1863 Designs

~ History Reimagined ~
Historical & Illustrative Design
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06/15/2026

With the release of the new National Colors series, I figured showing you the regimental National Colors that went into the final poster and the ones that are ready for order on the store. If you’re wanting a regiment that’s not already listed in the options, go ahead and select “CUSTOM” and in the “CUSTOMIZATION” box please list the unit you’d like done. I will do my best to create the most accurate version I can from the surviving originals and/or their historical descriptions. If there are battle honors present on surviving originals I can absolutely add those too. What I won’t do is add battle honors that aren’t on the original or speculate as to what the original could’ve looked like. Basically if it’s not the flag that flew over the heads of the men fighting for it then I wont make it.
Hope you all enjoy this series! A lot of work went into this with both hand drawing state seals and eagles or hand drawing special fonts for the unit designations. All in the name to honor the men of 61 to 65.

06/14/2026

With today being flag day, I think it’s the perfect day to finally release my newest flag series! This has been several months in the making with research and design work to bring together as much as I could fit in the print spaces allowed. Links for each are in the comments below

Cantons of Freedom Apparel:
this shirt line features the series title around the gold eagle that’s on the obverse canton of the 4th USCT’s National Colors (figured that was very fitting). The back features the star arrangements of the three federal depots as well as the contractors that are featured on the poster version.

Army of the United States Federal Depot & Contract National Colors of the Civil War:
(Currently available for pre-order) This poster features 18 (3 depot and 10 contractor) authentic recreations of regimental National Colors as they appeared to the men that fought around them. Below each is the name affiliated and quick description to help you as you research your favorite units.

National Colors Stickers:
The official sticker series to go along with the poster where you can pick up each version of the flag styles AND/OR order a custom set of THREE of your favorite unit’s very own national colors. Now the custom option has some stipulations. I won’t recreate a flag unless there is some sort of surviving example or if I can find written evidence of its description. I also will only add the battle honors if the surviving flag has them or if there are written examples of what those battles honors were. As much as I would love to recreate every regimental National Color, I won’t create a false creation. I don’t think that does those men honor. All previously finished flags are available for single order in the options list.

Brigade Headquarters Flags:
These will strictly be custom order OR previously made in the option list as there are way too many to make at one time (9 minimum per corp).

This was a lot at once and if you made it this far, THANKS! This was a lot work and I truly hope you all enjoy!!

06/13/2026

How about another unit merch drop?!! This time for the 124th New York State Volunteers, Co B whom yours truly also happens to be a member of. These collab shirts feature a specially made revamp of the unit’s original design on the front and then the full battle honors treatment in the back! The back features a variant of the front design with Colonel Van Horne Ellis within the 1st Division, 3rd Corps badge. Flanking the units historical nickname “Orange Blossoms” and Major Cromwell’s famed July 2nd a1863 Gettysburg quote are recreation of the embroidered orange and Orange blossoms that appears on the canton of the 124th’s Tiffany flag (which will be available with a main unit logo in sticker form shortly)! These are available to showcase a great organization as well as providing you options to change the company to the unit’s sister company up in New York (Co H) or to have no company designation. Thank you for your support of the 124th New York Co B and our store!! Keep a clear eye for more coming soon!

05/29/2026

Cantons of Freedom

During the Civil War, the US National Colors seen carried by each and every Federal regiment varied greatly. This was due to the lack of exact standard regulations in regards to the canton and star arrangement on the National Colors. These are just the primary examples seen during the war from the army depots and contractors though many, many more made specially by the citizens of regimental hometowns, especially early in the war, saw field service. Stickers, posters, and apparel coming soon!

05/27/2026

Orders from last week and over the weekend including a few heading over to Ireland and the UK! Thanks for keeping me busy!

05/25/2026

Today we honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion
We thank and salute the fallen and hope their stories never fade

05/24/2026

“Remember Ellsworth”

Killed in Alexandria, Virginia after removing a Confederate National Flag from atop the Marshal House as the Federal army began its occupation of the town. A personal friend of President Lincoln and a national militia icon, “Remember Ellsworth” became one of the first battle cries for the northern war effort.

05/22/2026

The next addition to the Units Series, the Stonewall Brigade “Men of the Valley”. This famed brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia was originally commanded by Thomas J Jackson; “Stonewall Jackson” himself though he regularly stated that name belonged to the brigade and not to him. These men of the valley fought from First Manassas to Appomattox as well as in the Shenandoah Valley, their home, in 1862 and 1864. Being the nucleus of the Stonewall Division, they were the pride unit of their fallen commander and of Lee’s army.

This design features a stonier quality with a stonewall border with a keystone in each corner to represent the starting of the battle flags distinctive cross. In the middle are the mountain ranges that make up the Shenandoah (Allegheny, Massanutten, and Blue Ridge) with Jackson himself front and center based off the statue that used to be at VMI but now resides at the Virginia Museum of the Civil War at New Market.

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05/21/2026

UPDATE: Due to inclement weather this weekend, the festival has been postponed. Some indoor events are still happening but that does not include myself and the other outdoor vendors. When a new date is announced I’ll post here. In the mean time I am still hoping to set up a few more times this year. If you know of any craft fairs or festivals or similar events between Virginia and southern Pennsylvania let me know! Thanks!

Getting organized and prepped for Newtown Heritage Festival here in Stephens City on Saturday! Hopefully the rain isn’t too bad but for now we’re still a go. I’ll be set up starting at 10am! Hope to see you there!

05/20/2026

The newest addition to the Civil War 165 as we approach the anniversary of the death of Colonel Elmer Ellsworth. The Federal Eagle crowns a the federal shield containing a portrait of Colonel Ellsworth surrounded by 34 stars. This design is based on a period piece of patriotic letter art.

Prior to the war, Ellsworth gained national fame by training and drilling Zouave style militia units across the north. After the firing on Fort Sumter and President Lincoln’s call for 75,000 volunteers, Ellsworth raised the 11th New York Volunteers “the Fire Zouaves”. Ellsworth and some of his men could observe the large Confederate National flag raised above the Marshall House across the Potomac in Alexandria. The inn’s proprietor James Jackson claimed the flag would only come down over his dead body. Federal forces marched into Alexandria on May 24, 1861. Ellsworth and his men entered the inn, proceeded to the roof and cut down the flag. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Jackson ambushed them and fired one barrel of his shotgun into Ellsworth chest. The other barrels shot missed as Jackson was shot in the face and bayoneted by Private Francis Brownell. “Remember Ellsworth” became an early battle cry for the federal army.

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