The Wisconsin Veterans’ Museum has the following information concerning the flags issued to the 33rd Wisconsin.

Units raised in 1862 were origianlly to be supplied with their flags by the Quartermaster’s Department. However, in 1863 and 1864 Wisconsin passed legislation to allow for the state to provide replacement flags. All of these Wisconsin sourced national and regimental flags came from the Chicago firm of Gilbert Hubbard & Co. and so would conform to the patterns utilized by this company.

On 28 March 1864 a national flag for the 33rd Wisconsin was ordered. It was supposed to also include battle honors. This flag was delivered on 26 April 1864 but was found to have an “incorrect name” and was returned on 28 April. It must subsequently have been corrected as it was then again delivered on 6 May 1864.

This flag had 35 stars arranged in 6 horizontal rows (6-6-6-6-6-5-6). At the end of the war the battle honors and unit designation on this flag were: 1st stripe - FORT DERUSSY; 2nd stripe - PLEASANT HILL LANDING; 3rd stripe - CLOUTIERVILLE; 4th stripe - YELLOW BAYOU; 5th stripe - TUPELO; 6th stripe - 33d REGT WIS INFANTRY; 9th stripe - COLDWATER VICKSBURG JACKSON; 11th stripe - NASHVILLE. Given the delivery date of the flag I would say that only the unit designation and the 9th stripe battle honors were applied when the flag was first issued.

A regimental flag for the 33rd Wisconsin was also ordered on 28 March 1864. The order specified the flag was to have the state seal but no battle honors were included. The flag was delivered on 26 April 1864. The battle honors now on the flag must have been added at a later date. This is the flag of which I believe you presently have a photo.

I have a copy of a sketch of the regimental flag that includes some measurements. If you e-mail me at ritoews@mts.net I can send you a scan.

Ryan Toews