Military Museum displays civil war Irish legion flag

90th Illinois Infantry flag recalls loyal service of Irish immigrants

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Flag for the 90th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, also known as, the Irish legion.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (03/14/2014)(readMedia)-- SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, the Illinois State Military Museum has installed a flag for the 90th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, also known as the Irish legion. The flag will be on display through the month of April.

In the fall of 1862, Catholic clergy and politicians in northern Illinois acted to change public opinion by recruiting the 90th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. At the start of the Civil War, many people were suspicious of Irish Catholicism and doubted Irish dedication and loyalty to the Union. The legion was made up of Irish-born immigrants who joined Union forces to refute the negative public perception of Irish immigrants.

Soldiers came from Springfield, Chicago, Galena, Rockford, Joliet, Ottawa and other and towns across northern Illinois.

"The Irish Legion name was definitely appropriate," said Bill Lear of Springfield, Ill., Museum Curator. "Seven out of 10 men were born in Ireland."

The unit fought in Gen. William T. Sherman's XVth Corps across seven Confederate states and helped capture three Confederate state capitals.

The flag featured in the Museum's first floor flag gallery is the third version of the 90th Illinois' regimental colors. The flag is one of more than 1,000 battle flags used by Illinois units. Flags range from the Mexican War to the Global War on Terror and are located in the Military Museum's collection. Lear periodically changes the flag on display to highlight different units from Illinois National Guard history.

Located two blocks north of the intersection of MacArthur Blvd. and North Grand Ave., the Illinois State Military Museum will tell the story of the contributions of the Illinois National Guard to the state and nation from 1723 through the 21st century.

The museum is open 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call (217) 761-3910.