A CAPTURED FRAGMENT FROM CONFEDERATE BRIGADIER GENERAL W. F. PERRY’S HEADQUARTERS FLAG, “KNOXVILLE”

Virginia, 1861–65; taken at Appomattox Court House, April 1865.

A vivid section of scarlet bunting painted in tall shaded roman capitals “KNOXVILL–”—surviving from a larger headquarters “national” flag attributed by period labels to Brigadier General William F. Perry (44th Alabama; later Perry’s Brigade, Field’s Division, Longstreet’s Corps). Two period paper notations are pinned to the cloth: a small manuscript slip, “Part Rebel Flag,” and a typed label reading: “A fragment of Rebel General W. F. Perry’s Headquarters National Flag. Liberated at Appomatox Va. April, 1865 by Major then on staff 2nd Cavalry Division U.S.A. Charles Treichel. Deposited Hall 153 by C. T.” 14 1/2 X 5 3/4 IN. 

According to the attached period label, this fragment was taken at Appomattox Court House by Major Charles Treichel of the U.S. 2nd Cavalry Division and was later deposited in “Hall 153” (likely in a veterans’ hall). It is a rectangular remnant of red silk-wool bunting with a hand-painted inscription, its edges irregular from period cutting and faint traces of the original field folds still visible. The fragment was almost certainly part of a battle honor referencing the Knoxville Campaign of 1863, in which Brigadier General William F. Perry’s command served.

Perry (1823–1901) fought with distinction from the Peninsula through Tennessee and surrendered with Field’s Division at Appomattox on 9 April 1865. Headquarters colors were seldom preserved after the war, many were cut up as souvenirs at the surrender. Thus, fragments that carry contemporary capture documentation are exceptionally rare. As a documented piece taken at the moment of capitulation, this Knoxville fragment is a significant artifact for collections of Civil War flags, Appomattox relics, and Confederate command insignia.