Flags signaled other units in battle, but were also a tangible manifestation of the beliefs and spirit of a group of people. As such, flags were protected to the point of injury or death. Men in service took pride in what their flag meant, whether it symbolized their particular corps or the larger intentions of war. Designating flags were used to organize army units, whereas other flags directly represented the two warring factions. This section displays objects that were used as flags during the Civil War.
