A Confederate Battle Flag

by John Sexton

Q: I came across your profile and noted your specialized interest in collecting and dealing in Civil War flags and artifacts. I recently acquired two historic pieces that I believe will interest you:

• A Confederate battle flag measuring 46 1/4 inches, showing significant period wear, hand stitching, and construction irregularities.
  
• A framed Confederate parole document from Greensboro, North Carolina, dated May 2, 1865, issued to a Confederate sergeant.
  
  Both items were discovered together in the basement of a home purchased by some friends, who subsequently gifted them to me. A buyer is currently traveling to meet with me, examine the items in person, and make a direct purchase offer. Before finalizing any deal, however, I would like to obtain an expert appraisal to determine a fair market value for both pieces.
  
  Given your extensive background with Civil War flags, your insight would be incredibly valuable. I have attached high-resolution photographs showing the fabric, weave, stars, and parole document for your review.
  
  Please let me know your thoughts on their historical significance, estimated value, and if these are pieces you might be interested in competing for or purchasing yourself.
  Thank you for your time and expertise. I look forward to your response.
  
  ____________
  JS: Thank you for allowing me to view your excellent photographs of a wonderful find. Your flag is a regulation Army of Northern Virginia (ANV) battle flag. Based on its size and construction, it appears to be a third bunting issue manufactured in 1863. More detailed historical data is available, but you want to know how to make an informed decision about the best way to monetize these pieces.
  
  I usually recommend auction for rare historic artifacts. During the past few years, ANV battle flags have sold in a range of about $75,000 to $350,000.
  
  When I first examined the photographs, I thought the flag showed insect or rodent damage. However, your photographs are of such high quality that I now believe the damage is entirely battle-related, and many bullet holes can be identified.
  
  It is remarkable that the entire leading edge, or hoist, is missing. Was the flag shot from its staff while standing before the Confederate works at Petersburg? Maybe there is a written account to be found.
  
  Flags that bring the highest prices are those positively identified to a specific unit. An additional premium is often paid for flags with unit designations applied to the flag which this flag is void of.
  
  However, we can identify this flag through the accompanying Greensboro parole document. There is little doubt, in my opinion, that the document establishes the flag’s provenance.
  
  The parole document itself has a value of approximately $2,000. Paroles of honor issued following the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston’s army at Greensboro, North Carolina, are quite scarce.
  
  The recipient was Sergeant William Jefferson Hanna (1843–1911) of the Chesterfield Light Artillery of South Carolina. The other Confederate signature belongs to the final commander of the Chesterfield Light Artillery, who surrendered the unit and paroled its men.
  
  The Chesterfield Light Artillery, along with Sergeant Hanna, served from 1861 through most of General Robert E. Lee’s campaigns in Virginia. At its peak, the battery numbered approximately 105 men. Early in 1865, it left the Army of Northern Virginia and joined Johnston’s army in North Carolina, explaining why an ANV battle flag was present in the Western Theater.
  
  Hanna’s obituary states that his battle-riddled flag draped his coffin until he was buried.
  If this battle flag were valued solely on its appearance as a heavily used wartime flag with no known history, I would estimate its value at approximately $65,000 to $75,000.
  Knowing its history, however, could, in my opinion, nearly double that figure, resulting in a replacement value of approximately $125,000 to $150,000.
  
  You are taking the right approach by obtaining multiple offers. I am confident you will find a collector or dealer eager to become the first owner of this newly documented ANV battle flag.
  
  I am currently aware of approximately 210 documented third bunting issue ANV battle flags, the majority of which reside in institutional collections.
  
  

John Sexton is an independent appraiser and expert on Civil War memorabilia. He is an accredited member of various appraiser organizations. He can be contacted at 770-329-4984. If you have a Civil War item for him to appraise, email a photo and a description to him at: CivilWarAppraiser@gmail.com.

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