CIVIL War Oldest Flag Cavalry General George Crook Silk Guidon Artifact

  

Oldest Flag from General George Crook Civil War. 73.6 cm, 101.6 cm (framed).

Framed, together with a photograph of General George Crook and a typed letter describing the history of the flag: Dear Jeff: / Here's the flag Val and I promised you way last June. / It's called a guidon (used to guide troops into battle) and was first used by Gen. Phil Sheridan's men in the Civil war. It has 34 stars -- the 34th added when Kansas was admitted to the Union in 1861 (even before Nevada was a state).

George Crook, who served under Sheridan, took it with him to the Bad Lands of South Dakota when he was assigned to put down the Sioux Indian uprising after the Custer massacre in 1876. The Indian chief, Sitting Bull, surrendered to Gen. Crook and the Sioux problem was solved.

Crook (still flying this flag) was sent to Idaho to tame the Piute and Snake Indians, which he did. His greatest triumph was crushing the Apache menace in Arizona and putting their fierce leader Geronimo out of circulation in 1886, thus making the west safe for white people.

Crook died, strangely enough, of natural causes in 1890 and this flag was handed down through generations. It was given to us by his last known heir, a friend of ours. Many years ago the Chicago Tribune had a contest to see who had the oldest flag. This battle-scarred 100 year old veteran won hands down.

It really belongs under glass in a museum. Do not attempt to clean it -- it would fall apart. / It is a great relic of our nation's growth and had a major role in making American the most wonderful country in the world.

/ Warmest regards / DICK (inscribed in pencil) / Dick Blakesley. General George Crook Richard L. Julia Auctions, Fairfield, Maine, October 14-16, 2013, lot 2279.