Flag, Union District Volunteer South Carolina Militia flag, 1861. Silk taffeta, paint. Chicago History Museum purchase, Charles F. Gunther Collection. 1920.1024
Dark blue taffeta with painted designs on both sides; obverse: green and brown palmetto tree with red bow around trunk; bow carries two oval shields - one a white palmetto on light blue ground, the other red star on light blue ground; above design in gold "UNION DISTRICT VOLUNTEERS" below design "JANUARY 12. 1861." ; reverse: large gold painted star surrounded by "OUR RIGHTS" (in gold) "FROM THE LADIES OF UNIONVILLE (in red) "Against the World in Arms" (in gold)
UNION DISTRICT VOLUNTEERS; JANUARY 12 1861; OUR RIGHTS; Against the World in Arms
Object History
Made and painted by the ladies of Unionville, South Carolina.
Subject Description
The flag bears an image of a palmetto tree, state symbol of South Carolina.
Curatorial Statement
Before the Civil War began, the South enlisted men in local militia units such as the Union District Volunteers of South Carolina. Their ceremonial flag, made and painted by the women of Unionville, bears an image of the palmetto tree, state symbol of South Carolina.
