This image was obtained from the New York State Museums Website. It is 27 1/4” Hoist X 27 3/4”. The funds for conservation of these flags have been cut due to N.Y. State's financial crisis. It was fortunate that this flag (A Flank Marker; intended to allow the regiment to visually see where the right or left of the unit was located.) was small and easy to conserve.
There are still a vast number of flags that may never be saved!
Private and corporate donations can be made to:
“The Natural Heritage Trust —
DMNA Donation Fund”
and sent to: Director, Natural Heritage Trust
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and
Historic Preservation
Agency Building 1, Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12238.
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I had gone to the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga with my friend Steve on Saint Patricks Day to see the flag; but found that it was being housed at the Peebles Island Facility. While we were there I made arraignments with Chris Morton an Assistant Curator to view the flag.
Later, at Peebles Island, I found out from conversation with Chris that it was very likely captured by Beauregard's Confederate forces, possibly at Bull Run, Virginia, July 21, 1861. This is not "the Standard" that James Gilmour and his comrade Francis Perry rescued; but I would imagine that it was captured during the same incident he describes in his letters to his brother Robert, on his return to Washington, after the disastrous Battle of Bull Run.
We arrived (met in the parking lot after work and connecting in Cohoes) at 3:00 p.m.
I had heard of this location somewhere in my research but I had never been there. It was quite the experience seeing the flag in person and I was speechless (yeah, me speechless... can you imagine?) for the first few minutes (and on the brink of tears as well) but eventually I opened up...
Long story short: Chris is sent me everything he has on the unit for my research!!!! (THANKS CHRIS IT WILL BE INVALUABLE!!!)
I think he must have thought that if he sent me everything he had, eventually I would shut-up...
He doesn't know me very well now does he?!!!
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They let us pose for a picture but I had to promise not to publish it. Something about being in a Government Facility blah, blah, blah....
It is for personal use only they said. I printed it out and it will take a prominent place on my wall soon!
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obeedúid~
16/may/10
