The Monmouth Colours

  This flag was donated to the Monmouth County Historical Association  by Mrs. Marguerite Potter Bixler, the great- great- granddaughter of Capt. William Wilson of the First Pennsylvania Regiment. According to family tradition it had been captured by Wilson at the Battle of Monmouth on 28 June 1778.  It was supposedly the flag of Lt. Colonel Henry Monckton, who commanded the 2nd Grenadier Battalio and was killed leading his command in the battle. Wilson also captured a sword believed to have  belong to Monckton.  The first recorded mention of the flag is an 1874 account in the American Historical Review.   The color was seen at the Bellefonte, PA, home of Capt. William Wilson Potter, grandson of Capt. Wilson, and that it was stained and torn along its staff edge. 

The flag is described in the museums catalog.  "A rectangular flag consisting of a yellow silk ground, pieced from four lengths of fabric sewn horizontally along selvedge edges. In the upper left corner, a British union canton sewn to the yellow silk, offset three inches from the top edge, pieced together of plain weave white and blue silk, with red silk brocade central cross. A pole sleeve on the left edge of the flag has been folded underneath."

  Certain features of the flag indicate it is an American rather than British colour.  Probably a division color from the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment. The presence of the British union canton, often seen on American colors in the early years of the war, could have led to the tradition that the color was British. American divisional colors were generally plain but a British color would have had both a symbol and a unit designation. Also, a British color would not have had an inset canton.  But a number of surviving American colors do. The red and white crosses and blue field of the canton are formed of red silk (Damas), blue silk (watered or moire effect), and white silk. The materials used, the proportions of the crosses, and the very wide white edging to the Cross of St. George are not typical for British flags. The materials and construction techniques used suggest that it was quite probably "home-made" of fabrics available to the seamstress

 

Liberty Flags

 

Yet another type of flag available to American Rev War gamers are the so called "Liberty" flags .  Usually smaller then the regimental Standard these were locally made for militia regiments or were decorated division colors.  General Charles Lee Suggested in 1775 that " each regiment or battalion was to have a large Regimental Standard as well as four smaller grand division colors, on each of which was to be embroidered the word "Liberty."

That a number of  towns had followed this practice is note in a political cartoon depicting the fighting in 19th April.  The American forces are marching under a banner similar to the Union flag with "Liberty" in its center.  

 In addition the town of Taunton Massachusetts had a flag made.  It has a red field, the Union in the upper canton and the words "Liberty and Union."

Following the battle of Long Island August 1776 the Hessian regiment Rall reported it captured from a American Regiment a small color, "which was of red damask and bore the motto Liberty."  This possibly was from the New Jersey militia regiment of Colonel Philip Johnson which had been guarding Flatbush road where it cut through the Flatbush pass and located in what is now the North East corner of Prospect Park.  In addition Major Carl Leopold Baurmster , Hessian Adjutant General reported the capture of eleven American colors each with the motto "Liberty" on them after the battle.  After the capture of Fort Washington a number of colors were also captured.  These were described as "new" and were yellow, white, and light blue.  One Pennsylvania regiment's colors were described as having the figure of a riflemen on it.

In the Schenectady County Historical Society is preserved a local militia liberty flag.  It has faced to a dull brown color, but was once described as green or blue.  The word liberty is on both sides made from a white ribbon. 

So, it appears these flags were actually used and saw service.  They make a easy way to add color to your militia regiments in the table top.

What were the Gostelowe flags ?

Among the papers in the National Archives in Washington D.C. is a report entitled, "A Return of ye New Standards & Division Colours for ye Army of ye United States of America In Possession of Major Jonathan Gostelowe, Comy. Mily. Stores. "  This return was part of a series done in July and August 1778.  The report describes in great detail a series of 13 new Standards and Division Colours to be issued to regiments of the Continental Army.  They describe the colors and devices on the flags and how many division colors and their colors.  Because of this they are a valuable resource for anyone studying regimental colors of the Continental Army.  It is not known which regiments were issued these flags although some writers have expressed suggestions.  

Here is a illustration of each of the thirteen Standards as well as the information provided about them in the actual "return.". Please note that all color illustrations of these flags are from Richardson's "Standards and Colors of the American Revolution."  I hope this may provide the American Revolution gamer with more information to add historically correct and colorful flags for their table top regiments.  There is actually a lot of flags out there other then the same old same old.

Standard #1. Headman Color.

Number of the Standard: 1st

Their Colours:  Green

No. of the Division Colours:  2

Their Colours: Blue and Yellow

The Device of the Standards: A pillow on the top of which is the cap of liberty supported by thirteen hands.

No. Of the Standards:  1st

Their Motto:  This We Will Defend.

Standard #2. United Defense.

Number of the Standard:  22nd

Their Colours:  Red

No. Of the Division Colours:  2

Their Colours: Green and Yellow

The Device of the Standards:  An arm in armour with a drawn sword in its hand and thirteen drawn swords linked together.

No. Of the Standards:  2

Their Motto:  We are Always Ready.

Standard #3. Harmonious Union.

Number of the Standard:  3rd

Their Colours:  Red

No. Of the Division Colours:  2

Their Colours:  Blue and Yellow

The Device of the Standards:  A golden harp

No. Of the Standards:  3rd

Their Motto: Majora. Minoribus. Consanant.

Standard #4. America Triumphant.

Number of the Standard:  4th

Their Colours:  yellow

No. Of the Division Colours:  2

Their Colours:  Blue and red

The Device of the Standards:  Britannia setting on an old stump weeping.  A tree behind her withered, her spear broken, an olive branch lying at her feet, an Indian on the opposite side with his now strung holding an arrow in his hand, by his side a dog (an emblem of fidelity).  Under his feet a shield, behind him a palm tree in full bloom, before the unduan, the sun rising upon the new empire, between the two is game flying towards the Indian holding the cap of liberty and proclaiming: be liberty thine.

No. Of the Standards:  4th. 

Their Motto:  Behold the Rising Empire

Standard #5. Sustain or Abstain.

Number of the Standard: 5th. 

Their Colours:  Blue

No. Of the Division Colours:  2

Their Colours:  Yellow and Green

The Device of the Standards:  A Thorn Bush and Hand

No. Of the Standards:  5th

Their Motto:  Sustine. Vel. Abstine

Standard #6. Death or Honor.

Number of the Standard: 6th

Their Colours: Yellow

No. Of the Division Colours:  2

Their Colours: Red and Blue

The Device of the Standards:  The Boar and Spear

No. Of the Standards: 6th

Their Motto:  Aut.  Mors.  Aut.  Vita Decora.

Standard #7. Perseverance.

Number of the Standard:  7th

Their Colours:  yellow

No. of the Division Colours:  2

Their Colours:  Blue and Red

The Device of the Standards:  The Beaver and Tree

No. Of the Standards:  7th

Their Motto:  Perseverance

Standard #8. Fight Back.

Number of the Standard:  8th

Their Colours:  Red

No. Of the Division Colours:  2

Their Colours:  Blue and Red

The Device of the Standards:  The Eagle & Craine.

No. Of the Standards:  8th

Their Motto:  Exitus on dubio est.

Standard #9.  Honorable Remembrance.

Number of the Standard: 9th

Their Colours:  Blue

No. Of the Division Colours:  2

Their Colours:  Red and Yellow

The Device of the Standards:  A Laurel Wreath in a Pedestal.

No. Of the Standards:  9th. 

Their Motto:  Si.  Recte. Facies.

Standard #10. Armed Resistance.

Number of the Standard: 10th

Their Colours: Yellow

No. Of the Division Colours: 2

Their Colours:  Blue and Red

The Device of the Standards:  An Arm in Armour With a Sword In Its Hand.

No. Of the Standards: NB.

Their Motto: The Union Agreeable to The Resolve of Congress.  Thirteen Stars is Printed on each Standard.

Standard #11.  American Defense.

Number of the Standard:  11th  

Their Colours:  Blue

No. Of the Division Colours:  2

Blue:  Red and Green

The Device of the Standards:  An Indian Representing America, Laying his Hand on the Cap of Liberty, Placed on a Pedestal, With his Now Strung, and his Dog by his Side.

No. Of the Standards:  11th

Their Motto:  This Is Mine & I'll Defend It.

Standard #12.  Resurgent.

Number of the Standard:    Blank. 

Their Colours:  Blank

No. Of the Division Colours: Blank

The Device of the Standards:  The Plant Acanthus Sprouting  Out On All Sides under a Weight.

No. Of the Standards:  12th

Their Motto:  Depressa. Resurget.

Standard #13.  United We Stand.

Number of the Standard: Blank

Their Colours: Blank

No. Of the Division Colours: Blank

The Device of the Standards: Thirteen Darts

No. Of the Standards: Blank  

Their Motto: Blank

There is a question were any of these Standard and Colours ever issued.  There is no definitive documentation either way.  But there is possibly other hints of confirmation.  Thomas Hughs of the British 53rd Regiment of Foot while a prisoner in Lancaster Pennsylvania made this observation.  "Jan: 19 (1780) A Regiment of 400 men with 6 pieces of brass cannon marched in a great parade into town - The cannon are some of those taken from Burgoyne.  The troops were well clothed and are part of the southern reinforcement.  They  have three Standards, one in the center of the Regiment, and one in the middle of each wing.  The colours were blue, red and white, with the 13 stripes in the corner of each. "  The captured Waxhaw colours are also very similar to the Standard and Colours #7.  The exception is one of the Grand Divison colours which is yellow and not red.  But with that exception very similar.  So it is possible that colours of these patterns were issued and carried in the field.  The description by Thomas Hughes also  Suggests that these were carried by battalions in the approved manner.  And this makes a interesting possibly way to organize and display your late war Continental regiments and Colours.

So, it is possible that these Standard and Colours were issued and used in the field late war by Continental line regiments.  For the American Rev War  gamers these add a very colorful and useful  addition for our American Regiments.  They also offer a alternative to non historical flags on the table top.

Biography:

A Return of Some Continental Army Regimental Colors of 1778"

Holst, Donald W. and Marko Zlatich

MCH, 19 (Winter 1967), pp. 109-115.

Richardson, Edward W.  Standards and Colors of the American Revolution.

Philadelphia, 1982.

"Regimental Standards of William Health's Brigade of Continental Foot, 1776"

 

  One of the joys of the lifting of restrictions during this time of sickness is the reopening of libraries.  Once again I can pester the inter library loan desk to look up unusual books for me or get me long forgotten articles.  At present I am doing research on regimental colors of the Continental line during the American Revolution.  In a series of postings I will be posting some of my finds here.  I hope this spreading of information will be If service I my fellow Rev War gamers and buffs.

The information is from the Massachusetts Historical Society who have the William Heath papers.  This concerns his brigade in April/May 1776 and provides some interesting information concerning facing colors and standards for the Continental line regiments in his brigade.

 "Two standards for each regiment and four colours to each regiment for the Grand Divisions, the First Standard to be the Union throughout.  The Second to be the colour of the facings of the regiment with the following motto.

  7th Regiment Col. Wm. Prescott, red, white field, black thorn bush, flesh coloured hand extended to pluck it up, motto: "He that touches one shall prick his fingers."

 16th Regiment Col. Paul Dudley Sargent, red, white field.

18th Regiment Col. Edmund Phinney, black (crossed out) buff.

24th Regiment Col. John Greaton, buff, red field, white thorn bush, flesh coloured hand extended to pluck it, motto: the same as the 7th Regiment.

26th Regiment Loami Baldwin Colonel, straw color. "

So, what might this flag have looked like?  I have used this image of one of the Gostelowe flags as an example.  The center device is very similar to that description turn The 7th and 24th Regiments.  This flag, and others from the Gostelowe flag series are available from" League of Augusberg" at a very reasonable price. These are highly useful and very colorful.  I have used a number of them in my 1776 regiments.

https://www.leagueofaugsburg.com/shop/products-subcat-37.html

Bibliography:

Zlatich, Marko. " Regimental Standards of William Heath's Brigade of Continental Foot, 1776"

Military Collector and Historian, 33 (Winter 1981), pp. 174-175.

Also:

Papers of William Heath

Vol. 6 folio 245

Massachusetts Historical Society.

Hessian Colors Captured at Trenton. Where Are They?

 Rereading Richardson's Standards and Colors of the American Revolution this morning.  What happened to the Hessian colors captured at Trenton?  They were displayed in the halls of Congress for a short time. On 31 December 1776 William Ellery writes the Governor of Rhode Island a description of the flags which are on display in the room where Congress meets in Baltimore.The six colors captured at Trenton are depicted in good detail in Charles Wilson Peale's painting of Washington victorious after Trenton and Princeton. Other colors captured have survived.  There are four Anspach-Beyreuth colors captured at Yorktown still in existence and in good condition. Two are at West Point, one at the Smithsonian and the fourth one at Yorktown. Davis (Regimental colors in the War of the Revolution) said there were no know (to him) Colors in Germany when he did his research during the 1900's.  The colors of the 7th (Royal Fusiliers) Regiment are at West Point.

   Here is some information about what happened to them. Davis describes the existing colors when he examined them in 1907 in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and photographed the two flags and the remains of a third which had a black field. These were in the Clymer papers. These two colors and the fragments disappeared sometime between when Davis saw them in 1900-1907 and the mid 1970's when they were found to be missing. It is possible, based on a " cryptic" entry on a accession card that they were loaned out and never returned; possibly during the Sesquicentennial of 1926.

   William Buehler wrote Admiral Preble on 18 November 1881 "two flags out of six captured ...At Trenton are in the department on the hill at Harrisburg." This appears to have been the William Penn museum at Harrisburg Pennsylvania. Richardson is quoted as saying staff members " have no knowledge as to the whereabouts of any surviving remnants there. "

   Lastly there are fragments of another Hessian flag captured at Trenton in the First City Troop Museum in Philadelphia. The fragments are about " twenty by seven inches and are black brocade will seamed to a narrow strip of White are are decorated with a small elements of brown and yellow painted designs. "

Richardson, Edward W. Standards and Colors of the American Revolution.
1982.

Davis, Gherardi.  Regimental Colors in the War of The Revolution.
1907.

For a copy of the book online see:
https://archive.org/details/regimentalcolors00davi/page/n12

The Dansey Flag

  The "Dansey Flag" is one of a handful of flags which were used during the American Revolution and still in existence today.  It is  possibly a grand divisional color of a Delaware militia unit, although which one is not known. It is named after the British Officer, Captain William Dansey who captured it sometime between the Battle of Couch Bridge (3 September 1777) and the  Battle of Brandywine (11September 1777).  He reported the event in a letter dated 11 October 1777 at Germantown; and states he captured it along with a number of other items from "a Rebel Colonel of the Delaware Militia". Held by his descendents as a treasured heirloom the flag was sold at auction in 1927 to the Delaware Historical Society.   This silk flag as it exists today is somewhat faded but is in otherwise excellent condition.

   There is a record of Colonel John Haslet's Delaware Battalion, along with Colonel Smallwood's Marylanders, fighting at Long Island on 27 August 1776 with "their colours flying", but what these looked like is unknown.

  The portrait of Dansey was done after his return to Great Britain after The war.  It is owned by The Duke of Wellington's Regiment Museum in Halifax England.  The letters Captain William Dansey write during The war have been published.

www.amazon.com/Captured-Rebel-Flag-Regiment-1776-1777/dp/1907417052

   Both the flag, letter mentioning it's capture  and portrait of Dansey will be displayed as part of the Museum of the American Revolution 's upcoming special exhibition "Cost of Revolution: The Life and Death of an Irish Soldier from Sept. 28, 2019 – Mar. 17, 2020."

Hessian Regimental Colors

  I have been doing research on Hessian uniforms and colors for an upcoming painting project involving the Rall Grenadier regiment, Fusilier Regiment Lossburg and Fusilier Regiment Knyphausen.  In looking for documentation on regimental colors I found the following article, "Colors of the Hessian flags in North America 1776 - 1883",  Military Collector and Historian, Winter 2003-2004, vol. 55, issue 4.  This is simply brilliant and a must have article if researching this topic.

  The author is Steven Hill.  He is one of (if not the) best historians on the topic of military flags.  Is using his career he was responsible for restoring and maintaining many historical flag collections.  I had the pleasure of meeting him many years ago when he was working to restore and maintain The Civil War collection of flags in the Massachusetts State House. 

   If you want to know which regiments carried what colors, what they looked liked and what happened to them this is where you look.  There are pictures of fragments of colors captured at Trenton.  How often do you see these?  In addition there is also some documentation on uniforms.  So my friends, do yourself a favor and download this article.

Here is pdf of the article:
dupagemilitaryflag.com/files/33395736.pdf

Here is his flag site:
www.dupagemilitaryflag.com

Lastly, if you want a coffee mug with a regimental color in it here is where you go.  My kids, when they do not know what to get me for a present shop here.  Nothing better than sipping coffee while painting or playing with you soldiers that has The regimental colors of the Royal Welch Fusiliers.


www.cafepress.com/historicflags