"Did Union Regiments carry State Flags?" Topic

I know Rebs did but did the Union?

Over 90% of the Union regiments were raised by the States, and were not US Army.
So, the answer is yes.

Some did and some didn't. All Union infantry regiments carried a national flag (stars & stripes) and a regimental flag. For most this was the regulation blue regimental flag with the arms of the United States in the center (eagle with a shield on its chest). Some states provided state flags and some regiments were presented with state flags or specially designed regimental flags to be carried instead of the regulation blue regimental flag.

By mid war many Reb regiments did not carry a state flag but the stars and bars. This was most true in the eastern armies.

As John notes, of the 1000 or so Union infantry regiments more than 900 were State regiments, who carried national colours plus a state flag

The second flag carried by Union State Volunteers is not an easy subject! Some relics still exist, and others have very good descriptions in writing. Many others have very little evidence remaining of what they looked like in detail. With a few exceptions (some Irish green and others), they were medium to dark blue, and though many also copied the USA Eagle design, many others used State seals or something else instead, along with slogans or quotes (sometimes in Latin) and unit IDs ie "15th Kentucky Volunteers" on a scroll! Some or most New York and Penn units carried flags very similar to modern types, other states did not have flags similar to modern designs (Indiana)!

In general CSA infantry did not carry State Flags for very long, some, maybe most, never did from the beginning!

A lot of good reseach on USA State Volunteer flags has been done, and GMB, Cotton Jim, Signifier, and several others have lots of very good examples for sale at good prices. Other units colors, however, remain a mystery that likely will never be solved! In that case I suggest a simple USA Eagle design would not be a bad guess for you. Good Luck!

Jeffersonians answer is better than Johns simple one. It seems to be a pretty confusing issue, as there was no set standard. I've asked the same question of Union units carrying National Colors AND Regimental Colors but the answer varies, espeically if the Regimental Colors is a version of the National Colors also.
For a good idea of these flags, check out the collection of Ohio battleflags online.

Volunteer Regiments were raised by the states (for the most part) but were taken into Federal or Confederate service, i.e. paid and equiped by the central government (with exceptions). State Regiments and Militia not under Federal call existed and served under state authority. Under Federal authority: Federal flags (with modifications); state authority: state flags. Added to confuse us, some regiments had a variety of flags through their existence which could combine all of the above. Follow Murph's advice and look to state archive sites to see actual battleflag collections. Use docdennis' advice for the "game".

For the Union regiments, some of the national flags were modified as well. Pennsylvania regiments often carried a national color where the stars in the blue field were replaced with the Pennsylvania State Emblem/seal and the unit name/number painted on one of the stripes as well as any battle honors. If they carried a 2nd flag, they also carried a regimental flag, which was normally a blue flag with the Pennsylvania Emblem/seal as well.

Just waiting for someone to comment about Avidgamers mention of the Stars n' Bars. Some people think that is the Confederate battle flag that so many southerner and rebels love! Some units used the Stars n' Bars like some Union Regiments and put their state seal or emblem in the canton.

"Jeffersonians answer is better than Johns simple one. It seems to be a pretty confusing issue, as there was no set standard."

I would argue that this is not quite true. There were set standards but they were from state to state. For example the regimental flag of most MASS regiments were white. Osprey did a very good series of three books, (which you can buy bound under a single cover), which is well worth picking up.

Almost all Federal Regts. carried a state flag.

Now that flag might be a "true" flag of the state they were from, or often an issued blue flag with an eagle in the center.

As has been said above, nothing was really set in stone. Everybody did so sort of varriation. If you have a set group of regts you are trying to put on the game table, you should do a bit of research on those units.

If not, you can do any sort of mix you would like and be in the right ball park.

Maybe I am misreading the question. I think he is asking if union regiments carried the "state" flag as well. Not just did they carry a regimental flag issued by the state. If that is the case the answer for the most part is no.
VR
James Mattes

What docdennis said.

Oddball,
The "blue flag with an eagle in the center" is a Regimental flag. The state influence was as described by dglennjr.

Oooops…. FireZouave, I actually meant the battle flag and NOT the Confederate national flag but… I got a brain lock there. Sorry.

Stars and Bars= First National
Southern Cross= Battle Flag
Stainless Banner= 2nd National
? (Stainless Banner with red band) on end= 3rd National

The 3rd National flag of the Confederacy with the red vertical stripe is known as the 'Blood Stained Banner'.

The 2nd National flag was too white apparently, and could be mistaken for a flag of truce.