These doubtless were the two (of three) flags pictured on the cover of Gettysburg's "The Horse Soldier" Catalog 11 identified with Lieut. Charles W. Keen, who evidently "won" them for performance under fire on the Peninsula in 1862 ("Yorktown"). The tags testify to use also at Little Round Top 2 Jul 63. If I am not mistaken, they now reside at Gettysburg NMP. (Regret I have only three photocopied pages of cover and inside, w/o date, so I don't know whether to congratulate you or commiserate on later price.)

Although occasionally described loosely, but incorrectly, as "honors" flags, awarding of these inscribed sets of flags was intended by Maj. Myer to distinguish an individual -- the signal officer himself (not a unit citation) -- and it was termed the Union Signal Corps "battle flag" (I OR 51 (1) 555, G.O. 24, HQ Signal Corps, 19 Mar 62), but it was quickly recognized that a five-pointed star (replacing the centered square) could not accommodate the subsequent battles. (See I OR 51 (1) 983, G.O. 3, Office of The Signal Officer, 7 Feb 63.) This later order directed that inscribed flags (some made of silk) be sent to Washington for safe-keeping until the end of the war, but that plain "star flags" could be used in the interim (w/o inscriptions). (Waving an inscribed star-flag after 7 Feb 63 would suggest someone not getting the word or ignoring the order.) The waving of such a flag told viewers "in the know" that the OIC had won his spurs, and it must also have attracted special attention by a sharp shooter.