U.S. 45 Star Infantry National Color, 21st Regiment.
This U.S. Infantry national color was embroidered specifically for the 21st United Infantry. Formed during the 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, Bannocks, and Arizona.

In 1899, during the 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. The division led the main attack on San Juan Hill while the 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 joined 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, rugged topography, yellow fever. 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. Anticipating the monotony of garrison life, companies of the regiment were fighting insurgent guerrillas from entrenched positions near the Zapote River a mere Twenty-four hours after landing at Luzon in May of 1899 . They campaigned on Luzon in 1901 and 1902, and conducted expeditions to other Philippine islands in 1905 and 1909. These contingents was successful in defeating the guerillas.

This wool bunting US National Color belongs to the 1896-1907 period of both the Spanish American War and Philippine Insurrection. The unit designation, "21st REGIMENT, U. S. INFANTRY" is embroidered in white and the US Infantry designating color on the center red stripe. It is fringed on three sides with a golden yellow, hand knotted fringe, and was probably used in both Cuba and the Philippines.

Provenance:
• 21st United Infantry 1896-1907
• 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.

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
USANC