Flags of Gaines' Mill

Treasures from the Museum of the Confederacy

The Civil War Trust would like to thank the Museum of the Confederacy for allowing us to display these images of Confederate battle flags that flew with units that fought on the very ground that we are working to save at the Gaines' Mill battlefield.   Please visit the Museum of the Confederacy's website to learn more about their extensive collections  (www.moc.org).

Battle Flag of the 11th Alabama Infantry (Museum of the Confederacy (www.moc.org))

11th Alabama Infantry

This battle flag from the 11th Alabama shows off its recent battle honor for the Battle of Seven Pines.   This battle scarred banner was carried by the 11th Alabama as they made their way across the 285-acre tract of land that we are seeking to preserve.  Part of Wilcox's Brigade, the 11th Alabama first faced accurate long-range artillery fire from Union cannon across the Chickahominy River.  The Alabamians then faced the prospect of crossing the swampy bottoms of Boatswain's Creek before ascending the steep escarpment to the double-tiered line of waiting Federal soldiers.  The 11th Alabama would lose 316 men at Gaines' Mill and Glendale, three days later. 

Left:  The 19th Virginia Infantry:  Part of Pickett's Brigade at Gaines' Mill, this brigade lost 426 men during the charge. Brig. Gen. George Pickett was also wounded in this attack.
Right: The 3rd Virginia Infantry: Part of Pryor's Brigade, the 3rd Virginia was on the extreme right of the Confederate assault.  Pryor's Brigade would lose around 450 men on June 27, 1862.

Left: The 28th Virginia Infantry: The 28th Virginia was in Pickett's Brigade as they made their way to Boatswain's Creek.
Right: The 56th Virginia Infantry: The 56th stood next to the 28th Virginia in Pickett's Brigade

Left: The 8th Virginia Infantry:  This 8th Virginia flag includes battle honors from First Manassas to Sharpsburg (Antietam).  The Gaines' Mill battle honor can be seen on the left of the flag.
Right: The 18th Virginia Infantry: The 18th Virginia, part of Pickett's Brigade, crashed into Dan Butterfield's positions on the far left of the Union line.

Please visit the Museum of the Confederacy at their website - www.moc.org.   All images presented here are from the Museum of the Confederacy's collection and should not be repurposed without their expressed approval.