Terrys Texas Rangers Flag 35;5 2-Ply Polyester

Terry;s 8th Texas Cavalry Heavy-Duty Sewn Polyester Battle FlagHistory of the 8th Texas CavalryBetter known as Terry;s Texas Rangers, the 8th Texas Cavalry was organized in August of 1861 by Colonel Benjamin Franklin Terry, recruiting 1170 men from the Texas counties of Houston, Richmond, Columbus, Gonzales, Wharton, and Bastrop. The regiment was mustered into the Confederate Army on September 9th, 1861. Its 1st commanding officer was Colonel Benjamin Franklin Terry who was killed in action during their 1st engagement on December 8th, 1861 at the battle of Woodsonville, Kentucky. The regiment kept the ;Terry;s Texas Rangers; designation throughout the Civil War in memory of Colonel Terry. Terry;s Texas Rangers quickly distinguished itself as one of the most effective fighting cavalry units in the Civil War on either side and participated in approximately 275 battles and skirmishes across seven states, including Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Perryville, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, and the four months long Atlanta campaign. The 8th Texas carried at least three (possibly more) battle flags during their four years of service in the Confederate Army. This particular flag was the 8th Texas; first battle flag inspired by the Bonnie Blue flag except with the large white star pointing downward as was the preferred placement of the star by Texans in those days. ;Terry;s Texas Rangers; was inscribed in yellow-gold lettering across the top separated by the two upward-facing points of the star. Terry;s Texas Rangers is probably the only Texas regiment to carry a true Bonnie Blue Flag. Unfortunately, the flag was either lost or captured during one of the early battles or skirmishes of the war and had to be replaced. Eliza Groce and Annie Jefferson of Hempstead Texas upon hearing of the lost flag decided to sew a new flag for the Rangers and sent it to them. The replacement flag was a standard battle flag pattern with the center star being larger than the other twelve, which was intended to represent Texas. This was a common practice with homemade battle flags for Texas regiments. The replacement flag was carried for the next two years amid heavy fighting until it became too battle-worn to use any longer. So after the fall of Atlanta, two ladies from Nashville Tennessee, Mary Melver and Robbie Woodruff made them their Hardee-style flag which they carried throughout the remainder of the war. The 8th Texas participated in the last significant cavalry action against Union troops at Bentonville, South Carolina on March 21st, 1865 where it, along with the 4th Tennessee cavalry engaged in a rearguard charge while defending Joseph Johnston;s remaining army as it withdrew from the field after being defeated by Sherman at the Battle of Bentonville. Just before General Johnston surrendered the Army of Tennessee at Durham Station, North Carolina on April 26th, 1865, 158 of the surviving 248 members of the regiment managed to slip through Union lines and joined other Confederate forces still in the field. After the complete collapse of the Confederacy, most of the remaining men of the 8th Texas Cavalry simply made their way back home having never officially surrendered. There were more cavalry soldiers from Texas than any other state and they were well known for their equestrian skill and bravery. The 8th Texas Cavalry certainly made a significant contribution to this reputation.This flag is a reproduction of the Bonnie Blue-style battle flag of the 8th Texas Cavalry and is designed to look as much like the original flag that was carried into battle by the 8th Texas Cavalry as possible. The exact size and materials are not the same as the original flag.Made of 2-ply polyester which is the most durable option for those who fly their flag 24/7. This flag features beautifully embroidered lettering that reads correctly on both sides of the flag and a large white applique star outlined with a heavy bead of embroidery.Heavy duty constructionFade-resistantSewn panels and embroidered starsHeavy canvas header with brass grommets4 rows of stitching on the fly end to prevent premature frayingFlag size 3;x5;