of stars, emblazoned thereon, with the desig- 

 nation of the body of troops (see 22). 



In 1834 War Department regulations gave 

 the artillery the right to carry the Stars and 

 Stripes. The infantry still used the design of 

 22 until 1841, and the cavalry until 1887, when 

 that branch of the army was ordered to carry 

 the Stars and Stripes. The history of the flag 

 indicates that the Stars and Stripes were not 

 officially carried by troops in battle until the 

 period of the Mexican War, 1846- 1847. 



THE ARMY FLAGS 



The flags used by the United States Army 

 to designate its several branches are divided 

 into two classes — colors and standards. The 

 colors are used by unmounted troops and the 

 standards by mounted forces. The principal 

 difference between them is that the standards 

 are smaller and have no cords and tassels, be- 

 cause large flags and cords and tassels would 

 hinder the movements of the mounted stand- 

 ard-bearer. 



Every regiment of engineers, artillery, infan- 

 try, cavalry, etc., is supplied with one silk na- 

 tional standard or color (17) and one silk 

 regimental standard or color (11, 13, 15, 18, etc.). 



The silk national and regimental colors or 

 standards are carried in battle, campaign, and 

 on all occasions of ceremony at regimental 

 headquarters in which two or more companies 

 of the regiment participate. 



The official designation of the regiment is 

 engraved on a silver band placed on the pike 

 or lance. 



When not in use, colors and standards are 

 kept in their waterproof cases. 



In garrison the standards or colors, when 

 not in use, are kept in the office or quarters of 

 the colonel and are escorted thereto and there- 

 from by the color guard. In camp the colors 

 or standards, when not in use, are displayed 

 in front of the colonel's tent, the national color 

 or standard on the right. From reveille to re- 

 treat, when the weather permits, they are un- 

 cased; from retreat to reveille and during in- 

 clement weather they are cased. 



In action the position of the standards or 

 colors will be indicated by the colonel, who 

 may, through their display, inspire enthusiasm 

 and maintain the morale. He may, however, 

 hold them back when they might indicate to 

 the enemy the direction of the main attack, 

 betray the position of the main body, or tend 

 to commit the regiment to defensive action. 

 In the presence of the enemy and during the 

 "approach" the standards are carried cased, 

 ready to be instantly broken out if their in- 

 spiration is required. 



In addition to the handsome silk -flags, a 

 national color or standard made of bunting or 

 other suitable material, but in all other re- 

 spects similar to the silk national color or 

 standard, is furnished to each battalion or 

 squadron of each regiment. 



These colors and standards are for use at 

 drills and on marches, and on all service other 

 than battles, campaigns, and occasions of cere- 

 mony. Not more than one national color or 

 standard is carried when the regiment or any 

 part of it is assembled. 



The colors of a regiment will not be placed 

 in mourning or draped, except when ordered 

 from the War Department. Two streamers of 

 crape 7 feet long and about 12 inches wide at- 

 tached to the ferrule below the spearhead will 

 be used for the purpose. 



The names and dates of battles in which 

 regiments or separate battalions have partici- 

 pated are engraved on silver bands and placed 

 on the pike of the colors or lance of the stand- 

 ard of the regiment or separate battalion, as 

 the case may be. For this purpose only the 

 names of those battles which conform to the 

 following definition are considered, viz: Bat- 

 tles are important engagements between inde- 

 pendent armies in their own theaters of war, 

 in contradistinction to conflicts in which but a 

 small portion of the opposing forces are actu- 

 ally engaged, the latter being called, according 

 to their nature, affairs, combats, skirmishes, 

 and the like. 



The names and dates of battles which it is 

 proposed to have engraved on the silver bands 

 are submitted to the War Department, which 

 decides each case on its merits. 



At least two companies, troops, or batteries 

 of a regiment or separate battalion must have 

 participated in a battle in order that the name 

 of the battle may be placed on its colors or 

 standards. 



A company, troop, or battery does not re- 

 ceive credit for having participated in a battle 

 unless at least one-half of its actual strength 

 was engaged. 



The Adjutant General of the Army furnishes 

 each company, troop, and battery with a suit- 

 ably engrossed certificate setting forth the 

 names of all battles, engagements, and minor 

 affairs in which said company, troop, or bat- 

 tery participated, with the dates thereof, and 

 showing, as nearly as may be, the organiza- 

 tions of the United States troops engaged 

 therein, and against what enemy. This cer- 

 tificate states that the names and dates of these 

 battles are engraved on silver bands on the 

 pike of the colors of the regiment or battalion, 

 or the lance of the standard of the regiment 

 or battalion, as the case may be, excepting in 

 the case of companies which have no regi- 

 mental or battalion organization. 



This certificate is suitably framed and kept 

 posted in the barracks of the company, troop, 

 or battery. 



Whenever in the opinion of a commanding 

 officer the condition of any silk color, stand- 

 ard, or guidon in the possession of his com- 

 mand has become unserviceable, the same is 

 forwarded to the depot quartermaster, Phila- 

 delphia, Pa., for repair, if practicable. Should 

 it be found that its condition does not warrant 

 the expenditure of funds that may be involved, 

 the depot quartermaster returns to the officer 

 from whom received and furnishes a new 

 color, standard, or guidon. 



Upon receipt of new silk colors, standards, 

 or guidons, commanding officers cause those 

 replaced to be numbered and retained by the 

 organization to which they belong as mementos 

 of service, a synopsis of which, bearing the 

 same number, will be filed with the records of 

 the organization. 



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