Description:

There are what appear to be two separate pieces of regimental flags.  One piece is from a pole sleeve and measures 26” by 2”.  The other is from the center of a flag and is painted with the wing of an eagle.  It is likely the flag featured the federal eagle in the center.  The second piece measures 18.25” by 25.75”.

The staff, which measures 96” by 1.25”, and is carved at the top.  The finial is broken off at the top.  The staffs of flags returned to the state at the 1866 Detroit ceremony marking the end of the war all bear identical brass plaques.  The brass plaque reads in Spencerian script “11th Mich. Cavalry”.

In 2023, the flag was sent to Textile Preservation Associates for conservation.  At that time, it was discovered that what was believed to be one flag was actually two separate pieces of silk, likely from different flags.  More research needs to be undertaken to determine if one of the fragment belongs to another flag that once shared the same case or if they are pieces of separate flags of the Eleventh Michigan Cavalry.  While at Textile Preservation Associates, the pieces were separated, humidified to flatten them, and then placed in mylar sleeves.