James Muir • Saving The Flag

Saving The Flag

by

James Muir

Height: 38 inches
Width: 31 inches
Depth: 16 inches
Weight (Approx): 250 pounds plus
Edition Numbers: 18/24
Medium: Bronze

Saving the Flag – This allegorical sculpture captures a moment of human valor during the American Civil War, depicting a Union cavalry charge where the flag bearer has fallen. Despite being pinned beneath his mount, the soldier summons supreme will to raise the cavalry guidon, the swallow-tailed American flag, for a bold young trooper to snatch up and carry onward in the forefront of the battle. Created in 1983 by James Muir, the sculpture’s symbolism resonates today as America faces what is described as its greatest crisis. The flag, representing the American Republic and the guiding light of the world, hangs in precarious balance as human liberty and rights face a critical juncture. The call to action emphasizes that a new generation of defenders, individuals with open and aware minds, must charge forward to grasp the banner of human freedom with unbridled fury to ensure a new world order based on liberty prevails, for the price of eternal freedom is eternal vigilance.

The guidon sergeant is armed with a .44 cal. Colt’s pistol and M1860 Light Cavalry Sabre. On his belt is a pistol cartridge box. He wears the Cavalry issue shell jacket, mounted trousers with 1 inch Sgt. stripe, early buff leather sabre belt and issue brogan shoes. The trooper is similarly armed, with the addition of a M1863 Sharps Carbine and cartridge box on his harness leather sabre belt and carbine sling. His hat insignia indicates Co “I” and his boots are the Federal issue for the Cavalry. (Note: most cavalry were issued brogan shoes rather than boots.)

Horse equipments are the Federal issue M1859 exposed rawhide seat saddle with crupper and saddle bags-outside section of pockets for spare horseshoes (1 each, fitted front and rear.) Bridles and bits are standard issue with the top horse using a “ring-bit,” a very severe Spanish type bit for hard to control horses (fortunately, seldom used.)

Additional equipments and accoutrements include: Overcoats rolled on the pommel, bed blanket on the cantle, canteen, haversack, tin cup, nose bag (containing brush and curry comb and watering bridle,) and, on the Sgt.’s horse, a non-issue breast collar. Normally, if a unit knew well in advance that they would be going into an attack, much of this excess baggage would be left behind to be picked up afterwards. The flag is the cavalry swallow-tail version of the thirty-five star American flag.