fact, it appears that went so far as to falsify orders, having been branded a "Thief and Impostor" by the Inspector General's Office on November 13th, 1862. He afterwards traveled to Augusta, Georgia and attempted, without success, to become a purchasing agent.

Since Kennedy's Battalion became Kennedy's Regiment in 1862, one can be fairly certain that the flag was made around the time that Kennedy's Battalion was mustered into active service. It may have been brought out again, to be carried by Kennedy's Regiment, though it would probably not have been made specifically for that unit, with the name "Battalion" on the flag. The flag's known specific history of use, when combined with such extraordinary graphics and a small, though impressive, easily displayable size, result in the most interesting Stars & Bars that we have ever offered for sale.

Mounting: This is a pressure mount between 100% cotton velvet laid over a cast aluminum, honeycomb supported strainer and U.V. protective acrylic. Cotton quilt batting was placed behind the velvet to aid in the pillow style backing. Holes were pierced in the velvet and cotton batting to accommodate the bullion stars. The mount was then placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed, Italian molding with an ogee profile and a rippled inner edge.

Condition: The red and white silk are in a fragmentary state. These areas were ghosted out by placing fabric of similar coloration behind the flag during the conservation process. Fine netting was laid over the original silk and its ghosted background and lightly affixed with archival adhesive. Silk of this period almost always experiences breakdown due to addition of weighting agents that were caustic to the fabric over time. These weighting agents increased the amount of money that a merchant could obtain for the silk, sold be the pound instead of by length. There has been some loss in the fringe, but the fringe and stars are largely in very good condition. This unit was quite active, so its state of preservation given its construction is entirely expected.
Collector Level: Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 11
Earliest Date of Origin: 1861
Latest Date of Origin: 1861
State/Affiliation: Louisiana
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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