Washington’s Commander-in-Chief or

Headquarters Flag

Possibly 1775 not later than 1777

Upon assuming command of the Continental Army in June of 1775, General Washington followed the tradition of European commanders, flying a personal flag where he was present.  The original flag is now in the archives of Museum of the American Revolution.  Having been dated to the late 1770’s, it may be the oldest flag with 13 stars.

The flag can be seen in two period paintings, “Battle of Princeton” by William Mercer and “Surrender of Yorktown” by Van Blarenberghe.  Both are eyewitness informed.  A similar flag appears in Charles Pale’s “Washington at The Battle of Princeton”, although the stars are arranged in a circle.  The Flag is made of light blue silk, similar to the sash worn by Washington and has 13 uniquely shaped six-point stars, like the ones appearing on his epilates in a couple of portraits.

Following the war, the Flag came into the possession of General Washington’s sister, Betty Lewis.  Three of her sons served with Washington.  It was passed down generationally and donated to the Valley Forge Historical Society, predecessor of the Museum of the American Revolution, in 1910. 

Sources

George Washington’s Mount Vernon. “Life Portraits of George Washington” Retrieved 4 June 2023 from https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/artwork/life-portraits-of-george-washington/#-

Graphic Arts Collection, “Moving the Battle of Princeton” Princeton University (January 2017) From https://graphicarts.princeton.edu/2017/01/25/moving-the-battle-of-princeton/

Museum of the American Revolution. “Siege and Surrender” Retrieved 3 June 2023 from https://americanhistory.si.edu/american-revolution/yorktown-triumph-alliance/siege-and-surrender 

Museum of the American Revolution. “Washington's Headquarters Flag” Retrieved 30 May 2023 from https://www.amrevmuseum.org/collection/washington-s-headquarters-flag

Very special thanks to Aimee Newell, Director of Collections and Exhibits at the Museum of the American Revolution, for the helpful information..