American Historical Ephemera and Photography Featuring the Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann

Four separate sections from a painted fabric flag of the 13th New York State Militia. Upper riband in two parts, total length 49 1/2 in., reading "13th Regt. I[n]fantry. N.G.S.NY." (small section lacking with "n" in "infantry");  approx. 21 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. spread-wing American eagle perched upon a dome or helmet; approx. 39 1/2 x 29 in. State Seal of New York with riband reading "Excelsior," all mounted in original configuration on modern blue cloth and in 61 3/8 x 51 1/5 in. modern gilt frame. Brass plaque reads: "'National Grays' / Brooklyn, N.Y. / 1861, 1862, 1863." Provenance: The Horse Soldier, Gettysburg, PA (original listing).

The 13th New York State Militia was organized by Colonel Abel Smith at the beginning of the war and served three separate 3-month terms. They were first mustered in with eight companies on 23 April 1862 and sailed on the Marion to Annapolis where they guarded railroads and had garrison service in Baltimore. They were mustered out in Brooklyn, having lost 5 to disease. Many veterans enlisted in the 85th New York Infantry. The second term, 28 May-12 September 1862, saw service in Washington, D.C. and Suffolk, VA as part of the VII Army Corps. The last term saw the regiment mustered in on 20 June 1863 and attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Department Susquehanna, with whom they saw an engagement near Fort Washington, PA. Their final mustering out occurred on 21 July 1863 in Brooklyn.