Wool, approx. 36 x 48 in., machine-sewn swallowtail-shaped flag comprised of a large, single-applique star on a blue canton. The fly is constructed of four red and white stripes. The cotton hoist bears the following inscription, "15 Texas Regt Wall's Brigade CSA," along with the names "W.H. Shuler," "Toby Rex," and "Godfrey Mouse." Displayed beneath double-sided plate glass, in a copper frame, 44 x 54 in. The flag appears to be hung in the frame with wire supports to keep it from slipping. Weight of flag and frame combined, approx. 200+ pounds (refer to condition report). The framed flag was crated approx. 50 years ago and only recently has been discovered, sitting in a garage in Northern Ohio. Outside of a copy of a ca 1930s photograph showing the flag displayed in the home of a relative to the consignor, no further provenance accompanies the flag. Despite efforts to positively identify the names inscribed on the flag, "W.H. Shuler, Toby Rex, Godfrey Mouse," there are simply too many permutations of the three names in Federal service records as well as Texas unit records to come to any conclusions. It has been suggested that the names represent soldiers from a Federal unit that captured the flag from the 15th Texas Cavalry or 15th Texas Infantry, but the commonality of the names combined with the lack of additional provenance makes it difficult to associate the three names with a specific regiment. Regarding the portion of the inscription that reads, "15 Texas Regt Wall's Brigade CSA," we recognize the alternative spelling of "Wall/Waul" as a possible 19th century disambiguation, recorded by someone (likely one of the associated names) who was probably unfamiliar with Thomas N. Waul, the Confederate commanding officer from Texas. However, there is no record of the 15th Texas regiment serving under Waul, making the unit designation inexplicable. Nevertheless, it remains a possibility that the "15th" numerical designation was mistakenly recorded. Thomas N. Waul (1813-1903) commanded a Confederate brigade beginning September 1862 while still a Colonel. He retained command of the infantry component of his Waul's Texas Legion and surrendered the same at Vicksburg. Promoted to Brigadier General after being exchanged on September 18, 1863, Waul led an infantry brigade for the rest of the war seeing action at Mansfield/Pleasant Hill while assigned to John G. Walker's (Texas) Division. Waul later transferred to Arkansas and fought at Jenkins' Ferry. Sources are mum as to whether Waul formally surrendered (the flag as a war trophy?) or simply "melted away." Coincidentally, an artillery company that composed part of Waul's Texas Legion was commanded by Captain J.Q. Wall (originally of Company B of the Legion). While little has been uncovered about this flag and its history relative to the Civil War, it is clear that the original owners spared no expense in having it mounted and framed, thus indicating that it undoubtedly has a story to tell. Condition: Auctioneer's Note: Due to the weight of the frame, special arrangements for transporting the flag will have to be made. The original crate accompanies the lot.
Wool, approx. 36 x 48 in., machine-sewn swallowtail-shaped flag comprised of a large, single-applique star on a blue canton. The fly is constructed of four red and white stripes. The cotton hoist bears the following inscription, "15 Texas Regt Wall's Brigade CSA," along with the names "W.H. Shuler," "Toby Rex," and "Godfrey Mouse." Displayed beneath double-sided plate glass, in a copper frame, 44 x 54 in. The flag appears to be hung in the frame with wire supports to keep it from slipping. Weight of flag and frame combined, approx. 200+ pounds (refer to condition report). The framed flag was crated approx. 50 years ago and only recently has been discovered, sitting in a garage in Northern Ohio. Outside of a copy of a ca 1930s photograph showing the flag displayed in the home of a relative to the consignor, no further provenance accompanies the flag. Despite efforts to positively identify the names inscribed on the flag, "W.H. Shuler, Toby Rex, Godfrey Mouse," there are simply too many permutations of the three names in Federal service records as well as Texas unit records to come to any conclusions. It has been suggested that the names represent soldiers from a Federal unit that captured the flag from the 15th Texas Cavalry or 15th Texas Infantry, but the commonality of the names combined with the lack of additional provenance makes it difficult to associate the three names with a specific regiment. Regarding the portion of the inscription that reads, "15 Texas Regt Wall's Brigade CSA," we recognize the alternative spelling of "Wall/Waul" as a possible 19th century disambiguation, recorded by someone (likely one of the associated names) who was probably unfamiliar with Thomas N. Waul, the Confederate commanding officer from Texas. However, there is no record of the 15th Texas regiment serving under Waul, making the unit designation inexplicable. Nevertheless, it remains a possibility that the "15th" numerical designation was mistakenly recorded. Thomas N. Waul (1813-1903) commanded a Confederate brigade beginning September 1862 while still a Colonel. He retained command of the infantry component of his Waul's Texas Legion and surrendered the same at Vicksburg. Promoted to Brigadier General after being exchanged on September 18, 1863, Waul led an infantry brigade for the rest of the war seeing action at Mansfield/Pleasant Hill while assigned to John G. Walker's (Texas) Division. Waul later transferred to Arkansas and fought at Jenkins' Ferry. Sources are mum as to whether Waul formally surrendered (the flag as a war trophy?) or simply "melted away." Coincidentally, an artillery company that composed part of Waul's Texas Legion was commanded by Captain J.Q. Wall (originally of Company B of the Legion). While little has been uncovered about this flag and its history relative to the Civil War, it is clear that the original owners spared no expense in having it mounted and framed, thus indicating that it undoubtedly has a story to tell. Condition: Auctioneer's Note: Due to the weight of the frame, special arrangements for transporting the flag will have to be made. The original crate accompanies the lot.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
