FBI Recovers Valuable Civil War Battle Flag

On September 29, 2011, agents from the Fredericksburg Resident Agency (FRA) of the Richmond Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation recovered a stolen 14th Louisiana Infantry Regiment Confederate Battle Flag.

This flag, which was stolen in the 1980s by a former volunteer at the Memorial Hall Museum (Confederate Memorial Hall) of New Orleans, was recovered after information was initially provided to the Art Crime Team in the FBI Miami Division. This information was relayed to FRA agents and, with the assistance of the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, FRA agents located the individual who had possession of the flag. Investigation determined that the collector purchased the item in 2004 without knowledge of it being stolen and voluntarily turned the item over to the FBI.

Special Agent in Charge Michael Morehart of the Richmond Division commends the efforts of deputies from the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, special agents in the FRA, and those of Miami’s Art Crime Team in securing this valuable piece of American history within hours of receiving information of its whereabouts.

Since its inception in 2005, the FBI’s National Art Crime Team has recovered more than 2,600 items valued at over $142 million.

The flag will be turned over to The Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia during a presentation on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 9:30a.m. The Museum is located at 1201 East Clay Street in Richmond. Thereafter, the flag will be returned to the Confederate Memorial Hall in New Orleans, Louisiana. Media is welcome.