Winston Smith | 23 Jan 2018 10:30 p.m. PST |
I've been trying to find flags for the US Army in the Whiskey Rebellion, but all I can find are flags for the rebellion. Which surprised me. At least I think they are.
This one is the least problematic for me. What flags would the army use and the militia called up to help suppress the Rebellion? |
Winston Smith | 23 Jan 2018 10:32 p.m. PST |
The first looks "too professional" for farmers. The second and third look Pennsylvania-ish. Both have 15 stripes, which is correct for 1794-5. The third also is from a shabby looking relic. So going by the "shabby equals authentic" rule…. |
historygamer | 24 Jan 2018 6:46 a.m. PST |
As far as I know, the only existing Whiskey rebel flag is owned by the owners of Century Inn. It was one of the few things they were able to save in the recent fire there. I have seen it in person (I think they kept it in a glass case in the bar), and IIRC, looks like the first flag above. |
historygamer | 24 Jan 2018 6:48 a.m. PST |
Here is a painting of Washington reviewing the army that was called up to put down the rebels:
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historygamer | 24 Jan 2018 6:50 a.m. PST |
The troops being reviewed are a mix of militia called up and the regulars. That is Washington's 1790's uniform, which he is often pictured wearing in books. Though similar in appearance to his Rev War uniform, you can tell this one by the high standing collar. |
Winston Smith | 24 Jan 2018 8:16 a.m. PST |
That painting came up during my Google search. It never occurred to me that if I squinted real close, there might be flags. Tiny ones, to be sure. |
historygamer | 24 Jan 2018 10:13 a.m. PST |
If you have the Osprey's on Wayne's Legion, you may want to consult that on flags for the Army. Militia not likely to have any. |
4thsublegion | 24 Jan 2018 10:37 a.m. PST |
The US army (The Legion of the United States) under Anthony Wayne was in the Northwest at the time of the Whiskey Rebellion. They had colors for each sub-legion. They did not participate in in the suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion. The army raised by Washington was a volunteer army raised under the the Militia Acts of 1792, a pair of statutes enacted by the second United States Congress in 1792. The acts provided for the organization of the state militias and provided for the President of the United States to take command of the state militias in times of imminent invasion or insurrection. Many of them were armed and equipped by the Federal government. Here is another depiction of Washington reviewing the troops at Fort Cumberland.
The troops in both paintings are volunteer state militia, not regulars, even though they are uniformed. |
historygamer | 24 Jan 2018 1:57 p.m. PST |
So the officers in front appear to be wearing pantaloons tucked into spatter dashes and the men look to be wearing overalls also known as gaitered trousers. This follows the British fashion in the previous war. |
historygamer | 24 Jan 2018 2:01 p.m. PST |
The men appear to be wearing belly boxes. The company officer only carries a sword and seems to sport a red feather in his hat. The field officer carries a spontoon and sports a white feather. |
Winston Smith | 30 Jan 2018 10:34 a.m. PST |
PDF link An article on the political significance of the flags. |
Rudysnelson | 31 Jan 2018 4:04 p.m. PST |
Flags from the era that I have seen have been two. One was the flag of the Muskogee Free State. It was recognized by Britain in its fight against Spain. The other was the Georgia Patriot flag used in their conflicts with Florida-Spain and maybe North Carolina War. It was a black silhouette of of advancing soldier wearing a tricorne hat. |