Presentation Civil War 34 Star Flag, 31st Pennsylvania. in Fairfield, ME

This wonderful handmade silk flag measures 58" X 32", which includes a 1in applied silk fringe. This flag is in remarkable condition with bright colors as can be seen in photographs with a fifteen line ink inscription on the fly on 2 white stripes stating history, which is partially missing, due to wear and some text folded over. This flag is mounted in a very old frame and has not been taken out for further observations but appears to be attached to a backing board via tacking stitches around edges. The canton, made of blue silk, measures 16" X 23" and exhibits 2 circles of 1-3/4" stars, a central star 3-1/4" and four stars in each quadrant measuring 3". Stars are applied in gold paint much like regulation flags issued to the units. A 1 in red silk hoist retains three cloth attachments. The inscription in part can be read "made by my mother...and by them presented to see...Scotch Rifles which were...in the city at the...march...by the grea...expen...being borne...why my father...this company was raised d...suppressing the rebellion...the rifles carried it...a year and after losing...all their men, Captain Finnie...Commander sent the flag...to be treasured by the members. It was in several engagements." More research needs to be done on this wonderful flag. The inscription has a name of "John Struthers", who we guess wrote this, but we are not sure who John Struthers is. However, there is only 1 designation in the Union Army of Scotch Rifles, and that is Company E 31st Infantry (second Pennsylvania reserves). The Scotch Rifles were indeed commanded by Captain John Orr Finnie. The second Pennsylvania Reserves/the 31st Pennsylvania Volunteers was principally recruited in the city of Philadelphia and "on the 29th of May the Philadelphia companies were presented with a magnificent and richly trimmed silk flag, the gift of a number of ladies, the presentation being made by Daniel Dougherty and after the ceremonies concluded, proceeded by rail to Camp Washington, near the city of Easton". This quote was taken from an on-line web sitelisting the history of this hard fought unit which saw service in most of the battles fought by the Army of the Potomac including Mannasas, battles around Richmond, Fredricksburg, Antietam, Gettysburg, the Wilderness and Spotsylvania. Captain Finnie, named on this flag, was wounded and taken prisoner at the Battle of Gaines Mill on June 27, 1862. This unit lost four officers and 73 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded and three officers and 71 enlisted men to die of disease and other causes for total casualties of 151. This is a wonderful and important historical flag that should be conservation framed and preserved. CONDITION