Premier Firearms Auction
May 6, 7, 8 & 9, 2022
Our first premier auction of 2022! This event hosts collections from across the country and brings them under one roof for an amazing multi-day auction!
This is an incredible opportunity to add rare and desirable firearms & militaria to your collection.
AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE & HISTORIC CONFEDERATE 1ST ISSUE POLK PATTERN BATTLE FLAG OF THE 4TH TENNESSEE INFANTRY.
02-16160
The first issue of the Polk pattern flag was on January 30, 1862 and consisted of 45 flags made of silk utilizing the St. George Cross pattern. The flags were produced in Memphis, TN and shipped to General Leonidas Polk, who was a second cousin to President James K. Polk. The flag was to be used by Polk’s 1st Grand Division of the Army of the Mississippi. A second pattern flag of similar design was issued in the summer of 1862 that was smaller in size and made of bunting rather than silk. This particular flag, as well as others of the same St. George Cross first pattern, measures approximately 48″ x 90″. The flags were originally issued with a white canvas pole sleeve. This flag was carried during many battles including Perryville, KY, Corinth, MS and Shiloh, TN. After the Battle of Shiloh, the Polk pattern flag was replaced by the St. Andrew’s Cross battle flag favored by Polk’s noted rival, General Braxton Bragg. Of the 45 flags originally issued, only 4 are known to have survived and this is the only example in private hands.
This flag was photographed in 1901 being held by surviving members of the 4th Tennessee Infantry during a reunion on the Shiloh battlefield. The very same losses and reductions to the flag that can be seen in the photograph may still be observed in the professionally conserved and framed flag. A 6″ x 18″ silk battle honor with the painted word, “SHILOH” and 2 sequined stars is displayed in the right hand bottom corner of the flag. The 4th Tennessee carried this flag at the battle of Shiloh on April 5th and 6th of 1862. They were one of the heaviest engaged Confederate units and suffered nearly 50% casualties. This may be your only opportunity to purchase a Polk pattern battle flag, utilizing the St. George Cross, with such outstanding provenance. The flag has received professional archival conservation and framing.
UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: flag is accompanied by conservation report by Heritage Conservation of Christiansburg, VA. The flag also comes with more than 20 pages of historical research on the 4th Tennessee and other flags used by Tennessee troops.
PROVENANCE: Colonel Andrew Kellar, 4th Tennessee Infantry regiment. The flag has excellent provenance starting w/ Colonel Kellar, who had possession of the flag after the war, to sometime in the early 20th century. The flag was acquired by Memphis financier, Vance J. Alexander (1884-1967), and remained with him and his descendants until 2021.
