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Item:
ON4532

Original U.S. Civil War Union USS Eutaw 35 Star American Flag Named to Lieutenant Leonard Paulding

Item Description

Original Item: One Only. A genuine 35 star American Flag (Naval Ensign) that flew on the United States steamer Eutaw captained by Lieutenant Commander Leonard Paulding who served in the U.S. Navy from 1840-1867.

Thanks to incredible research taken directly from The National Archives including Abstracts of Service Records of Naval Officers 1798-1893, Official Records of the Union Navies, and the Federal Pension File Widow of Helen J. Paulding; researchers have amassed over 50 pages of documentation on Paulding detailing his service before, during and after the Civil War. Research shows copies of original orders, promotions, correspondence, official records, and much more. A full binder with 50+ pages of research is included with the purchase of this incredible flag.

Leonard Paulding began his naval career as a midshipman aboard the USS Preble II in 1840. He served on various ships and was promoted to an officer on September 14th, 1855. Shortly thereafter he was given command of the USS Dolphin III  which sailed from Boston on October 16th, 1858 for duty on the Brazil Station, taking part in the expedition to Paraguay to obtain redress for the unprovoked firing up on the American ship Water Witch and to settle diplomatic difficulties. Dolphin returned to Norfolk on December 22nd, 1860 and was laid up at the Navy Yard. She was burned there on April 21st, 1861 by Union forces to prevent her falling into enemy hands.

During the Civil War War Paulding served aboard USS Michigan I, USS Galena I, USS St. Louis II, USS Monocacy I, USS Eutaw, USS Cyane II, and finally the USS Wateree aboard which he died while in command in the Bay of Panama on April 29th, 1867.

Paulding's remains were eventually relocated and buried in Arlington National Cemetery where his headstone can still be found today.

Paulding captained the USS Eutaw during the Civil War it was a 1,173 long tons (1,192 t) Sassacus-class "double-ender" side wheel steamer gunboat built by J.J. Abrahams, Baltimore, MD; was commissioned 2 July 1863. 

Assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, Eutaw spent most of the American Civil War operating on the Potomac and James Rivers and along the Atlantic coast. On 4–5 May 1864, Eutaw covered the Army as it landed below City Point, Virginia, and, on 14 July and 17 July, she bombarded the South at Malvern Hill. Later on 5 August, along with Augusta, she towed the ill-fated monitor Tecumseh from Hampton Roads to the Gulf of Mexico, returning to the James River on 22 August.

In April 1865, with the war nearly at an end, Eutaw went to New York City on 26 April, where she was decommissioned on 8 May. She was sold on October 15, 1867.

This flag flew on stern side of the USS Eutaw during the American Civil War. The flag has a 35 stars, which was correct from July 4th, 1863 through July 4th, 1865. Construction is a heavy burlap type material and measures approximately 18' long by 10' tall. Inside the header is the original rope with loops at either side. The reinforced header is marked in three places, two of the locations read PAULDING. The third location is a small label that has long since faded, but with use a a black light the word EUTAW can be seen.

This flag was purchased from direct descendants of Paulding who still reside in Upstate New York. It came to light in the past year and this is the very first time it has been offered on the collector's market.

An incredible part of American naval history, complete with full documentation and offered in very good condition considering its age.

  • This product is available for international shipping.
  • Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle

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