11th Michigan Volunteer Infantry
SC-30-90: Silk national ▪ Dimensions: 73”x 77” ▪ Cotton Fringe
Description:
This silk national flag is quite intact with most of the loss being on the fly edge of the flag and in the canton. The arrangement of the canton is consistent with a 34-star flag, but only 28 stars remain. Across the fourth red and white stripes are painted the regimental designation “11th, REGIMENT MICHIGAN INFANTRY VOLUNTEER’S”. A gold-colored cotton fringe is attached along the top, bottom, and fly edge. The hoist end was fashioned into a sleeve for attachment to the staff.
The staff, which measures 89” by 1.25”, is topped with a spade finial. 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. Infantry”.
No tassels or cords remain.
The flag was netted (sewn between layers of dyed net) in the 1960s in an early attempt at conservation.
Adoption:
11th Michigan Volunteer Infantry
SC-41-90: Silk national ▪ Dimensions: 70”x 78” ▪ Gold Bullion Fringe
Description:
This 34-star silk national flag is quite intact with most of the loss being in the canton and along the hoist edge. The stars are applique and arranged in a 7-7-6-7-7 pattern. There is a lot of loss in the applique stars. Gold bullion fringe is attached to the top, bottom, and fly end of the flag. There is not enough of the hoist edge remaining to determine the original attachment method.
The staff, which measures 97.75” by 1.25” is missing a finial.
No tassels or cords remain.
The flag was netted (sewn between layers of dyed net) in the 1960s in an early attempt at conservation.
Adoption:
11th Michigan Volunteer Infantry
SC-58-90: Silk regimental ▪ Dimensions: 72”x 75” ▪ Cotton Fringe: 1.75”
Description:
This silk regimental flag features the federal eagle with two arced rows of stars above. There is a large rectangular area of loss through the middle of the silk so that only the wings and feet of the eagle remain. Additionally, this loss makes it difficult to determine the original number of stars on the flag. Below the eagle is painted a red banner, however the regimental designation was never added. A gold-colored cotton fringe is attached to the top and bottom of the flag. Much of the fringe is missing. The hoist end was fashioned into a sleeve for attachment to the staff.
The staff, which measures 85” by 1.5”, is topped with a spear shaped finial. 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. Infantry New Organization”.
The flag has a 120” blue and white twisted silk cord with two blue and white tassels measuring 2.25” in diameter. The tassels are wrapped on a wooden core.
The flag was netted (sewn between layers of dyed net) in the 1960s in an early attempt at conservation.
Adoption:
September 23, 1994 - St. Joseph County Historical Society
11th Michigan Volunteer Infantry
SC-59-90: Silk national ▪ Dimensions: 70”x 70” ▪ Silk Fringe: 2”
Description:
This is a 34-star silk national flag. The painted stars are very faded. There is a painted designation on the fourth red stripe which reads “11TH REG. MICH. VOL’S.” There are also battle honors painted on the flag. “ATLANTA” is painted on the second red stripe and “CAMPAIGN.” On the third red stripe. The fifth red stripe reads “STONE RIVER.” with three painted stripes before and after the words. This battle honor appears to have been painted at a different time than the rest of the flag. The sixth read stripe reads “CHICAMAUGA.” The last red stripe reads “MISSION RIDGE.” There is some loss along the fly edge of the flag. A gold-colored fringe is attached to the top, bottom, and fly edge of the flag, but there is some missing at the top of the fly edge. The hoist end was fashioned into a sleeve for attachment to the staff.
The staff, which measures 86” by 1.25”, is topped by a spear shaped finial. A green paper tag on the staff reads “Forwarded by the United States Express Co. from Sturgis, Mich.” A plaque is attached to the bottom of the staff, but part of the words are missing. The remaining text reads 11th Infantry”.
The flag has a 122” blue and white twisted silk cord with two blue and white tassels measuring 2.5” in diameter.
The flag was netted (sewn between layers of dyed net) in the 1960s in an early attempt at conservation.
Adoption:
September 23, 1994 - St. Joseph County Historical Society
11th Michigan Volunteer Infantry
SC-217-90: Silk regimental ▪ Dimensions: 70”x 72.5” ▪ Silk Fringe: 2”
Description:
This silk regimental flag features a painted eagle resting on a shield. Above the eagle are thirteen painted stars. A banner below the eagle bears the regimental designation “11th REGT. MICH. VOL’S”. While initially blue, the dye has faded to a light green color. The flag was constructed of four pieces of silk sewn together before it was painted. A gold-colored silk fringe is attached to the top, bottom, and fly end of the flag. The hoist side is torn away and at one point three sets of ribbon were attached to the hoist end of the flag. These non-period ties were removed during conservation.
In 1998 the flag was conserved by Textile Preservation Associates. It was carefully unfolded, flattened, aligned, and sewn between layers of a sheer material.
Adoption: