VFW Post 1503 discovers rare Civil War flag

On Sept. 5, a small group of VFW Post 1503 members gathered to retire 215 torn, soiled and discarded U.S. flags collected over the summer. Flag collection and retirement ceremonies are conducted throughout the year as just one of many services the VFW performs in support of the local community. The ceremonies are simple, yet dignified, as prescribed by U.S. law, and there is seldom a point of excitement. That would normally be considered improper. All that changed on Sunday.

While sorting through the flags to determine texture and size prior to the ceremony, VFW member Ed Tatum suddenly stopped cold, not believing what he had just removed from a collection box. This flag was different. Its white stripes were faded yellow, it had been patched or repaired with hand-sewn stitches no less than 17 times, and it’s blue field contained only 35 stars. With both reverence and amazement in his voice, Tatum, who is also a Civil War re-enactor, turned to the others and said, “I think you might want to look at this.”  

Ann Jones of Post 1503’s Ladies Auxiliary quickly searched for historical information using her Blackberry. In seconds, she looked up with a smile.

“This flag was only flown from 1863 to 1865.  It’s from the Civil War,” she said.

Additional research revealed that the 35-star Civil War flag was approved and authorized by Congress following the June 20, 1863 acceptance of West Virginia as the 35^th state.  By law, it was formally adopted and flown for the first time in Washington, D.C. on July 4, 1863. The significance of this date was not lost on VFW members.  On July 4 1863, two other significant events occurred in U.S. history. Gen. Robert E. Lee turned his defeated Army of Northern Virginia southward and began a painful withdrawal from Gettysburg. Confederate forces also surrendered Vicksburg to a rising Union general by the name of Ulysses S. Grant. Such things matter to the combat veterans of the VFW and their families.

 Such unexpected events as this are what former Post Commander Mike Lowe described as a “special and memorable snapshot in time that most likely will never be repeated in our lives.  It was the 35-star American flag that met the battle-weary gaze of the surrendering Confederate soldiers at Appomattox as the nation finally turned its thoughts to peace and reconciliation. This flag is special.”

The motto of the VFW is “Honor the Dead, By Serving the Living. “ It quickly came into play on Sunday.  The group made a unanimous decision to spare the rare flag from burning so that others may gaze upon it and learn of its significant place in American history as the revered symbol of the United States at a time when Americans faced Americans in what would become the bloodiest of all her wars.

VFW Post 1503 in Dale City is attempting to acquire authentication of the flag prior to making a final decision on whether to donate the flag to an appropriate organization or having it preserved and publically displayed at Post 1503 on Minnieville Road. 

-- VFW Post 1503