U.S. Colored Troops Regimental Flag

Creator: David Bustill Bowser

Context: Bowser, who painted signs for a living, created this flag in 1864. It was one of several he created for the new African-American regiments of the Union army.

Audience: Union and Confederate soldiers.

Purpose: To inspire black troops and perhaps also to stir the anger of white southerners.

Historical Significance: This illustration of a black soldier conquering a white southerner on the battlefield was uncharacteristically bold for its time period. It offers a relatively rare perspective on the events of the war, since few African Americans produced such public forms of art.