Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a great example of a rare Spanish "Knapsack flag", dating from the Spanish-American war era. It measures a very displayable 33" x 34½", and is of light canvas construction, with the Red, Yellow, and Red stripes of the Spanish national flag. In the center is a variation of the Spanish coat of arms. Surrounding it is the text:

Brigada de Tropas de
Sanidad Militar

Military Health
Troops Brigade

This denotes a soldier in the Medical Service of the Spanish army. Interestingly, the knapsack flag has a deeply-stamped 22 stencil which has bled through one side while folding. This stencil could denote many things, but one possibility is that it denotes capture by the American 22nd Infantry Regiment. During the War with Spain in 1898 the 22nd Infantry was the first United States Army unit to set foot on Cuban soil, landing at Daiquiri on June 22, 1898 and captured the first Spanish Colors taken in the war at Siboney on June 23. The Regiment fought at the Battle of El Caney and then was in the trenches before Santiago. The Regimental Commander Colonel Charles A. Wikoff was killed in action while temporarily leading a Brigade in battle on July 1, 1898.

In March 1899 the 22nd Infantry deployed to the Philippine Islands where it immediately went into battle against Filipino forces in the Philippine Insurrection. That same month the 22nd Infantry lost its second Regimental Commander in less than a year when Colonel Harry C. Egbert was killed in action at Malinta on the Island of Luzon. Over the years 1899 – 1905 the Regiment served in the Philippine Islands in six campaigns during the Philippine Insurrection and Moro Wars. Two soldiers from the 22nd Infantry were awarded the Medal of Honor in the Philippines, Sergeant Charles W. Ray and Private Charles H. Pierce.

Condition is very good, with the expected age toning and light wear from service, as shown. There is some staining on the body, but overall the colors are very well retained.

A lovely example, more than ready for further research and display!

The Knapsack Flag is a uniquely Spanish phenomenon, and basically were given to every member of a unit, with the designation printed on it. In Spain it is called a Bandera de Mochila, but is sometimes also referred to as a Bandera de Percha or "hanger flag." Although commonly called a flag, the regulations refer to it as a pañuelo, i.e. a bandana or handkerchief. A list of items to be issued to troops embarking for Cuba published in the January 12, 1898 edition of "Diario Oficial del Ministerio de la Guerra" references the knapsack flag as a pañuelo cubrepercha or "hanger covering bandana." The knapsack flag was first issued in 1860 to the expeditionary forces fighting in North Africa. This tradition of giving every Spanish soldier his own personal flag continued until 1927.