This interesting flag is known as the Flag of the Green Mountain Boys or sometimes as the Stark Flag. This flag served as the regimental colors for the famous Green Mountain Boys militia during the American Revolution.
The Green Mountain Boys were led by the American Patriot Ethan Allen who established the unit in 1770 in the region between New York and New Hampshire that would eventually become the state of Vermont. Allen and the Green Mountain Boys distinguished themselves in battle in capturing Fort Ticonderoga from the British in 1775 and again at the Battle of Bennington in 1777.
The flag is sometimes referred to as the Stark Flag after John Stark who was a Major General in the Continental Army. Stark, a native of New Hampshire, had a distinguished military career. He first served as an officer during the French and Indian War. Later, he fought in several important engagements during the Revolutionary War including the Battles of Bunker Hill, Trenton, Princeton, and Springfield. His most important accomplishments came during the Battles of Bennington and Saratoga. At the Battle of Bennington in May of 1777, Stark and the Green Mountain Boys defeated British and Hessian troops who had been sent to capture American supplies being stored in the town. At the battle, Stark is famously quoted as saying: "There are your enemies, the Red Coats and the Tories. They are ours, or this night Molly Stark sleeps a widow!" Stark earned the nickname “The Hero of Bennington.
Later, in October of 1777, Stark and his men helped force the surrender of British General John Bugoyne by blocking his retreat at the Battle of Saratoga. The American victory at Saratoga marked a major turning point in the war. A remnant of the Flag of the Green Mountain Boys once belonging to Major General John Stark still exists and is owned by the Bennington Museum.
After the United States won its independence from the British, The Green Mountain Boys continued on and served in the War of 1812, the Civil War, and the Spanish American War. Eventually, the Green Mountain Boys became the Vermont National Guard. The Vermont National Guard still unofficially referred to as the Green Mountain Boys. The flag is still currently used as their regimental flag and is still carried in battle.
The green field of the flag is representative of the area in which the militia lived, the Green Mountains. The thirteen stars symbolized the original thirteen colonies of the United States.
In addition to being an important and interesting part of American History, the Flag of the Green Mountain Boys continues to represent our founding values of individual freedom and independence.
Dimensions: 19.5"x36"