Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Flag |
Catalog Number |
0985.13.01935 |
Description |
Pattern: Virginia state flag; blue field; cotton and wool. Oil-painted Virginia state seal and motto "SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS" on both sides. Blue field consists of three pieces of fabric: a larger upper portion (36" H); and two lower portions (19.5" H), seamed at center. Stars: None. Border: Gold fringe on one end (fly). Attachment: Unit Designation: None. Battle Honors: None. |
Material |
textile (cotton and wool) |
Dimensions |
H-55 W-75 inches |
Owned |
George K. Leet (tentative) |
Owner Regiment |
Unidentified Virginia Unit |
Provenance |
Flag of an unidentified Virginia unit, captured by Union soldiers in Virginia in 1864. It is believed to have belonged to a a George K. Leet (sometimes misspelled as Leete) who served on Union General Ulysses S. Grant's staff, and originally enlisted in Chicago Mercantile Battery, Illinois Light Artillery. It is unknown precisely how Leet acquired the flag. The donor did not provide any history for this flag at the time of donation. However, an undated handwritten note in the file indicates that a museum staff member "took the following down as A.B. Leech (sic)... told me - In Illinois two brothers ( name not given) - the elder was on Grant's staff at Vicksburg - The flag was captured by him in Virginia in 1864". It is believed that this "Leech" is the donor of the flag, A.B. Leet. His father was George K. Leet, who was from Illinois, and had a younger brother, John Brown Leet, who served in the Chicago Board of Trade Battery, Illinois Light Artillery. This evidence points to George K. Leet as the original owner of the flag. |
People |
Leet, George K. |
Search Terms |
items captured by Union soldiers items captured from Confederate soldiers items taken by Union soldiers |