Description: This flag is similar to a South Carolina State Flag. It measures 77 x 52" and is cotton with painted border and painted design. The design is a green palmetto tree with two red-edged, yellow shields. There is a yellow rattlesnake at the base of the tree and five black arrows protruding from the grass beneath the tree. The scroll is white and the black outline letters read: CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

This interesting flag was captured by Captain Patrick's Company C, 16th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry from a party of rebels at Utica, Missouri on 14 June 1861.Thus the capture of this flag predates the First Battle of Bull Run. It is possible that the flag dates from the era of the Missouri-Kansas borders wars of the 1850's. It presumably belonged to a Missouri Guard.

The images and information regarding the flags in this web site are used with permission and courtesy of Dr. John Schmale [email protected] and are maintained at State Military Museum, Illinois National Guard. Images of flags of other Illinois Civil War Regiments attributable to Dr. Schmale are viewable at Civil War Flags of Illinois

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