"War Department 184. Blue field, stars forming a St.Andrew's cross, ten stars remaining (47x42 fragmentary). Captured by Private Parks, 9th New York Cavalry."
It was listed "on the register of captured flags."
They have headquarters flags from: General William L. Jackson, General Joseph E. Johnston, General Bradley T. Johnson, General Dabney H. Maury, General Jubal A. Early, Headquarters flag-Chief Engineers-A.N.V, General Joseph B. Kershaw, Headquarters 5th Army Corps, U.S.A-Swallowtail-Maltese Cross-Recaptured at Fort Blakely, Alabama by the 97th Illinois Infantry. (How that flag made it all the way to Alabama)? Also the Headquarters of the 3rd Division of the 5th Corps lost a Swallowtail as well. (White Field, blue Maltese Cross).
The 3rd Division in the 5th Corps was "MG. Crawford's Pennsylvania Reserves." Kitching's Heavy Artillery Brigade (6th New York Heavy and 15th New York Heavy are listed with the division from before June 21st, 1864). They were not in the battle of the Wilderness. At the Battle of North Anna River, Colonel Coulter's brigade is listed in the division (12th Mass, 83rd NY, 97th NY, 11th PA and 88th PA). During the Petersburg Campaign (June 1864-April 1865) "Trudeau, The Last Citadel" as the 3rd Division at first commanded by General Crawford with the First Brigade being, Lyle/Bragg/McCoy. 2nd Brigade-Colonel Hofmann/BG.Baxter, (Same line up as Coulter's brigade). The 3rd Brigade was Colonel James Carle/BG William Hofmann also BG.Morrow and BG. Coulter. The 4th Division consolidated with the 3rd Division in September 1864. The old 4th Division had BG. Bragg and Colonel Hofmann commanding two brigades.
Well personally, I think that these flags were captured at the battle of Weldon Railroad on August 19th, 1864. A possibility, but Crawford had many captured. Trudeau's book "Petersburg, The Last Citadel" page 166, "Mahone now overlapped the right of Crawford's Division, as the Union brigade on the end suddenly discovered when the screaming Rebel troops appeared on its right and rear. The two veteran Pennsylvania regiments that constituted this brigade were surrounded and, within a few confused minutes, captured almost intact." I do have the 190th and 191st Pennsylvania regiments both losing flags. Basically what was left of the Pennsylvania Reserves that stayed on after their enlistment was up.
On page 167, "Crawford's leftmost brigade, in contrast-pummeled in front by Heth, under attack from behind by Mahone, and barraged by Wainwright---dissolved, some units surrendering wholesale, others scampering through the confusion toward the Globe Tavern." (The left most brigade was not the 190th/191st PA, they were the brigade on the far right).
Page 167, "Crawford's collapse spread to those few of Ayres's units that were posted east of the railroad. These troops were commanded by Brigadier General Joseph Hayes, who was surrounded and captured as frantically tried to rally his men."
Interesting the 3rd Division, 5th Corps Swallowtail was recaptured at the battle of Nashville, Tennessee. December 1864, by the 11th Missouri USA. Could there be some confusion on the flag? Is this a flag from the AOP??
Well just a thought,
Have a good night,
Shawn