Bedford Flag
Encyclopedia
The Bedford Flag is the oldest known flag in the United States
. It was supposedly borne by the Bedford Minuteman Company and might have flown at the North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts
, on April 19, 1775. Its history is controversial. The flag is commonly believed to be the inspiration for the first stanza in Ralph Waldo Emerson
's Concord Hymn
which opens:
The flag is made of crimson silk
damask
with the design painted on. The painted image was made slightly different on the two sides, with the Latin motto Vince Aut Morire ("Conquer Or Die") reading from top to bottom on one side and from bottom to top on the other. This is similar to the Vincere Vel Mori mottos of the Scottish Clan Macdowall
and Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie
. Furthermore, the sword which appears behind the motto on one side, appears in front of it on the other side.
The exact age and origin of the flag are not known, but physical and historical evidence are consistent with a date early in the 18th century. At one point, because of its heraldic similarity to another flag made for another Massachusetts cavalry unit in the 1660s, historians thought that the Bedford flag might actually be that earlier flag. However, spectroscopic analysis of the paint used on the emblem revealed the pigment called “Prussian blue”, which did not exist before 1704. The Bedford Minutemen Company were part of the Middlesex
Regiment.
There is, however, no proof, either from testimonies, depositions or diaries written around April 19, 1775, or even in memoirs written years later by any participants that day, mentioning any such flag flown that day by either side. The sole exception is that of Lt. Barker of the British expedition to Concord, who noted a liberty pole with a cap and an unknown flag on it, standing on a hill before Concord center. The British grenadiers chopped it down and destroyed the flag and pole. This was hours before Bedford's militiamen arrived outside Concord, far to the west of this hill. The first mention of the "Bedford flag" does not come until the Centennial celebrations of 1875. Its claim to connections with the events of April 19, 1775 are therefore dubious at best.
Whatever its provenance and history, the flag is still on display in the Bedford Free Public Library
in Bedford, Massachusetts
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was supposedly borne by the Bedford Minuteman Company and might have flown at the North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts
Concord, Massachusetts
Concord is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 17,668. Although a small town, Concord is noted for its leading roles in American history and literature.-History:...
, on April 19, 1775. Its history is controversial. The flag is commonly believed to be the inspiration for the first stanza in Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American essayist, lecturer, and poet, who led the Transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century...
's Concord Hymn
Concord Hymn
"Concord Hymn" is an 1837 poem by American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson. It was written for a memorial to the Battles of Lexington and Concord.-Background:...
which opens:
- By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
- their flag to April's breeze unfurled...
The flag is made of crimson silk
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
damask
Damask
Damask is a reversible figured fabric of silk, wool, linen, cotton, or synthetic fibers, with a pattern formed by weaving. Damasks are woven with one warp yarn and one weft yarn, usually with the pattern in warp-faced satin weave and the ground in weft-faced or sateen weave...
with the design painted on. The painted image was made slightly different on the two sides, with the Latin motto Vince Aut Morire ("Conquer Or Die") reading from top to bottom on one side and from bottom to top on the other. This is similar to the Vincere Vel Mori mottos of the Scottish Clan Macdowall
Clan MacDowall
Clan Macdowall is a Scottish clan. The clan claims to descend from the senior descendants in the male line of the princely house of Fergus, first of the ancient Lords of Galloway...
and Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie
Clan MacLaine of Lochbuie
Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie is a Scottish Clan that inhabited lands on the southern end of the Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides of the western Scottish Highlands. "Maclaine" is an alternate spelling for "MacLean." Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie and Clan MacLean of Duart are two separate clans...
. Furthermore, the sword which appears behind the motto on one side, appears in front of it on the other side.
The exact age and origin of the flag are not known, but physical and historical evidence are consistent with a date early in the 18th century. At one point, because of its heraldic similarity to another flag made for another Massachusetts cavalry unit in the 1660s, historians thought that the Bedford flag might actually be that earlier flag. However, spectroscopic analysis of the paint used on the emblem revealed the pigment called “Prussian blue”, which did not exist before 1704. The Bedford Minutemen Company were part of the Middlesex
182nd Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 182nd Infantry Regiment shares the distinction of being the oldest regiment in the United States Army. The regiment traces its history more than 370 years, when it was a colonial regiment of foot of the British Crown in Massachusetts...
Regiment.
There is, however, no proof, either from testimonies, depositions or diaries written around April 19, 1775, or even in memoirs written years later by any participants that day, mentioning any such flag flown that day by either side. The sole exception is that of Lt. Barker of the British expedition to Concord, who noted a liberty pole with a cap and an unknown flag on it, standing on a hill before Concord center. The British grenadiers chopped it down and destroyed the flag and pole. This was hours before Bedford's militiamen arrived outside Concord, far to the west of this hill. The first mention of the "Bedford flag" does not come until the Centennial celebrations of 1875. Its claim to connections with the events of April 19, 1775 are therefore dubious at best.
Whatever its provenance and history, the flag is still on display in the Bedford Free Public Library
Bedford Free Public Library
The Bedford Free Public Library is a public library in Bedford, Massachusetts.-External links:* http://www.bedfordlibrary.net/* . Posts about the library...
in Bedford, Massachusetts
Bedford, Massachusetts
Bedford is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. It is within the Greater Boston area, north-west of the city of Boston. The population of Bedford was 13,320 at the 2010 census.- History :...
.