U.S. 21st Infantry Regimental Color from the period of the Philippine Insurrection.
This color belongs to the period of the Philippine Insurrection, and is typical of the fully embroidered colors that the U.S. Army started to provide in the early 20th Century. It features the arms of the US as depicted on the US Great Seal by Tiffany & Co. in 1885. This was a marked departure from the painted eagles with down-turned wings of earlier designs.
This US Infantry Regimental Color was embroidered specifically for the 21st United Infantry. Raised during American Civil War, the regiment saw action at Peninsula, Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. After the war and for the next 26 years, the 21st fought numerous Indian tribes throughout the West. It saw service in the following the Indian Wars: Modoc, Nez Perce, Bannock, and Arizona (1866-1870).
In 1899, during Spanish American War, the 21st saw action in and around Santiago as part of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps commanded by Maj. Gen William Pecos Bill Shafter. As a component of the 1st Division under the command of Brig. Gen Jacob Ford Kent, they landed at Daiquiri and at the Battle of San Juan Hill this division led the main attack on San Juan Hill while Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders led the attack on nearby Kettle Hill. Kent's division sustained heavy casualties during the assault. However, U.S. forces took the heights and the 21st Regiment participated in the subsequent Siege of Santiago. The 21st Regiment lost soldiers not only to the shot and shrapnel of the Spanish, but to the sweltering climate, yellow fever, malaria, typhoid and dysentery. Units of the 21st advanced further against the enemy than did any other unit throughout the war.
Rested and ready after the conflict in Cuba, the 21st was once more called on to fight for their country; this time to the Philippines. Expecting a rather pleasant garrison life, elements of the Regiment arrived at Luzon in May of 1899. Twenty-four hours later, they were in the trenches facing fanatical guerrillas near the Zapote River. They campaigned on Luzon in 1901 and 1902, and dispatched expeditions to the islands (1905 and 1909). Each of these detachments were successful in suppressing the guerillas in their areas.
Provenance:
• 21st United Infantry accompanied the Stars & Stripes during the Philippine Insurrection, 1899
• Acquired by Michel Kramer Collections.
• Acquired by Richard H. Keller who sold it to the Crow Art Partnership Collection on 1/27/86
• Acquired at auction from the Crow Art Partnership Collection, Dallas, Texas, via Heritage Auction Inc., at the 24 June 2007, Civil War Grand Format Auction, in Gettysburg, PA.
ZFC Significant Flag
Item is Framed
Sources:
Howard Madaus Letter of Authenticity to Heritage Auction Galleries, 22 June 2007, Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.
Madaus, Howard M.- Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict, VZ Publications, Santa Cruz, 2006.
Quartermaster General US Army, U.S. Army Uniforms and Equipment, 1889, reprint, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, 1986.
Haggard, John V. , Flag Making Tradition at the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot, 13 November 2011, from: http://www.qmfound.com/Flag_Making_Philadelphia_Depot.htm
21st Infantry Regiment (United States), Wikipedia, 13 November 2011, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_Infantry_Regiment_%28United_States%29
21st U.S. Infantry Regimental Flag - Colors, Gimlet4ever, 13 November 2011, from: http://gimlets4ever.wordpress.com/1898/02/06/21st-u-s-infantry-regimental-flag-colors/
21ST INFANTRY REGIMENT (GIMLET), 25th Infantry Division Association, 13 November 2011, from:
http://www.25thida.com/21stinf.html
Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection
CSG
USAC
