Flag question

[cblodg]

In saluting with colors, is dipping the state colors a modern procedure or was it done in the War as well?

[timg152005]

Hello,

This is one area that I have researched quite a bit. First reference comes from General Winfield Scott.

"1918 - . . . The regimental color alone will be dropped to a brigadier-general; both colors to the secretary of war or a major-general; and all colors and standards to the president or vice-president of the United States, or the governor of the state." "1919 - If the reviewing officer be under the rank of brigadier-general, no - compliment will be paid by either the colors or music; neither will arms be presented to him, if he be junior in rank to the commandant of the parade. In the latter case, he will be received with arms carried.

online version can be found here.
http://books.google.com/books?printsec=frontcover&dq=Abstract%20of%20Infantry%20Tactics&ei=8zJzTJKWOorWtQPVp9WYDQ&ct=result&id=6M417NJB0xAC&output=text&pg=PA196

In the 1857 and 1861 Army regulations has a great page with "HONORS TO BE PAID BY THE TROOPS" depending on rank.

Online version can be found here:
http://books.google.com/books?printsec=titlepage&id=enIFAAAAQAAJ&output=text&pg=PA31

227 The President or Vice-President is to be saluted with the

highest honors—all standards and colors dropping, officers and troops saluting, drums beating and trumpets sounding.

228. A General commanding-in-chief is to be received—by cavalry, with sabres presented, trumpets sounding the march, and all the officers saluting, standards dropping; by infantry, with drums beating the march, colors dropping, officers saluting, and arms presented.

229... .A Major-General is to be received—by cavalry, with sabres presented, trumpets sounding twice the trumpet-flourish, and officers saluting; by infantry, with three ruffles, colors dropping, officers saluting, and arms presented.

230. ... A Brigadier-General is to be received—by cavalry, with sabres presented, trumpets sounding once the trumpet-flourish, and officers saluting; by infantry, with two ruffles, colors dropping, officers saluting, and arms presented.

231. ...An Adjutant-General or Inspector-General, if under the rank of a General officer, is to be received at a review or inspection of the troops under arms—by cavalry, with sabres presented, officers saluting; by infantry, officers saluting and arms presented. The same honors to be paid to any field-officer authorized to review and inspect the troops. When the inspecting officer is junior to the officer commanding the parade, no compliments will be paid: he will be received only with swords drawn and arms shouldered.


If you looking for other manuals and what they may say, I suggest going here:
http://www.zipcon.net/~silas/links.htm#N_5_
Best resource of info I have found pertaining to army manuals of the period.

Thank you,

[J. Donaldson]

I haven't looked through all manuals, but in Gilham's, all colors are dipped (he uses the term "drooped") depending on the rank of the person being honored. See pages 433-435. I believe the practice of maintaining the position of the national colors while dipping other flags dates from the early twentieth century when modern flag etiquette was established.

[hiplainsyank]

As has already been mentioned, most of what we know about flag etiquette is from the 20th century, as is the requirement that the flag does not touch the ground. I've seen spectators going through camps complaining about the period colors in a period flag holder touching the ground...