Bridgeman Flags
"The Sentiment of the old soldier for the flag of his regiment cannot be described. The bond that fastens soldiers together in its peculiar strength and steadfast firmness is represented by the flag. In battle, it is the symbol of the courage and honor of those who follow it. The soldier will desert the wounded and dying comrade to go with it to certain death, and where it will be passed from one dying grasp to another, and then another, and then still another, so long as a single star or a single stripe or thread of silk remanins, or until the last drop of blood has been spilled. It is to him the glory and majesty of his country. It is the emblem of his native land."
Issac H. Elliot, Colonel of the 33rd Illinois
My avid love for history began as a child growing up listening to the courageous family stories of duty, honor, battle, and flags during the American Civil War. This love for history has found expression in my reproduction of historical flags for museums, theatre, and reenacting organizations.
In the age of telecommunications, few people may realize the importance of a 19th century battle flag. Not only the rallying point for millions of soldiers; these tattered and torn banners became the very souls of the regiments. I have dedicated my talents and energies to the recreation of banners of the Confederacy and the Federal troops, embodying the gallantry and valor of millions of Ameicans during the Civil War. It is important to me that the valor of the color bearers and honor of the regiments should not be forgotten or erased from our collective memory. Recreating the colors of these regiments enable our young people to gaze and ponder on our history, reminding all of us, young and old alike, that during this time men felt so inspired by a cause for freedom that they were willing to walk into the jaws of death to defend it.
With this aim in mind, I have reproduced colors used in the reenactments for the 135th Anniversary of Gettysburg, 135th Anniversary of Antietam, Shiloh, and many other reenactments and engagements of North and South. I have completed museum quality reproductions for the Indiana War Memorials and the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The sheer pleasure of recreating these flags does not come from payment for these reproductions! It comes from knowing that a future generation will have the opportunity to experience these glorious banners and learn of the valor of regimental color bearers, regiments, and the preservation of freedom.
I have the capability of recreating museum quality reproductions in silk or cotton. I am also interested in recreating high quality banners for reenactors. Due to the nature of this business, half payment must accompany the flag order. Work will not begin without this first payment. At anytime during the production of the flag if the purchaser decides to decline the flag, then the flag and half payment revert to the seller. Thorough research and documentation are part of the flag reproduction process. I am able to work from original flags, photographs, or original designs.
Russell D. Bridgeman
Bridgeman Flags
33rd Indiana......33rd Virginia
Here are some of the flags that I have done
The following flags are on display in the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana.
32nd Indiana Infantry, "1st German"
47th Indiana Infantry
1st Indiana Cavalry
Museum Display of Several Flags
The following flags are on display in the Indiana War Memorial Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana.
2nd Indiana Infantry
10th Indiana Artillery
Close Detail of the 10th Indiana flag
Other Flags
Confederate 1st National flag
33rd Virginia Infantry
7th Kentucky Infantry (CS)
33rd Indiana Infantry
Close Detail of the 33rd Indiana flag
35th Indiana Infantry, "1st Irish"
Detail of the 35th Indiana flag
Close Detail of the 35th Indiana flag
19th Indiana Infantry
For more information concerning the purchase of a Bridgeman Flag, email:
bridgeman33rd@hotmail.com
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This page was last updated on
December 19, 2000
This site maintained by Aaron Rambo