Cavalry Flags
NOTE: All photographs are by Peter Glendinning. (Dark netting used in
earlier conservation of some flags obscures their detail.) The text and images in this
exhibit may be used by students, teachers and the public for personal and academic
purposes. Any commercial use or publication of them (print or online) is strictly
prohibited. Click on the flag to see a larger image.
 First Michigan Cavalry
Regiment
On 28 September 1861 Colonel Thornton Brodhead received this flag on behalf of the First
Michigan Cavalry Regiment. On 30 August 1862, at Second Bull Run, Brodhead was shot.
Knowing he was dying, he wrote, his wife: "I hope from heaven I may see the glorious
old flag wave again over the individual Union I have loved so well. Farewell wife and
Babes and Friends. We shall meet again." (87.136.90)
 Third Michigan Cavalry
Regiment
This flag was probably presented to the Third Volunteer Cavalry when it was reorganizing
in Kalamazoo in June 1864. The cavalry had originally mustered in at Grand Rapids in
November 1861 and fought fiercely, primarily in Mississippi. (87.119.90)
Fourth Michigan Cavalry Regiment
The Fourth mustered in at Detroit in August 1862 under the command of Robert H. G. Minty.
In November 1864, after the Fourth had been in the field for more than two years, this
flag—bearing 40 battle honors—was sent to the regiment by the "Ladies of
Flint." In May 1865, Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy, surrendered to
the Fourth under this flag. (87.134.90)
 Fifth Michigan Cavalry
Regiment
This flag belonged to the Fifth Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, which was raised in the Detroit
area and mustered in on 30 August 1862. The Fifth Michigan Cavalry joined the First, Sixth
and Seventh Cavalry regiments to make up the Michigan Cavalry Brigade commanded by General
George Armstrong Custer. (93.88.1)
Fifth Michigan Cavalry Regiment
This swallowtail guidon belonged to the Fifth Michigan Cavalry raised in the Detroit area
in 1862. The Fifth joined the First, Sixth and Seventh Cavalry regiments to make the
Michigan Cavalry Brigade commanded by General George Custer. After the war this flag was
in the possession of the family of Smith Hastings (Fifth Michigan Cavalry) who received a
Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery. (93.88.2)
 Sixth Michigan Cavalry
Regiment
Organized at Grand Rapids and sent to the field 11 October 1862, the Sixth Michigan flew
this flag. It bears the motto "Fear Not Death—Fear Dishonor." (87.121.90)
Sixth Michigan Cavalry Regiment
The Sixth Michigan Cavalry Regiment was organized in Grand Rapids and sent to the field in
October 1862. Along with the First, Fifth, and Seventh, it was part of the Michigan
Cavalry Brigade commanded by General George Custer. (87.132.90)
Seventh Michigan Cavalry Regiment
Organized in 1863 at Grand Rapids, the Seventh was part of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade
under the command of the "Boy General" from Monroe, Michigan—George Armstrong
Custer. Each company or troop within a cavalry regiment carried a swallowtail guidon like
this one. (87.123.90)
 Seventh Michigan Cavalry
Regiment
Organized in the winter of 1863 at Grand Rapids, the Seventh became part of the famous
Michigan Cavalry Brigade under the dashing "boy general," George Armstrong
Custer of Monroe, Michigan. Consisting of the First, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Michigan
Cavalry Regiments, this was the only Union brigade created completely of troops from a
single state. (87.131.90)
 Eighth Michigan Cavalry
Regiment
Organized at Mount Clemens, this regiment was sent to Kentucky in May 1863 to chase
General John Morgan, whose rebel raiders were terrorizing Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.
Before the regiment left for Kentucky, the ladies of Mount Clemens gave the men a silk
battle flag painted with the regiment's name in gold. The Fourth of July 1864 found the
regiment fighting near Atlanta, where this flag was carried to the front line of battle. An
officer from another regiment ordered the flag from the field, saying, "it would be
the means of killing more of our men than it was worth, as it only afforded a target for
the rebels to shoot at." Here was a rare recorded case in which the dangers of
carrying the flag were fully recognized. The flag was carried off the field. (87.130.90)
Ninth Michigan Cavalry Regiment
This flag was presented to the Ninth Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment when its men were
mustered in during 1863 in Coldwater. Writing in 1876, Adjutant General John Robertson
described the flag as a "very neat and finely lettered silk standard, with the United
States arms on one side, and on the other that of the State, with the inscription:
‘Presented by the ladies of Coldwater.' The Flag passed through many hard
battlefields, but was carefully guarded and well defended." (87.129.90)
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