[CIVIL WAR] Regimental Flag Fragments & Soldier's Letter, 3rd Mass. Cavalry

About Auction

Live

Day 3: The American Civil War: Gettysburg & M...

By Fleischer's Auctions

Oct 11, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-10-11 09:00:00 2025-10-11 09:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Day 3: The American Civil War: Gettysburg & More https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/fleischers-auctions/day-3-the-american-civil-war-gettysburg-more-19251
Featuring rare artifacts, documents, ephemera, photography, and weaponry relating to the American Civil War. The catalog's emphasis is the Battle of Gettysburg and includes offerings from the collection of noted Gettysburg scholar, Marshall D. Krolick. Fleischer's Auctions info@fleischersauctions.com

View Full Catalog (359)

• Lot Description

  "Enclosed I send a piece of our old flag - the one I have carried many miles."

   

  Autograph letter signed by Edward W. Pierce, 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry. New Orleans, Louisiana, 29 February 1864. 4 pages, 8vo.

   

  WITH Four (4) silk flag fragments. Two with gold gilt printed stars. Machine stitched. Largest approx. 6 3/8 x 2 1/2 in. Smallest approx. 1 1/2  x 1 1/8 in.

   

  Writing home to his mother, Pierce writes of the new flag that the regiment had been gifted: "We had a General Review last Saturday of all the cavalry & artillery at this place by Gen. Banks and the ladies from New York, who are stopping at this place, presented our division with a splendid cavalry flag. Not long since the ladies from Massachusetts who are stopping at this City presented our brigade with a flag."

   

  Thanks to the new flag, he separated the regiment's old flag, sharing it among his comrades and reserving four pieces for himself, which were enclosed and now included here: "Enclosed I send a piece of our old flag - the one I have carried many miles. It is now badly used up and I am going to give a small piece to each of the boys as we have got a new one. I have turned the honor of carrying it over to Sergt. Bates. I cannot, as I am Orderly Sergeant. With this, I shall send a record of our company - one for you, one for Annie, one for Grandfather and the last for me. Shall send mine in your name. If you will get a frame for them, I will send the money as soon as paid. Shall want to show mine to my grandchildren you know...I had seventy five struck off so to let each man in the company have one and four for myself. They were got by your humble servant."

   

  Edward Pierce enlisted on 4 June 1862 as a sergeant, mustering into Company K of the 41st Massachusetts Infantry. From the regimental history published in 1903: "Pierce was one of the youngest officers of the regiment. On account of gallantry and meritorious conduct, he rose from the ranks and was commissioned to command." The regiment was converted to cavalry in mid-June 1863 and designated the 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry. Pierce continued to rise through the ranks, promoted to sergeant major on 1 October 1864 and commissioned second lieutenant on 7 August 1864. For a time, he served as acting Adjutant and held brief command of both Companies H and G.

   

  The 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry had fought at the Siege of Port Hudson, the Defenses of New Orleans, and various raids in the Department of the Gulf. Shortly after this letter, it left New Orleans and joined the Red River Campaign. In the late summer, the regiment moved east to Fortress Monroe before joining Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign.

   

  Remarkably, a tintype portrait of Pierce in a NCO uniform is extant (not included) shows him posed next to a flag that may be the very stars and stripes that remain now in fragments.

   

  Incredible flag relics with the original letter sent home by a soldier acutely aware of the legacy of his service.

   

  [Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]

  Condition

  Request Condition Report

  Each of the 4 flag fragments is encased in plastic, enclosed on all edges by tape. Not examined out of enclosures. Each with significant fraying. Adhesive does not appear to touch the fragments themselves. One gilt star appears to have smal repairs or reinforcements

   

  Some brown spotting on second leaf (pp. 3 & 4) of letter.

• Shipping Info

  • Fleischer’s Auctions packages and ships most items in-house. Consideration is made to ensure the lowest rate charged possible while still meeting our package safety standards. Large items and large framed pieces may not be able to be packaged and shipped in-house, these items will be marked in the catalog as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service. Bidders that are successful in winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third-party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio. Once an item is dropped off and no longer in our possession, Fleischer’s Auctions is not to be held liable for the item’s safe handling or shipment to the successful bidder.

• Payment & Auction Policies

  • Available payment options

    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
• Buyer's Premium
  • 25.00 %