This flag is a Second Bunting issue (narrower cross than the First Bunting). I will have to dig into my battle honors files but these first general honors were authorized in the Summer of 1862. Let me find that and I will post it for you.

The first Eastern honor that I can find is for "Bethel" and that was placed on the flag of Co. E, 1st NC Volunteers (later the 11th NC Troops) who used this flag in the Battle of Big Bethel.

The first Western honor that I can find is for the Battle of Belmont (Nov. 1861).

In contrast, the earliest Union battle honor I know of was for the Massachusetts regiment (the 6th I think) that fired on the pro-South crowd in Baltimore's Camden Yards.

Greg Biggs