US Cavalry Regimental Guidons

By Crusader1307

As we have seen, The Guidon was a type of Flag that evolved from The Middle Ages – and was used to mark the Positions of Soldiers on a Battlefield. This was especially important with the advent of Gunpowder (which, coupled with Artillery – could completely envelope a Formation with smoke). Such Flags were ideal for marking a Formation. Guidons were smaller Flags (similar to Pennants), which likewise marked the Positions of Cavalry Units. During The American Civil War, Federal Cavalry Units used a standard type of Cavalry Guidon to identify “Federalized” Regiments (mostly developed from Volunteer Militias). Made in The “Swallow-Tail” pattern (a split end located by The Fly of the Flag), such Guidons were based on The United States National Colors (6 White Stripes and 7 Red). The Upper Left Canton was Blue, with the arrangement of The 33 remaining States of The Union placed into a circular pattern. Mostly colored Gold, some versions were made with White Stars.  Often, the name of The Unit was embroidered into The Stripes. These Guidons would be carried along with The White and Red Pennant (also a Swallow-Tail), which identified the numerical identifier of The Cavalry Regiment. The style would continue well past The Civil War of 1861-65, into The Indian Wars and into The Spanish-American Conflict of the late 1890s. By World War I, such Guidons were discontinued in lieu of full National Colors being carried.