This “flag” is made of cotton, printed on one side, and measures approximately 32” x 34”.  Top and bottom edges are turned and stitched while the side edges are left raw. Design is of three vertical bars in the national colors of Spain; red, yellow, red. In the center is the royal crest printed in black encircled by unit designation. Used by members of the “Batallon Cazadores de Alfonso XIII, No 24.”

There are a few small scattered holes and some minor stains, but overall, this piece is in very good condition.

Comes with a paper label that reads, “Spanish Flag Taken from earthworks at Aibonito, Porto Rico, Aug. 1898, Bat. A. Vol. Penna.”

The Knapsack Flag is a uniquely Spanish phenomenon.  In Spain it is called a Bandera de Mochila but is sometimes also referred to as a Bandera de Percha or "hanger flag."  Although commonly called a flag, the regulations refer to it as a pañuelo, i.e. a bandana or handkerchief.  A list of items to be issued to troops embarking for Cuba published in the January 12, 1898 edition of "Diario Oficial del Ministerio de la Guerra" references the knapsack flag as a pañuelo cubrepercha or "hanger covering bandana."  The knapsack flag was first issued in 1860 to the expeditionary forces fighting in North Africa.  This tradition of giving every Spanish soldier his own personal flag continued until 1927.  [jet] [ph:L]

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