Flag of the 154th Senior Tennessee Infantry, C.S.A. (Tennessee State Musuem collection, 2016.86.1.1)
Painted on to the flag, which is currently on display in the Tennessee Time Tunnel at the entrance to Civil War and Reconstruction Gallery, are battle honors added after the flag was made, including the engagements the regiment took place in leading up to the flag being retired. The battle honors included, "BELMONT, SHILOH, RICHMOND, KY, PERRYVILLE, and MUFREESBORO." The inverted crossed cannon image, present after three of the battles, signifies that the regiment captured an artillery battery during those engagements. The letter, sewn to the flag, is a copy of General Orders No. 26, issued by Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk, authorizing the placement of battle honors on the flag. The copy, with original spellings, reads:
Hdqrs Polk's Corps A.T.
Shelbyville April 16th, 1863
General Orders No. 26 Under General Orders No. 10.
Army Hdqrs Corps Commanders are directed to authorize the several Regiments, Battalions & Independent Companies, engaged in the commemorable battles of Murfreesborough, to inscribe on their colors the name of the field such corps as distinguished themselves in valiant & gallant charges on the enemy resulting in the capture of his Batteries will be entitled also in addition to the name & place the cross cannon inverted accordingly the several Regiments, Battalions & Independent Companies of this Corps engaged in the battle of Murfreesborough are here by authorized to inscribe upon their colors the names of Murfreesborough.
The Lieut Genl Commanding takes pride in awarding the additional distinction of the cross cannon inverted the endurance, courage & heroism of the Corps of this Corps, as exhibited upon that field, entitle them to this distinction & to the gratitude of their Country, where all were brave. There can be no discrimination, where all share the perils of the field all should share its honors the guns captured from the enemy are some of the fruits of the victory, to which the valor of each command contributed. It is therefore ordered that each Regiment, Battalion & Independent Company of the Corps engaged on the field of Murfreesborough now made historic, be authorized to inscribe upon its colors, the cross cannon inverted.
By Command of Lt. Gen'l Polk
Thos M. Jack, A A Gen'l Official
Jno Ingram, A.A.Gen'l
Brig Gen'l Smith
Comdg Brigade"