The War of 1812 as fought in North America between the United States and the United Kingdom was an extension of the Napoleonic Wars fought between the United Kingdom and her allies against Napoleonic France. This primarily European conflict was fought globally on land and sea.

One of the ZFC's most significant flags is the last known surviving Union Flag documented to have flown at the Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805. Flown on the HMS Spartite it was reputedly presented to an officer for gallantry after that decisive battle. The officer, Lt. James Clephan, preserved the flag for posterity.

Likewise included in this grouping of flags are a French Republic warship's Masthead Pennant, believed to have been taken by the USS Constitution during the 1799 - 1800 Quasi-War with France; a U.K. Royal Veterans Reserve Color used for units raised from veteran troops and billeted at seacoast forts and inland garrisons so that younger, more able soldiers were freed for service abroad.

Also included are two rare American flags that resulted from the lessons learned by the American military of the inadequacies of the U.S. militia system - redesigned Infantry and dragoon militia flags, which reflect the beginnings of the reorganization of the American militia.

The Grouping contains a period newspaper and a program for Centennial of the end of the War celebrated in New Orleans in 1915. Concluding the Grouping is the current flag of the Oriental Club in London. Although made of contemporary fabrics the flag represents a traditional British club that was founded in 1824 by the Duke of Wellington, a hero of the Napoleonic Wars.

The Napoleonic Period & The War of 1812, 1799 - 1815 Grouping