A finely executed original watercolor and gouache study depicting the First National (Stars and Bars) pattern flag carried by the Princess Anne Cavalry, later Company C of the 15th Virginia Cavalry. The vignette is rendered on a golden/tan field with a central roundel enclosing a seated female figure — an allegorical Liberty holding a spear and cap of liberty — beneath the motto "LIBERTY OR DEATH," above a red ribbon banner inscribed "THE PRINCESS ANNE CAVALRY." The artist has signed in pencil at lower right with the initials "RNS"; we have not been able to identify this artist and offer no attribution beyond what appears on the sheet.

The verso bears a contemporary or near-contemporary ink caption reading "THE PRINCESS ANNE CAVALRY / CO. C [–] 15TH VA CAV," corroborating the regimental identification independently of the painted image.

HISTORICAL NOTE: The Princess Anne Cavalry was organized near Norfolk, Virginia in July 1861, recruiting men from Princess Anne, Sussex, Surry, Prince George, Nansemond, and Southampton counties as part of the 5th Virginia Cavalry Regiment. Several of its companies were subsequently reassigned to the 14th Battalion Virginia Cavalry, which consolidated with the 15th Battalion in September 1862 to form the 15th Regiment Virginia Cavalry — the unit designation given on this sheet. The "Liberty or Death" motto, drawn from Patrick Henry's famous 1775 declaration, was a popular device among Virginia cavalry commands of the period; a First National flag bearing the same slogan, carried in Stuart's Cavalry, was captured during the retreat from Gettysburg in 1863 and is well documented among period militaria.

This piece appears to be a flag study or reproduction design rather than a wartime original banner — likely produced for research, display, or commemorative purposes — though we make no claim as to its date of execution.

MEASUREMENTS: Paper 11" x 10"; painted flag vignette approximately 4" x 3.5".  [ss][ph:L]

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