LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 June Civil War Grand Format Auction #663  / 

72110

Confederate Naval Signal Flag - Captured at Fort

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 16,000.00 USD
Confederate Naval Signal Flag - Captured at Fort
<B>Confederate Naval Signal Flag - Captured at Fort Morgan, Alabama, in 1864</B></I> A Confederate made naval style signed flag signifying “guard.” Captured with the surrender of Fort Morgan in Mobile Bay near Mobile, Alabama, August 23, 1864.<BR><BR>Under the early light of dawn on August 5, 1864, Union Admiral David Farragut led a flotilla of 14 wooden ships, four ironclads, and numerous gunboats into Mobile Bay to seal off the city of Mobile, one of the two remaining Confederate ports. While entering the bay, the Union monitor <I>USS Tecumseh</B></I> struck a submerged torpedo and sank. Under fire from both the Confederate fleet and Fort Morgan, Farragut had to choose between retreating or risking the minefield. He then issued his famous order, “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!”<BR><BR>Passing the minefield safely, Union ships defeated the Southern flotilla, while Union ground forces captured the forts. Although the city of Mobile remained in Confederate hands, the last blockade-running port on the Gulf Coast east of the Mississippi was closed.<BR><BR><B>Authentication:</B></I> Flag consists of a white wool and bunting field, pieced horizontally in each quadrant formed by the red wool bunting St. Andrew's cross 7 ½” to 8” wide, inset into the field. Flag measures 65” on its hoist by 81” on its fly, including the 1 1/4” wide white (turned tan) heading that serves as a sleeve for a single halyard rope attachment, lopped into an eyelet at the top and extended 30” at the bottom. Flag shows service and bears at least five patches to cover previous damage.<BR><BR>Letters of authenticity and research from renowned Civil War flag expert and author Howard Madaus.<BR><BR><B>Provenance:</B></I> <I>Crow Art Partnership Collection (Dallas, Texas) <BR><BR>Formerly in the collection of George Wray of Atlanta, Georgia</B></I>*****<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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