General de Brigade

[DJB24124]

Can anybody point me in the direction of a web site that shows pictures of the above?
Thanks in advance,

DaveB.

[Cornet]

Here are a few resources, including pix. Really I just Googled this stuff, never having heard of the Gostelow flag(s) previously. Perhaps someone might edify.

Gostelow's Beaver

TMP discussion

Photo of flag and article cited in TMP discussion
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Then let us fill a bumper, and drink a health to those
Who carry caps and pouches, and wear the loup'ed clothes.

[Ezza]

Is this the one you are looking for;
http://www.tmealf.com/digital/digital_examples.htm

The flag is located about 3/4 of the way down the pages under the US - F/G/H section. The page also includes a few other AWI flags.

[Ezza]

On the subject of flags, there are quite a variety of American ones at;
http://www.fotw.net/flags/us%5Erv.html

[Cornet]

I'm still looking for some explanation of the Gostelow flags. What are they and what was their significance? There isn't much information about them online and I've only been able to trace the term back to Standards and Colors of the American Revolution by Edward Richardson. What's the underlying documentation for these flags and their use?

I am guessing that the colors are named for Jonathan Gostelow, a Commisary of Military Stores for the Continental Army. He also seems to have run a manufacturing concern which sold the army field drums. Making flags doesn't seem like an unreasonable leap from drums, both being 'command and control' equipment.
_________________
Then let us fill a bumper, and drink a health to those
Who carry caps and pouches, and wear the loup'ed clothes.

[DJB24124]

I have no idea as to why they have that name. The only Gostelow Google found for me was a cabinet maker.
I only ask because I have half a dozen militia units that will, eventuallly, need flags.
As usual I have bought some of Flags for the Lads' excellent flags, the only problem is that I am now a--e deep in rattlesnakes and I want something different, those that aren't snake infested are all indentifiable unit flags, Culpepper minutemen or something similar.
Anyone with any sensible ideas?

DaveB.

[Ronan the Librarian]

You need to spell Gostelowe with an "e" on the end.

If you go here, it shows one of them, and there's a further link showing all 13:-

http://www.11thpa.org/unit_flag.html

I believe they were either catalogued, or found in a warehouse (can't recall offhand what Richardson's book says). Quite possibly he either made them, or ordered them to be made. Most of the ones I've seen appear to have gone to Pennsylvania units - Continentals, not militia though. Militia tended to have their own flags made locally by their wives.
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You can lead a horse to water, but a toy soldier can no longer be lead (due to Health & Safety Regulations).

[DJB24124]

Ronan,

Just what I wanted.

Thanke youe.

DaveB.

[Cornet]

Comparing the Tarleton Specimen with Richardson's reconstructed design, I am left wondering why Richardson would have dispensed with a properly boxed off canton in a contrasting color, the convention of the time. I guess I'll have to find the text of Gostelowe's return and compare that to Richardson's reconstruction.

Insofar as inventorying flags that would never be used, that seems somewhat unlikely. Perhaps these inventoried flags were ready replacements for flags already in use. To me, the fact that Tarleton captured one suggests that most or all of the designs were fielded. When you're struggling to make shoes, cannon, and drums, why would you waste time and treasure on flags that only might be used?

Here's another link from Sotheby's that details the flag - Four Battleflags of the Revolution: Captured by Lt.-Col. Banastre Tarleton in 1779 and 1780, The Property of Capt. Christopher Tarleton Fagan
_________________
Then let us fill a bumper, and drink a health to those
Who carry caps and pouches, and wear the loup'ed clothes.