CEDAR CREEK RIFLES

History

Cedar Creek Rifles. Capt. John B. Harrison’s name is painted on this silk flag which is completely in tatters. The Cedar Creek Rifles were Company A, 6th SCVI, however when the 6th was accepted into Confederate service most of the men apparently declined to enlist at that time. A number of them are known to have enlisted into Company C, 12th SCVI in the spring of 1862. “Down with Tyrants” was the motto of the company. In our collection since the 1940’s.

Description/Condition

Flag is in pieces in a box, but we have an early 1900’s photo that would make it easier to repair.  A sketch was made of what the flag is supposed to have looked like.  It was 46” W and 64” L, with a 4 ½” gold fringe on the end and the bottom, made of blue silk with silver embroidery along the fringed sides.  The image was painted in oil on both sides.  On the obverse, a star is at the top with a banner “Down with Tyrants” above a circular motif with a palmetto tree and maritime scene.  Below the center a two-ended spear has a red swag draped over it with “Cedar Creek Rifles, 1861” above a banner with “Captain John Harrison.”  On the reverse, there are 15 small stars at the top above a banner “Victory or Death” above a medallion with Victory standing over a prone body (obscured).  Below the medallion, a two-ended spear has a swag draped over it, with “Cedar Creek Rifles, 1861” and “Captain John Harrison” below the fringe of the swag.