Regulations called for infantry battle flags to be supplied with cords and tassels of blue and white. The cords were separate strands of blue and white twisted together. The fringe consisted of separate groups of blue white tassels. The turkshead knot varied in precise design by maker, but was often like this one with blue and white woven together in a chevon pattern. “Advance the Colors,” a study of Pennsylvania Civil War flags shows four of the most common designs on page 553 (Vol. 2.) This is pretty much dead on for the first shown (at left.)

These may have had a functional purpose at some early point, but were decorative by the time of the Civil War and were tied at the midpoint to the base of the spearhead or eagle finial on the staff. Artillery regimental colors had cords of scarlet and yellow. Infantry cords were blue and white, as here. The color of the tassels and turksheads is vivid on this example. The cords show some minor fading. This is a very displayable example. [sr]

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