New York State Military Museum Marks Flag Day, June 14, With Free Talk on Battle Flags

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The flag of the 26th United States Colored Troops is one of the many historic Civil War flags held by the New York State Military Museum.

SARATOGA SPRINGS NY (06/05/2014)(readMedia)-- The New York State Military Museum will mark Flag Day, June 14, with a free talk on the history of New York's Battle Flag collection and an outline of the efforts to preserve the flags.

Military Museum Assistant Curator Christopher Morton, will present the talk at 10 a.m.

The New York State Battle Flag Collection includes over 2000 flags associated with New York military organizations with examples dating from the War of 1812 to the present.

The collection includes over 900 flags from the Civil War period. This is the largest publicly held collection of Civil War battle flags in the country.

New York State started to collect the flags borne by her native volunteer regiments in January 1863. In a circular dated January 21, 1863, Adjutant General John Sprague expressed "It is desired that all regimental colors, worn out in service, and of consolidated regiments, be forwarded to these Head-Quarters, as well as captured flags, banners, &c., that they may be deposited in the archives of the State, in an appropriate manner, as a record of the valor and fortitude of her sons."

Throughout history, battle flags have served as a practical tool. On the battlefield, especially during the black powder era including the Civil War, flags served as a rally point for a regiment and, from a larger perspective, allowed commanding officers to identify and direct troop positions and movements.

In addition, during the Civil War, the Army introduced specifically designed flags that transmitted messages in code, an important advancement in communications provided by an emerging arm of the military, the Signal Corps.

However, the flags also served and continue to serve as more than a simple functional device or tool, Morton explained.

During the Civil War for example many communities throughout New York State supplied the local volunteer company or regiment with a flag, either homemade or specially commissioned. Patrons typically presented the cherished banners in public ceremonies, before large crowds, with passionate speeches lauding the Union cause and arousing martial spirits.

As new regiments organized and veteran regiments continued in service, special flag presentations continued. Each flag came to signify a community's devotion to its patriot sons and a soldier's dedication to home, country, and cause. Even today, flags continue to serve as the embodiment of the regiment, its history, and its accomplishments.

In 2000, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) initiated a preservation campaign and developed plans for archival long-term housing of the New York State Battle Flag Collection. Over the last decade and a half, OPRHP textile conservators from the Peebles Island Resource Center have preserved over 500 flags from the collection.

The New York State Military Museum, located in Saratoga Springs, is administered by the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs. The museum holds New York military artifacts dating back to the Civil War as well as books, photographs and historic weapons.