Civil War–Era 34-Star Wool Bunting United States Flag

Description

Civil War–Era 34-Star Wool Bunting United States Flag

 

This is an original Civil War–period United States national flag constructed of wool bunting, the standard military and naval flag fabric of the mid-19th century.

 

Constructed of cotton and wool material consisting of a blue canton with 34 white stars in the upper left quadrant and thirteen equally positioned stripes, 7 red and 6 white. General History The United States National 34-Star flag was adopted with the admission of Kansas as the 34th state in January 1861. It was used until 1863 when West Virginia became a state. At no time did the national flag lose stars. Since the United States believed that secession from the Union was illegal, the flag continued to bear the stars of all the states of the Union, even the Southern states. Flag makers had several designs for the 34-star flag.

 

The canton features thirty-four hand-applied white cotton stars, arranged in a rectilinear grid configuration. This orderly and symmetrical star layout is characteristic of government-contract and depot-made flags of the Civil War era, particularly those intended for official military, naval, or signal use rather than civilian or decorative display. 

 

The stars are single-appliquéd, hand-sewn, and slightly irregular in shape—hallmarks of period construction. Their placement emphasizes clarity and visibility at distance, consistent with flags meant to be read quickly in field conditions rather than admired at close range. 

 

This type of star arrangement reflects the Union government’s preference for legibility and standardization during wartime, as opposed to the more whimsical medallion or scattered star patterns seen on pre-war or civilian parade flags. 

 

Given its large format and wool bunting construction, this flag was not a parade or civilian decorative flag. Flags of this size were produced for practical, official purposes, including: 

• Garrison or post display at forts, headquarters, arsenals, and encampments 
• Naval or riverine service, flown aboard Union vessels or at naval stations 
• Signal or identification use, where visibility at distance was essential 
• Institutional display, such as courthouses, recruiting offices, or military depots. 

 

Such flags were working objects—raised daily, exposed to weather, and intended to endure use—rather than preserved ceremonial pieces. 

 

Inventory Number: PLA 059