Description

1876 COMMANDER IN CHIEF GUARDS FLAG. Rare flag for George Washington’s elite secret security guard unit set up specifically to guard him during The Revolutionary War. Today’s version of The Secret Service. This flag dates to the Centennial held in Philadelphia in 1876 which held patriotic events and parades to salute George Washington. The flag is made of heavy weight satin with gold fringe. It has single line treadle stitching. Sleeve hoist. The Units design is hand painted on both sides in the center of the flag. The condition overall is good. It has areas of silk cracking and some splits. Some light discolorations in areas. A few small holes. ~ Rare Commander-in-Chief Guards Flag Silk/heavy satin hand painted flag of Washington’s elite personal body guards. Circa 1876 During the Centennial all flag from the Revolutionary War were created for display and parades. General George Washington created an elite unit of the Continental Army in March, 1776. Known as the Commander-in-Chief Guards, or C-in-C Guards for short, these men were selected to be the general’s personal guard, to protect himself, baggage, and records of the war. General Washington requested drilled men, selected for their sobriety, honesty, and good behavior. They were five feet eight inches-five feet ten inches tall, “handsomely and well made,” and “clean and spruce.” Washington selected Captain Caleb Gibbs of the 14th Massachusetts Continental Regiment to command the Guard. He chose his nephew, George Lewis, as Lieutenant. He entrusted these two men with the details of organizing the unit. Unfortunately, the first detailed account of the C-in-C Guards involved a plot to assassinate General Washington. The plot involved several New York Tories including Mayor David Matthews, and C-in-C Guards Sergeant Thomas Hickey, drummer William Green, fifer James Johnson, and privates John Barnes and Michael Lynch. The C-in-C Guards had their own distinctive uniforms. They were blue and buff with red waistcoats. Instead of the traditional tricorn hats, they wore leather helmets with a bear skin crest and white plume tipped in blue on the left side. The uniforms had pewter buttons marked USA. As far as is known, the C-in-C Guards were the first unit to use the letters USA. General Washington often used the C-in-C Guards as light infantry. They often proved their worth in the line of battle. The enemy armies saw soldiers as well trained and uniformed as any in Europe. Rarity Rating: On our authentic antique American Flags. Rated on a scale of 1 to 10 10 being the most rare. This item rates a [ 5 ] [ 1 ] Rated items are our lowest price items. [ 10 ] Rated items are rare to very rare & priced accordingly. Please refer to item number when requesting info. Please email for price and shipping cost. Sizes are listed below the item number. Each flag comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. Please view flag on a laptop or desktop PC for the best images. We only sell authentic genuine antique American Flags. All framed flags have high quality professional museum, framing, wood frames, all acid free, w/UV acrylic protection. Please refer to item number when requesting Pricing. Thank you for your interest. Shipping to 48 States only. Shipping by FedEx Ground or FedEx Home Delivery. White glove shipping for large flags.