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Flag at Fort McHenry (US historical flag)

Hugh Pickrel

Description of the flag
A second version
History of the flag at Fort McHenry

See also:

Description of the flag

I am interested in the American Flag that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814, and served as the focal point of Francis Scott Key's poetic efforts. The flag is currently in the possession of the Smithsonian Museum of American History.

The flag has 15 stars and 15 stripes. On the 10th stripe from the top in the approximate center is what appears to be an inverted "V." It might simply be an attempt to repair a tear.

Hugh Pickrel

Proportions: most of mine are based on a photograph of the actual flag in the Smithsonian collection (I have omitted the inverted V) or from the receipt to the flagmaker, which gives the dimensions as 30' x 42 3/4'.

Stars orientation: in the early days of the republic (pre-Civil War) it seems to have been fairly common to arrange the stars like this, in alternating columns oriented horizontally, rather than vertically as is the convention today.

"V" sign: I wouldn't be at all surprised if it meant something, as people in those days tended to be a lot more casual about decorating the flag with unit designations and battle honors and whatnot. And if it's a patch, why put a red patch on a white stripe?

Steve Jacquot

A second version

Another version of it:

T. W. Hall

History of the flag at Fort McHenry

I have learned a lot about the flag that flew over Fort McHenry, and thought that I would share what I have learned with you.

1813: Flag was commissioned by Major Armistead, commander of Fort McHenry. It was sewn by a Mrs. Pickeresgill of Baltimore. The flag was larger then. Armistead wanted a flag large enough for ships to see it from a distance.
1814: The battle occurred, and the flag won its glory. Armistead was promoted to Lt. Colonel by Madison, and given the flag when he retired.
1818: Armistead died, and legend says that the flag was used in his funeral. Afterwards, his daughter Georgiana Armistead retained possession of the flag.
1824: The flag was used in a reception for General Lafayette. Sometime afterwards, Georgiana gave the flag to her son, Even Appleton.
1860's: The flag, ironically, was sent to England for safe keeping during the Civil War.
June 24, 1873: The flag was displayed in the Charleston Naval Yards, and one of the first photographs was taken of it. The inverted red "V" was on it at that time.
1876: The flag was loaned to the Smithsonian for the Centenial Celebration.
1912: Even Appleton donated the flag to the Smithsonian.
1914: Almari Flowler was commissioned to replace the original "sack cloth" backing with linen.

The staggered row pattern of the stars was standard practice for Naval flags, and American flag appeared in many different designs and numbers of stripes and stars. It was not until 1818 that the design for the flag was standardized by act of Congress. A congressman by the name of Windemer introduced a bill to standardize the flag in 1816, but the bill did not pass until 1818-MAR-25. The law went into effect on 1818-APR-04.

The flag is of a smaller length than originally made because patches were cut from the end for souvenirs.

The red patch has a "B" embroidered on it. It is not known who sewed it there, and it has not been removed. It is the practice of the Smithsonian to keep artifacts in tact, and not take them apart. Legend has it that the patch covers the autograph of Lt. Colonel Armistead.

Sources of info:

Fort McHenry, Rangers Plowman and Sweadt
Norman G. Rukert, Fort McHenry: Home of the Brave: an illustrated history
Museum of Amer. History, Smithsonian, Joe Young - flags and banners specialist with the Armed Forces Division

Hugh Pickrel