"Flag for the Free Men of Color?" Topic

Looking at adding the New Orleans Free Men of Color to my 25/28mm horse & musket forces, and these days, when I build a non-skirmisher infantry unit, it DOES have a flag. I know it's going to be speculative, but anyone have a happy thought about what I can get away with? The state "pelican" flag is said to predate official adoption, but could it go back that far? Is there an obvious alternative?

Thanks.

link

I would think that suggestion would be even more speculative than a "Pelican" flag. Looks like a modern creation.

Jim

I would think that maybe looking at other militia/associations of the same period could serve as a guide for what was considered appropriate for that time period. After all, who is going to know different?

Another thought, an email to the appropriate historical society, either state or local, might give you more information.

Some of my respected friends have commented on this. So I will only post my opinion based on my research of the War of 1812 in Alabama for the Osprey style book Alabama in Flames.

In my opinion several factors need to be considered. The battalions Colonel or wife would have made the flag. A banner of red with the name of the unit written on it in white or yellow would be an option if you cannot verify a design.

The battalion contained a significant number of Choctaws from Forces they deployed with the Chickasaw in Alabama in 1813. They did not fight under a flag though one conjecture is that one would had a clan symbol.
The black and mixed troops were based on the militia company format deployed by the Spanish. They used companies of black and mixed blood paradox troops to hunt down escaped slaves.