35 Star U.S. Flag - Maj. Gen George Thomas
This period example 35 star United States flag was made to mark the admission of West Virginia as the 35th state on June 20, 1863; and would remain accurate until the admission of Nevada on October 31st 1864, a period of 1 year, 4 months, 11 days, and would remain official until July 4th 1865, after the surrender of Lee at Appomattox.

This 35 star flags was formerly part of the collection of The Flag House & Star-Spangled Banner Museum. Founded in 1927, it is one of Baltimore's oldest museums open to the public. The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Association, Inc. was formed in 1927 to operate a museum dedicated to the story of Mary Young Pickersgill who made the enormous 30 x 42-foot Star-Spangled Banner that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that became our National Anthem. Mary Pickersgill's flag still survives and now hangs at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. As one of the earliest institutions dedicated to the study of flags, The Flag House & Star-Spangled Banner Museum also became a repository for flags from other eras, and amassed one of the most impressive flag collections in the nation.

When this flag was acquired by the Zaricor collection a physical investigation revealed numerous places on the flag were marked or signed "Thomas" and/or "George H Thomas". The signatures on some of the stars of the flag lead to the conclusion this was a flag associated with Union General George H. Thomas "The Rock of Chickamauga" during the American Civil War. Thomas was nicknamed the Rock of Chickamauga for his stubborn defense of during the 1864 battle in N. Georgia when the Confederate forces routed the Union forces and General Thomas troops did not retreat and held their ground thus preventing the destruction of the Union forces. During the Battle of Nashville in the autumn outside Nashville the 15th -16th December that year General Thomas' forces routed the remains of the Confederate Army of Tennessee in the hills surrounding the railroad and supply center at Nashville, just as General Grant was preparing to replace him for acting too slowly. Thomas' victory cemented his command over the middle theater of the Union armies. This flag bears General Thomas name on at least one of its stars. The post-War owner of this flag claimed that it also had flown at Appomattox Court House after General Lee surrendered.
However, since General Thomas was still in command of the Department of the Cumberland in Nashville when the surrender took place, that claim makes it likely Thomas signed this flag after the war for some reason. Other names (too faded to read clearly) are also on the stars suggesting other officers might have signed the flag; therefore the claim of Appomattox may be valid since the star was signed by at least one former Civil War General. Though there is no evidence of any U.S. flag having been present at the McLean House where Lee's surrender took place, it seems likely given the number of troops present, no records exist to the contrary. It is possible that this flag was raised at the Court House or nearby area some hours or days after the surrender. This history needs further review.

Possibly George H. Thomas signed the flag for someone, an aide, friend or associate, and presented it at a ceremony marking a special occasion during the war or at the end of the war. There is "No. 12" written on the upper star to the hoist. This may support the idea the flag was present at a special ceremony or commemoration. The printed name "George Thomas" on cotton label was sewn on the flag in several places. Sleeved for display.

The Lost Flag Special Mention
Our gratitude to David Newman of San Francisco who found this flag on 2nd Street June 2001 when it was lost in traffic. Due to his forethought and honesty, the flag was returned to Ben Zaricor undamaged on July 4th, 2002 with much fanfare by the news media both national and local.

Exhibition History:
First Presidio Exhibit
(ZFC0142)

Second Presidio Exhibit, 2003 - Gallery III
(ZFC0142)

Presidential Debate
Washington University at St. Louis
October, 2004
(ZFC0142)

Publication History:
Crump, Anne, David Studarus, photographer, "A Grand Old Obsession." American Spirit: Daughters of the American revolution Magazine: July/August 2003: P.20.

Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p.88.

Provenance:
• Originally owned by Francis Gilbert Brewster, New Jersey.
• Acquired by Charles Scarlett, Baltimore, MD, until 1986.
• Gifted to the Star Spangled Banner Flag House & Museum, until 1996.
• Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection from the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Collection of Baltimore, MD. in 1996.
Deaccessed, Bonhams Auction ARM24122MR - 12 November 2024


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ZFC Significant Flag

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