Company “D” of the 1st Alabama Infantry Regiment Battle Flag

In 1859, due to political unrest in the United States and the looming threat of civil war, the people of Perote in Bullock County Alabama raised a militia unit and was known as the Perote Guards. The uniforms and company flag were hand-made by the ladies of Perote and presented to the men on the steps of Perote’s Methodist Church. In the Summer of 1861, the Perote Guards traveled to Pensacola Florida, and became company “D” the 1st Alabama Infantry which had already been organized in February and March of 1861. The 1st Alabama numbering about 1000 men remained in Pensacola on duty for a year mainly manning the batteries there until they were sent to defend Island No. 10 which was a small fortified island near New Madrid Missouri on a double bend in the Mississippi river. It was held by Confederate forces totaling around 7000 men. Island No. 10 was a position on the river that allowed Confederate forces to impede Union efforts to invade the south via the Mississippi river. Before being ordered to Island No. 10, the Perote Guards were issued a regimental flag and their company flag was taken up and given to the quartermaster for safekeeping. The Battle of Island No. 10 was fought from February, 28th – April 8th, 1862 as Union forces numbering some 23,000 men, 6 gunboats, and 11 mortar rafts compelled the Confederate defenders to surrender as a result of the bombardment. The Perote Guards’ company flag was found by the 15th Wisconsin Infantry and eventually taken back to Wisconsin where it remained in storage until 1905 when it was returned to Alabama by a joint resolution of the Wisconsin state legislature. The original flag is currently in the possession of the Alabama State Archives.

This is a reproduction of the Perote Guards flag. The actual dimensions are not exactly the same as the original flag. The artwork is visible on both sides. The lettering reads right on one side only.