This flag represents the 16th Infantry, Connecticut National Guard. In a battle in North Carolina in 1864, the Confederate army was about to overrun the Union troops. Colonel John Burnham had the flag brought to him. Not wanting it to be captured, he tore the flag into strips and distributed them to members of his unit. Many were captured and imprisoned for the rest of the war. When the war was over, unit members turned in as many flag strips as could be found, and Tiffany & Co. made a new flag from the remnants.
27 comments:
gorgeous photo and a great story well told. thanks, jack.
Very interesting story and I like a lot this close up of the flags!
Léia
What an interesting story, Jack. And you've got a fine photo, too.
Congrats! You're the first to comment on the BUMP street sign and the instant subliminal message I got from it in relation to the doughnut and one's body shape!
This is so beautiful Jack!
Yup, very interesting.
I need to quilt stars.
That is a bit of history that I did not know. Very interesting indeed.
Amazing story. The Union army during the Civil War was mustered and organized so differently than today, with local regiments that stayed together throughout the war.
This system had the tragic effects of when a unit suffered high casualties, it could deplete the normal population of young men in a town quite disproportionately.
I presume that this system also made it possible to collect the flag fragments after the war of the flag that you showed today.
The Tiffany Company has quite a history. We went to a lecture at the Phoenix Art Museum on the history of Tiffany silver. Very interesting, but that is another story.
What a great story and I love your beautifully composed photo of this meaningful remnant of the war.
V
Such a terrific story, Jack! Thanks for sharing that and, of course, it's a superb capture as always! Wonderful post for the day! Enjoy your day!
Sylvia
Interesting story, Jack. Now, the question is: Was the new flag delivered in a classic Tiffany blue box??
The flags have great texture and character. And what an interesting snippet of history.
I love the story Jack!
Lovely post, Jack!
Great story and photo. thanks.
Lovely story. I like that you've photographed the flag in close up so we can see the strips and stitches.
Wonderful story and I like how you captured the flag!
Lovely to hear the story behind the pic Jack ... you have captured the texture beautifully.
A fascinating tale. It's a wonder there were enough left alive to put together anything resembling a flag! What a terrible war that was.
Excellent detail of the flag Jack and always good to know the history!
A great story and such history in that flag.
Nice muted colors.
A fascinating story about respect for the flag!
These are works of art!
Great detail shot, jack!
Wow! I've never see anything like this!
Interesting story well illustrated by your photo. Always enjoy looking at antique textiles.
The photo is pure poetry. The story is sad and inspirational at the same time.
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