December 8, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2011
Fifty Year Reunion Flag, 21” x 12,” muslin, 48 stars, 13 stripes. The first two stenciled lines identify the flag, “5 Regiment, U.S. Colored Troops.” The stenciling continues with the important engagements of the 5th, “New Kent Court House [March 3-4, 1864], City Point [May 4th, 1864], Fort Darling [May 12-16, 1864], Petersburg [Jun. 15-18, 1864], New Market Heights [Sep. 28-30, 1864], Fair Oaks [Oct. 27-28, 1864], Sugar Loaf Hill [January 19th, 1865], Federal Point [February 11th, 1865], Wilmington, NC [February 22nd, 1865].” Minor fabric loss lower right corner, else VG. In early 1864, Union General Stephen G. Burbridge, commander of the Military District of Kentucky, authorized the formation of "colored" units comprised of freedmen, ex-slaves, and slaves within his command. On June 30, 1864, Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas, responsible for organizing colored regiments in the Mississippi Valley for the Union Army, authorized the officers of the newly formed 5th United States Colored Cavalry (5th USCC) to begin selecting recruits. Colonel James Brisbin, a well known abolitionist, became commander of the regiment. Some of the companies were recruited at Camp Nelson, Kentucky, while others were enlisted in nearby towns, including Lebanon and Louisville. Nearly all of the recruits were former slaves, the majority of whom volunteered for three years of service. In accordance with Thomas’ policy, all of the officers of the 5th USCC were white.
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