Guidon of the 188th O.V.I.

This is a photograph of the guidon of the 188th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with 188th Regt written on sleeve with black ink. A guidon was a flag carried into battle to signify the position of the unit. Usually a swallowtail, this one has thirteen red and white stripes and 34 stars on a blue field. The stripes signify the original 13 colonies and the 34 is the number of the states in the union at the beginning of the Civil Was. This flag has deteriorated