9-star First National Confederate Flag. Original red and white cotton-silk (weft/warp) machine-sewn stripes. Navy blue canton with 9 painted gold-gilt stars. Accompanied by an old note of provenance and a copy of a photograph depicting the 69th Ohio Infantry that was retained by Captain Charles Gibbs' descendants. Overall the flag measures ~67 3/4 x ~101 inches overall. Canton measures ~40 x ~44 inches.

A remarkably well-documented First National Confederate flag captured in Nashville, Tennessee by Captain Charles Gibbs of the 69th Ohio Infantry. This flag is published in the authoritative work "Civil War Flags of Tennessee," color plate 118, pp. 400-401 (University of Tennessee Press, 2020).

In September of 1861, at 36 years old, Charles Gibbs earned a commission in Company "B" of the 69th Ohio, mustering in on December 31st, 1861. After organization, the regiment moved south, and served in Nashville from June 29th to July 31st, 1862. It was during this period Captain Gibbs took his prize. In an accompanying note of provenance that describes the flag's capture, it is noted that Gibbs was with "only 3 men of his camp," and surprised a group of Confederates who refused to offer their colors. After pressure, it was revealed "under the attic floor."

Excitingly, an August 13th 1862 article in "The Nashville Daily Union" actually describes this flag's capture: "On last Monday Captain Gibbs of the Sixty-ninth Ohio, on information given them searched the grocery of Mr. Buddeke on Market street, and found a large and elegant rebel flag, which formerly belonged to one of the rebel companies of this place, concealed in the upper story of the building." The old note of provenance included in this this lot corroborates this account on most points, including the hidden attic location. However, the account mistakenly attests to 5 stars and that the flag was captured in 1864.

The regiment or company this flag belonged to was evidently not known either to Gibbs' descendants or the Nashville reporter. However, John H. Buddeke (1808-1887), the owner of the grocery where the flag was captured, may have been providing quarters to a local unit. Buddeke's wife, Mary Jane Ratterman Buddeke (1816-1879), is documented as having served on a committee that presented a flag to a local Confederate company, the "Marion Guards." Whether this was their flag or not remains a mystery. Tantalizingly, the remnants of gold gilt on the flag's canton does suggest a company sobriquet was once present.

After his brief service in Teneessee, Gibbs resigned on 13 August 1862 and returned to Dayton, Ohio with his relic. The flag resided on exhibition for decades at Newcom Tavern in Dayton, Ohio, and was recently professionally restored and conserved. A complete conservation and condition report is available upon request.

Provenance: Captured by Charles Gibbs, Co. B, 69th Ohio Infantry; thus by descent to Gary Delscamp, Kettering, Ohio (purchased 44 years ago from Gibbs' descendants).