Red, White & Blue - Snakes Alive!

[penolta]

You can't get any more patriotic than this!



This is a replica of the most famous of the rattlesnake flags used in the American Revolution. This is the only one in which the rattlesnake faces right. Here it faces the Union Jack, as a warning not to trifle with the independent frontiersmen of Western Pennsylvania. It has 13 rattles on its tail - one for each of the original 13 colonies. The original flag has been adopted as the model for this official flag of Westmoreland County in southwestern Pennsylvania where this flag originated.

The original flag was designed in Westmoreland County by the daughter of Samuel Craig, who carried these colors in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. Although now worn and faded, it is the only surviving original revolutionary rattlesnake banner, and is preserved in the state museum in Harrisburg. The reverse side was the model, and is so reproduced, as the other side, the usual side for flag display, is too faded to be readable.

The emblem, painted on a British battle flag, carried the inscription"JP IBWCP", which originally stood for "John Proctor's Independent Battalion (of) Westmoreland County Provincials". On the modern County flag, this has been reinterpreted as "John Proctor's First Battalion Westmoreland County Pennsylvania", as there were actually three battalions formed under Colonel Proctor at Hannastown. Beneath the rattlesnake was the motto "Don't Tread Upon Me" (the original letters "Up" had been worn off). The rattlesnake was a symbol of the American Revolution, based on a suggestion published anonymously around the beginning of the revolution, and now attributed to Benjamin Franklin. Franklin later suggested that we send rattlesnakes to England in retribution for their sending prisoners to America.

[selvin]

Most interesting historical expose. Very nice capture of this patriotic artifact.
The early colonial imperialists had absolutely no hesitation in sending their undersirables to far flung parts of their empires. Many former relatively isolated colonies were the recipients of prisoners. The Sci-Fi episode Star Trek's the "Wrath of Khan" was based on this premise.

Thanks for submitting.

[Tullio]

Another interesting thing about this flag is the fact that the flagpole is on the right. At first I thought that the flag was backward but looking at the stitches, this is indeed the front of the flag. Most peculiar.

[penolta]

Originally Posted by Tullio

Another interesting thing about this flag is the fact that the flagpole is on the right. At first I thought that the flag was backward but looking at the stitches, this is indeed the front of the flag. Most peculiar.

You are correct about the proper placement of a flagpole, but no, in this case it is not backwards, and is in fact the "back" of the flag:

The reverse side was the model, and is so reproduced, as the other side, the usual side for flag display, is too faded to be readable.

The "other side" (obverse) would be the "usual side" and would have had the flagpole on the left. As the flag was originally painted on both sides, and the right side design was ruined, the left side, in better shape, is depicted -- this has caused confusion in the past, leading to some incorrect illustrations having been made with the pole on the left of the "wrong" side (and therefore with the British colors on the top right). That field should always be on the pole side, as it is now shown. Both sides are worn, but only the one is still decipherable. It may be assumed both sides were identical, but no one can be sure, so it is shown as it is.

Thanks for looking,Tullio, and Selvin, thanks for the complement.

[Tullio]

Understand. Thanks for the explanation!

[mtngal]

A very interesting history lesson, thanks! An interesting picture to go with it.

[penolta]

You are welcomed, Harriet. Thanks for looking and commenting.