Like all regiments in the Civil War, the 49th Missouri carried flags, in their case a U.S National Flag and a regimental flag. The state of Missouri collected flags from the regiments that served shortly after the Civil War and has maintained them ever since.
The blue regimental flag, which measures 73 inches wide by 70 1/2 ” inches tall was probably made by the US Army’s New York Quartermaster Depot. These mass-produced flags had “Regiment” and “Infantry” already painted on them, but left a spot blank where the number and state could be placed. However, like many regiments, the 49th apparently never put their name on their flag.
The US flag carried by the 49th, which was 74 1/2 inches wide by 71 inches tall, was made at the Army’s Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot.
Its interesting to note that the regimental flag has 35 stars while the US flag has only 34, which could be accounted for by the additional of new states over the course of the war.
Photos and information courtesy of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri State Museum.