Civil War Flag Project

COLORS OWNED BY THE 69th REGIMENT WERE REMOVED FROM THE FLAG CASES IN THE ARMORY FOR PRESERVATION DURING THE SUMMER OF 2005 BY DENYSE MONTEGUT, CHAIRPERSON OF THE MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAM IN FASHION AND TEXTILE STUDIES IN THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES AT THE FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (FIT), NEW YORK, AND HER STAFF.

1.         CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 NATIONAL COLOR: This Color was carried by the New York, 69th State Volunteers, First Regiment, Irish Brigade. The staff of this color has been struck six times by enemy ball fire, breaking the staff.  It was repaired with raw hemp while under enemy fire. It was in service 1861 - 1863 and in the following en­gagements: Bull Run, Virginia, July 21, 1861; Antietam, Maryland, Sept. 17, 1862; Fredericksburg, Virginia, Dec. 11-16, 1862; Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 1-3, 1863; and Gettysburg, Virginia, July 1-3, 1863.

2.         CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 IRISH COLOR: This Color was carried by the New York, 69th State Volunteers, First Regiment, Irish Brigade. It was in service and action with National Color No. 1, 1861 - 1863 and in the same five en­gagements as Color No. 1.

3.         CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 NATIONAL COLOR: This Color, carried by the New York, 69th State Volunteers, First Regiment, Irish Brigade was General Thomas Francis Meagher’s Headquarters Flag. . It is identified by markings seventh red stripe. 1861-1865. It was car­ried in the following engagements: Bull Run, Virginia, July 21, 1861; Antietam, Maryland, Sept. 17, 1862; Freder­icksburg, Virginia Dec. 11-16, 1862; Chancellorsville, - Virginia, May 1-3, 1863; Gettysburg, Virginia, July 1-3, 1863; Wi1derness, Virginia, May 5-7, 1864; Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 1-12, 1864; Petersburg, Virginia, June 16, 1864 and Appomattox, Virginia April 9, 1865.

4.         CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 REGIMENTAL COLOR: This Color was carried by the New York, 69th State Volunteers, First Regiment, Irish Brigade.  It was in service and action from 1861-1863 and in the following engagements: Blackburn’s Ford, Virginia; Bull Run; Virginia; Rappahannock Station, Virginia; Yorktown, Virginia; Fair Oaks, Virginia; Gaine’s Mills, Virginia; Savage Station, Virginia; Peach Orchard, Virginia; White Oak Swamp, Virginia; Glendale, Virginia; Malvern Hill, Virginia; Antietam, Maryland; Charleston, West Virginia; Snicker’s Gap, Virginia;  Hartwood Church, Virginia; Fredericksburg, Virginia; Deserted House, Virginia: Suf­folk, Virginia; Chancellorsville, Virginia; Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; Auburn Mills, Virginia; Carrsville, Virginia; Bristol Station, Virginia; and Mine Run, Virginia.

5.         CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 NATIONAL COLOR: This Color was carried by the New York 88th State Volunteers, Second Regi­ment Irish Brigade. It was curried in service and in action from 1861-1863 and in the same twenty-four engagements as Color No. 4.

6.         CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 NATIONAL COLOR: This Color was presented to the New York, 69th State Volunteers, First Regiment, Irish Brigade by the Citizens of New York in 1863 for Gallant War Service. It was in service and action from 1863-1865 and carried, in the following engagements: Wilderness, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia: Po River, Virginia; Spotsylvania, Virginia; Landron House, Virginia; Totopotomoy Creek, Virginia; Strawberry Plains, Virginia; Siege of Petersburg, Virginia; Farmville, Virginia; and Appomattox Court House, Virginia.

7.         CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 NATIONAL COLOR: This Color was carried by Headquarters, Second Army Corps, Second Division, Second Brigade. The Irish Brigade formed part of this Army Corps. The New York, 69th State Volunteers was unit of Second Brigade. It was carried in service and action from 1861- 1865 and in the same engagements as Color No. 6.

8.         CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 NATIONAL COLOR: This Color was presented to the New York 88th State Volunteers, Second Regi­ment Irish Brigade by the Citizens of New York City in 1863. The Staff of this Color was hit by enemy fire nine times breaking it in several places. It was repaired with Canteen Straps at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This Color was carried in service and action from 1863-65 and. was carried in the same ten engagements as Color No. 6.

9.         CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 IRISH COLOR: This Color was carried by the New York 88th State Volunteers, Second Regi­ment Irish Brigade. It was carried in service and action from 1863-1865 and was carried in the same en­gagements as Color No. 8.

10.       CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 NATIONAL COLOR: This Color was carried by the New York, 69th State Volunteers, First Regiment, Irish Brigade. It was carried in service and action from. 1863-1865 and was carried in the follow­ing engagements: Wilderness, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; Po River, Virginia; Spotsylvania, Virginia; Landron House, Virginia; Totopotomoy Creek, Virginia; Strawberry Plains, Virginia; Siege of Petersburg, Virginia; Farmville, Virginia; and Appomattox Court House, Virginia.

11.       CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 REGIMENTAL COLOR: This Color was carried by the New York, 69th State Volunteers, First Regiment, Irish Brigade. It was in service with National Color No. 12 and was carried in the same engagements as Color No, 12.

12.       CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 NATIONAL COLOR: This Color was carried by the New York, 69th State Volunteers. The staff of this Color shows evi­dence of bullet marks in ten places. Reports state that the blood stains on the staff were from the wounds of the Color Bearer who repaired the staff while under fire and bore it aloft during the charge of the regiment. It was carried in the ten engagements as Color No. 10.

13.       CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 NATIONAL COLOR: This Color was carried by New York 88th State Volunteers, Second Regi­ment Irish Brigade. It was in service 1861-1863 and was carried in the following engagements: Blackburn’s Ford, Virginia; Bull Run, Virginia; Rappahannock Station, Virginia; Yorktown, Virginia; Fair Oaks, Virginia; Caine’s Mills, Virginia; Savage Station, Virginia; Peach Orchard, Virginia; White Oaks Swamps, Virginia; Glendale, Virginia; Malvern Hill, Virginia; Antietam, Maryland., Charleston, West Virginia; Snicker’s Gap, Virginia; Hartwood Church, Virginia; Fredericksburg, Virginia; Deserted House, Virginia; Suffolk, Virginia; Chancellorsville, Virginia; Carrsville, Virginia; Gettys­burg, Pennsylvania; Auburn Mills, Virginia; Bristol Station, Virginia; and Mine Run, Virginia.

14.       CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 CORPS COLOR: This Color was carried by the Second Brigade, First Division, Second Army. It bears the Red Shamrock of the Irish Brigade. It was in service 1861-1865 and was carried in the following engagements: Wilderness, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; Po River, Virginia; Spotsylvania, Virginia; Landron House, Virginia; Totopotomoy Creek, Virginia; Strawberry Plains, Virginia; Siege of Petersburg, Virginia; Farmville, Virginia; and Appo­mattox Court House, Virginia.

15.       CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 REGIMENTAL COLOR: This Color was carried by the New York 88th State Volunteers, Second Regi­ment Irish Brigade It was in service 1861-1863 and was carried in the same twenty-four engagements as Color No 13.

16        CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 NATIONAL COLOR: This Color was carried by Corcoran’s Irish Legion and first taken into Action at the Battle at Deserted House, January 30, 1863. It was in service 1863-1865 and was carried in the following engagements: Wilderness, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; Po River, Virginia; Spotsylvania, Virginia; Landron House, Virginia; Totopotomoy Creek, Virginia; Strawberry Plains, Virginia; Siege of Petersburg, Virginia; Farmville, Virginia; and Appo­mattox Court House, Virginia.

17.       SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 1898 - 1899 REGIMENTAL COLOR: This Color was curried by the New York 69th National Guard in the SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 1898-1899. It was flown over Camp Black.

18.       CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 BRIGADE COLOR: This Color was carried by the Irish Brigade New York, 69th State Volunteers and New York 88th State Volunteers. It was carried with Color No. 1 from 1861-1863 and was in the following engagements: Blackburn’s Ford, Virginia; Bull Run, Virginia; Rappahannock Station, Virginia; Yorktown, Virginia; Fair Oaks, Virginia; Gaines Mills, Virginia,; Savage Station, Virginia; Peach Orchard, Virginia; White Oaks Swamp, Virginia; Glendale, Virginia; Malvern Hill, Virginia; Antietam, Maryland; Charleston, West Virginia; Snicker’s Gap, Virginia; Hartwood Church, Virginia; Fredericksburg, Virginia; Deserted House, Virginia; Suffolk, Virginia; Chancel­lorsville, Virginia; Carrsville, Virginia; Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; Auburn Mills, Virginia; Bristol Station, Virginia; and Mine Run, Virginia.

19.       CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 REGIMENTAL COLOR: New York, 69th State Volunteers It was carried 1863-1865 and was in the following engagements: Mine Run, Virginia; Wilderness, Virginia; Po River, Virginia; Spotsylvania, Virginia; Landron House, Virginia; North Anna River, Virginia; Totopotomoy Creek, Virginia; Cold Harbor, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; Weldron Railroad, Virginia; Deep Bottom, Virginia; Strawberry Plains, Virginia; Ream’s Station, Virginia; Boydton Plank­road, Virginia; Hatcher’s Run, Virginia; Skinner’s Farm, Virginia; Crow’s House, Virginia; Hatcher’s Run, Virginia; Siege of Petersburg, Virginia; Southerland Station, Virginia; Sailor’s Creek, Virginia; Farmville, Virginia; and Appomattox Court House, Virginia.

20.       CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 REGIMENTAL COLOR of New York 88th State Volunteers, Second Regi­ment Irish Brigade. It was carried from1861-1863 and was in the same twenty-four engagements as Brigade Color No. 18.

21.       CIVIL WAR 1861-1865 NATIONAL COLOR of New York 88th State Volunteers, Second Regi­ment Irish Brigade. It was carried with Color No. 20, 1861-1863 and in the same twenty-four engagements.

22.       CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 REGIMENTAL COLOR: of New York 88th State Volunteers, Second Regi­ment Irish Brigade. It was carried with Color No. 19, 1863-1865 and in the same twenty-three engagements.

23.       CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 PRINCE OF WALES FLAG: This Flag presented to the 69th Regiment in commem­oration of the 11th of October, 1860. On this date Colonel Corcoran refused to have the Regiment Pass in Review for the Prince of Wales. It was presented at the old Irish headquarters adjoining St. Patrick’s Cathedral, corner of Prince and Mott Streets. The flag currently is on display in the Regimental Headquarters office in the Armory.

24.       CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 NATIONAL COLOR presented in November, 1862 by the American-Born Citizens of New York to the New York, 69th State Volunteers for Gallant and Brilliant conduct on the Battlefields of Virginia and Maryland: Fredericksburg, Fair Oaks, White Oak Ridge, Chancellorsville, Game’s Mill, Antietam, Yorktown, Glendale, Gettysburg, Savage’s Station, Allen’s Farm, Malvern’s Hill, and Bristol Station.

25.       CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 IRISH COLOR presented in November, 1862 by the Citizens of New York in November, 1862 to the New York, 69th State Volunteers, First Regiment, Irish Brigade, Brigadier General Thomas Francis Meagher Commanding the “The Irish Brigade” For Gcillor₄r and Brilliant conduct on the Battlefields of Virginia and Maryland: (contains same engagements as No 24).

26.       CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 NATIONAI COLOR presented in November, 1862 by the American-Born Citizens of New York to the New York 88th State Volunteers, Second Regi­ment Irish Brigade for Gallant and Brilliant conduct on the Battlefields of Virginia and Maryland (contains same engagements as No 24).

27.       CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 IRISH COLOR presented in November, 1862 by the Citizens of New York in November, 1862 to the New York 88th State Volunteers, Second Regi­ment Irish Brigade Brigadier General Thomas Francis Meagher Commanding the “The Irish Brigade” For Gallant and Brilliant conduct on the Battlefields of Virginia and Maryland: (contains same engagements as No 24).

28.       SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 1898 - 1899 ORMAMENTAL COLOR presented to the 69^TH Regiment, National Guard, New York, Colonel Edward Duffy Commanding, by the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick on May 18, 1988. 

29.       SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 1898 - 1899 ORMAMENTAL COLOR presented to the 69^TH Regiment, National Guard, New York, Colonel Edward Duffy Commanding, by the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick on May 18, 1988. 

30.       SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 1898 - 1899 IRISH COLOR presented to the 69^TH Regiment, National Guard, New York, Colonel Edward Duffy Commanding, by the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick on May 18, 1988. 

31.       NEW YORK STATE COLOR presented to the 69th Regiment National Guard, State of New York by the Grand Army of the Republic of the City of New York.

32.       CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 REGIMENTAL COLOR of the New York, 69th State Volunteers 1863-1865 Deserted House or Kelly’s Store, Virginia; Suffolk, Virginia; Chancellorsville, Virginia; Carrsville, Virginia; Gettysburg, Virginia; Auburn Mills, Virginia; Bristol Station; Virginia; Mine Run, Virginia; Wilderness, Virginia; Po River, Virginia; Spotsylvania (Angle), Virginia; Landron House, Virginia; North Anna River, Virginia;

Totopotomoy Creek, Virginia; Cold Harbor, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia (assault); Weldron Railroad, Virginia; Deep Bottom, Virginia; Strawberry Plains, Virginia; Ream’s Station, Virginia; Boydton Plankroad, Virginia; Hatcher’s Run, Virginia; Siege of Petersburg, Virginia; Hatcher’s Run or Dabneys Mills, Virginia; Skinner’s Farm, Virginia; Crow’s House (near Petersburg), Virginia; Farmville, Virginia; and Appomattox Court House, Virginia.

33.       CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 REGIMENTAL COLOR of the New York, 88th State Volunteers1863-65. Deserted House or Kelly’s Store, Virginia; Suffolk, Virginia; Chancellorsville, Virginia; Carrsville, Virginia; Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; Auburn Mills, Virginia; Bristol Station, Virginia; Mine Run, Virginia; Wilderness, Virginia; Po River, Virginia; Spotsylvania (Angle), Virginia; Landron House, Virginia; North Anna River, Virginia; Totopotomoy Creek, Virginia; Cold Harbor, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia (assault); Weldon Railroad, Virginia; Deep Bottom, Virginia; Strawberry Plains, Virginia; Ream’s Station, Virginia; Boydton Plankroad, Virginia; Hatcher’s Run, Virginia; Siege of Petersburg, Virginia; Hatcher’s Run or Dabney’s Mills; Skinner’s Farm, Virginia; Crow’s House (near Petersburg) Virginia; Hatcher’s Run, Virginia; Southerland Station, Virginia; Sailor’s Creek, Virginia; Farmville, Virginia; Appomattox Court House, Virginia.

34.       CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865 NATIONAL COLOR Carried by the Irish Brigade while on Parade.

n      The purpose was to stabilize, protect, and properly store the Civil War flags located in two front hall cases in the Armory

n      Each flag had its own pole number and a State identifying number in a format of LX1996.xxx

n      Almost all the flags were wrapped in dirty, brittle, yellowed acetate covering

n      The acetate was removed from each flag

n      An initial level of condition was determined and the flags were either unrolled or not.

n      If the flag was unrolled, it was photographed, aligned, laid on acid free tissue paper, rolled in the acid free tissue paper, and then rolled again in a final covering of clear 4 ml mylar and tied with cotton twill tape.

n      If the flag was not unrolled, it was photographed in its rolled state, and then rolled in acid free tissue paper and mylar as above.

n      A record was made for each flag.

Project Team

n      Denyse Montegut, Chairperson of the master's degree program in Fashion and Textile Studies in the School of Graduate Studies at FIT

n      FIT Fabric Restoration and Stabilization Team

n      Colonels Jim Tierney and Walter Montagno

n      Project Period: June - December 2005

Stabilization and Storage

n      Only archival materials were used in this re-housing project.  For the 43 flags that were re-housed, there was considerable expense.Custom boxing made from double walled acid free corrugated board was created for the housing of the flags

n      Three flags were put into one box

n      Each of the flags were well supported within each box

n      To reduce the cost of each box and to allow the boxes to fit on the shelving built for them, the lower end of each box was left open

n      At the top end of the box, the finial end of the flag is supported on a notched bed of 3” ethafoam

n      If there were plaques that were associated with the pole number, they were housed in the box also

n      Sheets of grey board come in standard sizes.  Each box consists of a top section made from one sheet of board of a standard length.

n      The bottom portion is variable length based on the length of the poles to be housed.

n      At the bottom end of the box, the lower end of the flags are supported.  Long flags, especially those made in two parts with connectors, need mid-box ethafoam supporters also.

n      The open end of the boxes allows for varying length poles to be stored together.

n      The boxes are light enough with just three flags to be carried by a single person.

n      The deep “V”s of the ethafoam cuts prevents the flags from moving in the box.

n      The length of the flag itself is never touched by the ethafoam.

Storage

n      In the air-conditioned 2nd floor store room, there is an unused stair case that was outfitted with wide plywood shelves.

n      Three boxes fit onto one shelf

n      The boxes were then covered by a mylar sheet

Right Click on the file and open link to view some pictures of the project.

LOCATION CHART FOR CIVIL WAR FLAGS

[Each box is listed in numerical order, showing the three flags that are in each box.  The pole number on top, and the last three digits of the State number on the bottom for each of the three flags]

BOX 1         39                18                17

                   244              209              207

BOX 2         12                14                7

                   208              210              205

BOX 3         ?                  9                 13

                   197              204              200

BOX 4         23                31                21

                   254              250              240

BOX 5         6                 11                10

                   206              202              201             

BOX 6         5                 4                 16

                   203              211              199

BOX 7         3                 8                 ?

                   196              213              214

BOX 8         15                27                29

                   212              246              248

BOX 9         1                 20                22

                   198              239              241

BOX 10       28                19                32

                   247              238              251

BOX 11       24                26                33

                   243              245              252

BOX 12       41                38                35

                   233              230              228

BOX 13       37                42                36

                   237              229              231

BOX 14       34                45

                   253              249

BOX 15       40                53

                   256              255

CHART BY POLE NUMBER

[GIVING THE LX1996.xxx NUMBER AND BOX LOCATION WITH IT]

Pole#           LX number            Box#

1                 198                       9

2 (not used – possibly one of the poles where number couldn’t be read)

3                 196                       7

4                 211                       5

5                 203                       6

6                 206                       5

7                 205                       2

8                 213                       7

9                 204                       3                

10                201                       5

11                202                       5

12                208                       3

13                200                       3

14                210                       2

15                212                       8

16                199                       6

17                207                       1

18                209                       1

19                238                       10

20                239                       9

21                240                       4

22                241                       9

23                254                       4

24                243                       11

25(not used – possibly one of the poles where number couldn’t be read)

26                245                       11

27                246                       8

28                247                       10

29                248                       8

30 (not used – possibly one of the poles where number couldn’t be read)     

31                250                       4

32                251                       10

33                252                       11

34                253                       14

35                228                       12

36                231                       13

37                237                       13

38                230                       12

39                244                       1

40                256                       15

41                233                       12

42                229                       13

43

44

45                249                       14

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

Couldn’t read these pole numbers

??                197                       3

??                214                       7