The Charlestown Militia Company

Our Flags

Controversy exists over some of the flags used by the Charlestown Militia.  The red flag with the white canton and green tree is said to be the Provincial Flag without the cross in the upper left corner.  This is said to have been removed as an act of rebellion against England - something which greatly annoyed the King's representatives in the Colony. This is the flag seen in the famous painting by Trumbell called "The Battle of Bunker Hill".

The blue flag is said by some to have been a mistake in coloring which occurred perhaps as long as two hundred years ago.  Nonetheless, the flag has - over time - become synonymous with Bunker Hill and is now seen prominently displayed at the Bunker Hill Monument and by Charlestown area merchants. 

Finally we show the Grand Union Flag which was raised by George Washington at Cambridge Massachusetts on the 1st of January, 1776.  Colonel Thomas Gardner died of wounds received at the Battle of Bunker Hill and would, of course, never have seen this flag.  His troops however, serving under General Nathaniel Green would certainly have been familiar with this "First Flag".

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