Page 37 - joa-may-23

by John Sexton

Q: I have a Civil War Regiment Battle Flag I would like to have appraised.
I believe this is authentic. The flag came to my attention thru my neighbor
of 40+ years whose cousin gave him the flag. This was her late husband’s,
who was a prominent attorney and this flag was given to him in exchange
for services, we believe. What is certain is it had been kept in a safety deposit
box for years and years. This is a 2nd ARK REG. 1 Battle Flag. It was
captured by the 38th Regiment Illinois Volunteers that were commanded by
Col. Gilmer at Liberty Gap in Tennessee on June 25th, 1863, almost
three months to the day when Gilmer was killed on the battlefield from a
shotgun in the abdomen.
Before he was mustered into the Civil War, Gilmer practiced law and
was friends with President Lincoln who frequently came to Gilmer’s office.
Gilmer attended the Inauguration of President Lincoln. This was before
was mustered into the civil war. Here is a photo of the flag and the
battlefield where Gilmer was killed.
I am not certain of the material used to make the flag. It measured
approximately 40 x 47 inches. Hill in the "bowl" of Liberty
Gap where the flag
JS: Wow, you have done your homework! This is an incredible flag, and was captured.
unquestionably original. I love the stenciled capture ID of 38th Illinois.
That stencil was added when the flag was displayed at the Cleveland Confederates carried.
Sanitary Fair in March 1864. I notice that after the fair many of the Hoover’s Gap was the
displayed items were sold or auctioned for benefit of the U.S. Sanitary first battle where
Association which sponsored these events in several major U.S. cities. Spencer’s were used in
The Cleveland Fair raised over $100,000 – a lot of money in 1864. the same campaign just
The pattern of this flag was issued in the spring of 1863 to Hardee’s two days earlier.
Corps, an Army of Tennessee. It was captured not long after its issue at The flag appears to have little damage other than possible blood
Liberty Gap, TN, during Tullahoma Campaign. This was a fight where stains. The official records recorded the events and stated that two color
Confederates were decimated by Union forces who were armed with bearers were killed carrying the flag that day. There are very few Hardee
Spencer repeating carbines. This was only the second time repeaters pattern flags in private hands. Most are in institutions and museums.
were used in battle to a massive advantage by Union troopers who The last three sales I can document were each well over $100,000, but
could fire seven times for every round from muzzle loaders that there have been no sales in the last five years.

Q: Has anyone ever seen a “curry comb-style” or “cotton carding-style” JS: I have never seen anything like it and definitely an interesting
comb” for slave use as a hairbrush? Read the old display card when this was “African American” cultural
on display at Charleston UDC museum. Look at the vignettes of the two item. I doubt that only a few
elegantly dressed African Americans on the llustrated label. Any idea of could have survived. I do not
where Ells was located who made these. How much is it worth? know who F. Ells & Company,
the vendor was but the patent
date matches for C. Sumner
Dickerman of Lansingburg,
NY. I am not sure if this was
sold as novelty or not, but it
does date from Civil War era.
Do any of our readers know
where “F. Ells & Company”
were at? Similar oddities from
the Civil War with interesting
illustrations sell for several
hundred dollars. African-
American Civil War items are
currently in demand and bring
premiums in auction, value Patent for “improved hand-card for currying
could be much higher. horses, cattle and other purposes”

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: jsextonatlcom.ne@mindspring.com.

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