American Historical Ephemera and Photography Online

16 3/4 x 26 1/2 in. glazed cotton parade flag with 48 stars arranged in offset rows, which was not the official 48-star configuration imposed by President Taft, and is usually present on those flags that date to 1913 and prior. Overprinted in the field, in black ink, is the following text: "W.L. Baker Post No. 86, Dept. of Mass., G.A.R." (Very good condition, colors remain vibrant, toning, few scattered spots). Matted and framed, 25 x 31 in. overall.

Post No. 86 was located in Northampton, MA, the future home of Smith college, very near the western edge of the Berkshires. Posts were typically named after a soldier who fought gallantly, was a valiant leader, or had a particularly endearing story. There were two soldiers who could have fit this name and served in Massachusetts regiments. Walter L. Baker fought with the 7th Independent Battery of the Massachusetts Light Artillery. William L. Baker fought with the 38th Regiment of the Massachusetts Infantry. Both men mustered in and out as privates. No further information has been determined about the namesake of this particular post.