Basic Flag Information from the American Rev War

  I got a couple emails concerning flags used during the American Revolution.  These centered on American Continental Regimental colors.  In addition I got a few questions about Germanic colors.  

 Here are some recommendations for books and especially articles.  There is not much out there but here are a number of sources I gave found especially useful.  In a follow up I will post a few good images of flags you can copy and print later.

To start I would read my post on the Gostelowe flags which gives us the basics of the American Continental line.

https://bravefusiliers.blogspot.com/2020/08/what-were-gostelowe-flags.html

Books:

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

Best single book out there.  Price can be pricey if you can find a copy.  remember inter library loan us your friend and can often find  you a copy to borrow.

 

Gerhardi Davis    Regimental colors in the War of the Revolution

The first book published in the subject and still very useful. The book is a alike online on the internet!

https://openlibrary.org/books/OL6989778M/Regimental_colors_in_the_war_of_the_revolution

Articles:

Here are a number of articles I found very useful.  Most are from the Company of Military Historians.  Others are privately published.  If you want drop me a email and I will send a copy to you.  This is one of the best parts of our hobby in sharing information.

Donald Host, Liberty or Death on military colors

Donald Host, Regimental Colors Of the Continental Army

Military Collector and Historian

Steven Hill, Hessian Flags of the American Revolution 1775-1783

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

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

"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.

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.

14th Continental Regiment 1776

   If a single regiment could be said to have saved the American Revolution it was the 14th Continental Regiment.  Twice, at Long Island and at Trenton the regiment played a crucial role either as a fighting regiment or as sailors.  After the defeat on Long Island in August 1776 these men crewed the boats that evacuated Washington's army.  Later, they  rowed Washington's men across the frozen Delaware river,  then joined Sullivan's division to fight the Hessians at Trenton.

  Formed in 1775 from local militia the regiment was designated as the 14th Continental Regiment in 1776 and commanded by Colonel John Glover.  Recruited from the Marblehead Massachusetts area from men who worked on ships and depended on the ocean.  The regiment included numerous minorities from the American Indian and free Black communities.  The regiment is described as wearing a mix of uniforms and salior clothing.  Regimental coats were drab or brown with red facings, although some blue jackets are mentioned.

  Figures are from Eureka miniatures.  These are dressed in mixtures of uniforms and  sailor clothing.  Some are wearing naval jackets which I painted a plain blue. The majority are in regimental coats with sailor trousers.  I painted the coats a drab brown with red facings to match the deserter descriptions.  I really liked the drab brown I mixed.  Accoutrements were white belts, with haversack and canteen.  All pretty standard.

  For the regimental colors I went with Washington's recommendation of a Grand Union flag with another in the regiments facing color and a device.  For the regimental color I used a red flag from the Gostelowe collection with the mailed fist as that was a early symbol of Massachusetts.  The Grand Union type has a New England line tree which again represent New England.

   My only complaint here is the mixed poses.  It gives a unbalanced look to the unit.  My preference is for a standard pose. Usually marching.  But I went with this as it has the figures in the right mix of clothing.  Perhaps on the table top it will not look too out of place.

19th Continental Regiment 1776

  The 19th Continental Regiment was raised in Connecticut and commanded by Colonel Charles Webb.  It saw service during the New York campaign of 1776  as part of McDougall 's brigade. It participated at the battle of White Plains on 28 October 1776.  As part of Washington's army It retreated across the Jerseys and later fought at the battle of Trenton.  Most of the regiment' s enlistments expired after that,  but enough men volunteered to stay on that the regiment fought at second Trenton and Princeton.

  I found little in the way of uniform information for this regiment.  One deserter description mentioned drab or light colored coats while another mentioned a blue coat.  I went with drab brown with blue facings. Musicians are in reversed colors of blue faced drab brown.  Conjecture in my part but based on what little information I could find.  Didn't he Regimental Colors I used the Grand Union with a blue Gostelowe flag.  Both types of flags were used during the time.