field-colors

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. Milit., flags about a foot square, carried by markers in the field or on the parade-ground, to indicate the turning-points of a column, or the line to be occupied in the formation or deployment of a body of troops. The term is also applied to the distinctive flags which designate the position of the headquarters of a brigade, division, corps, or army, on the march, in camp, or on the battle-field. The regimental flags carried in the field and on occasions of ceremony are sometimes so called in contradistinction to garrison flags, which are much larger in size.