Antietam, Battle of 1862

Description

Battle of Antietam 1862 Type-I Guidon Campaign Streamer.

Campaign Streamers of the same size and quality sell on-line for between $70 and $90 each. Accurate to United States Army Regulations Measures 1.5” appx (4cm) wide x 2’ (61cm) long. Embroidery may vary from photograph shown.

On 25 August 1861, following the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, Major General John C. Fremont, commanding the Western Department, ordered the word “Springfield” to be emblazoned on the colors of the units involved in the fighting. He also forwarded the names of the Soldiers and officers who participated in the battle to the War Department for any further action by the government to honor these brave men.

In a joint resolution on Christmas Eve 1861, Congress expressed its appreciation for the gallant and patriotic service of Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon, who lost his life during the battle, and the officers and Soldiers under his command. To commemorate the battle, Congress confirmed Fremont’s order for each regiment engaged to embroider the word “Springfield” on its colors. Responding to a request by Congress, the President directed that the resolution be read before every regiment in the Union Army.

Two months later the War Department instructed all regiments and batteries to inscribe on their colors or guidons the names of battles in which they had performed meritoriously. The expectation was that the units so distinguished would regard their colors as representing their honor and would guard them to the death. Thus began the practice of indicating the names of battles and campaign on a unit’s colors.

However, with individual units making the decision with regard to which engagements warranted inclusion, the number skyrocketed. So, true to form, the Department of the Army stepped in and determined those engagements which qualified and, as a result, only 25 Civil War Campaign Streamers are authorize under Army Regulations, 15 in the Eastern and 10 in the Western Theater.