15th Iowa Regimental Flag

[Hairy Nation Boys]

Brandon Jolly, Jefferson Saylor, Arch Campbell, Steven Jolly (Company C), and I made a trip over to the Iowa State Historical Museum in DES Moines today. We spent over a hour looking at the regimental and other national flags of the 15th. The first national flag of the 15 th is not there and they do not know where it is.We think we have a really good idea of what the regimental looked like. Most if the eagle is missing since the soldiers cut it up after the war. The regimental was sent back to Iowa at the end if April 1862 and was cut up after the war by the veterans. Also we found an image of a 15th Company C member. He had on sky blue trousers in his two images that were taken before the battle if Shiloh. It was a great day and I will post some pictures later.

[Silas]

Re: 15th Iowa Regimental Flag

Is what you saw similar to the colors of the 21st Iowa ?

[Hairy Nation Boys]

Re: 15th Iowa Regimental Flag

Yes, but there are some differences. We want the flag to be 100 percent accurate.

[dirtyshirt]

Re: 15th Iowa Regimental Flag

What a great trip. The Regimental we saw today was THE one used at Shiloh. There are very marked differences between the 15th's and the one shown in Silas's post however, the basic posture is the same. The Eagle is sprawled in a very peculiar fashion when you look at the dimensions I took of the wings. The body of the Eagle is brown with darks and lights in the feathers. The Banner held in the bird's mouth is red, and we have reasonable cause to say in the lower banner was painted "15th IOWA" "INFANTRY" "VOLUNTEERS". The Arrows held on the left are in a straight, tight, bundle instead of spread and the stars above are in a more shallow ark.

I have asked the museum if it is okay if we post the photos Holler took on an open forum. If she gives us the okay, maybe we'll post a couple of them. What a time with good pards (and my son) today!

[Hairy Nation Boys]

Re: 15th Iowa Regimental Flag

Besides looking at the regimental flag we also looked at the 2nd national and last national of the 15th. The last national flag had all the battles of the Atlanta Campaign and Bentonville. We also looked at the black draping that was put over the flag because of the Lincoln assassination. Last but not least we looked at a company flag (cotton) from the 15th that was patched by using scraps of sack coat material. Oh and by the way the color of the wool was all different shades. Think buying a sack from three different approved vendor.

We also saw 22nd Iowa Company D flag, and the 16th Iowa's first national flag.

We then had a nice lunch facing the capitol and the Iowa Civil War monument. Then headed down to the state library where we had a short amount of time to do some additional research. Jefferson and I looked over the original company rosters. It was humbling to read in the right column men who had been killed or wounded at Shiloh or Corinth.

The weird part of our trip was when we stopped for gas and this guy came up to us and asked where the nearest police station was. Needless to say we got the heck out of there!

In was an amazing day!

[Arch Campbell]

Re: 15th Iowa Regimental Flag

It was awe-inspiring (and humbling) to be within inches of colors that made it through the storm that was Pittsburg Landing. Sheila (the conservator) was very gracious and accommodating. She jumped right in and helped with measurements, stretched full out on her moveable bench that she lays on while working on the flags. She showed us where she has painstakingly removed thousands upon thousands of stitches from misguided (but well intentioned) preservation efforts in the past. I came away even more appreciative of the work of the Battle Flag Project here in Iowa that I was before.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: 15th Iowa Regimental Flag

That is fantastic Gents. I really look forward to seeing and hearing much more :)

[dirtyshirt]

Re: 15th Iowa Regimental Flag

We'll be trying to organize a donation effort for the Iowa Battle Flag Project. Sheila is the ONLY ONE working on them due to budget cuts. When we went out last year to see the 45th Alabama flag, there were two assistants. Now, she has to stop people in the hall to help her pull each flag out when she has to work on one. If anyone has any ideas how to go about this, I am all ears.

[FlatLandFed]

Re: 15th Iowa Regimental Flag

Friend Brandon,
The Dept of Iowa, Sons of Union Veterans, should be able to help as I've sent them $ in the past to help with the Iowa Battleflags Project. Their website should have contact information.
Best of luck. Of the guys I would want ramrodding such as project, your crew has to be among the choicest.
I look forward to following the Color Guard in Tennessee next year.
Paul Hadley

[Regimental Colours]

Re: 15th Iowa Regimental Flag

We'll be trying to organize a donation effort for the Iowa Battle Flag Project. Sheila is the ONLY ONE working on them due to budget cuts. When we went out last year to see the 45th Alabama flag, there were two assistants. Now, she has to stop people in the hall to help her pull each flag out when she has to work on one. If anyone has any ideas how to go about this, I am all ears.

Brandon:

Is this donation effort to raise funds for the Iowa Battle Flag Project in general? Or possibly the "Adopt A Flag" program to ensure the preservation of the 15th Iowa flags? Even though the State Historical Society of Iowa needs donations for various projects, perhaps this one should be centered around the 15th Iowa. There are a couple of ways to go about this, depending on what your objective is.

In these tough economic times each state historical society is in need of donations to help preserve their Civil War flags. Since volunteers for the 15th Iowa are coming from across the United States and overseas, perhaps it's only fair if we concentrate on the flags of the 15th Iowa. If this is the case, I will be the first person to make a donation.

State Historical Society of Iowa:

"ADOPT A FLAG
Iowa’s collection of historic battle flags have suffered from years of neglect and are in danger of crumbling away. The State Historical Society of Iowa is working to conserve these colorful and treasured pieces of Iowa’s history.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Through SHSI’s “Adopt a Flag” program, Individuals, groups and businesses may adopt a specific flag, ensuring your flag will receive the Long-term conservation efforts it needs. Various levels of donation are available, each with a number of valuable benefits (listed at right).

The State Historical Society of Iowa can provide guidance and assistance with your Adopt A Flag plans. Please contact the State Historical Society of Iowa at 515-281-5111 to learn how you can adopt a flag."

A group in North Carolina has been deeply involved with raising funds for the preservation of their flags. Take a look at this link:

http://goodoldrebel.com/reenactors-fund-confederate-battle-flag-preservation/

[dixieflyer]

Re: 15th Iowa Regimental Flag

This is an outstanding idea pards. Is there anyway we, as a battalion, can adopt the flag(s) of the 15th Iowa? I know we've already paid our dues for this event, but I am willing to fork over some more to preserve the flags of the regiment we are portraying. If each of us gave just $1.00, that woudl be $400 for the coffer.
Here's another idea. I'm sure that many of us will be together not only in our companies, but as a battalion through much of this 150th cycle. What say you to a charitable project somehow centered around those we are portraying for each of these events we attend? I'm not talking big money here, but just a small portion of our event fees.
Thoughts?

[dirtyshirt]

Re: 15th Iowa Regimental Flag

Warren,
I think that's a great idea, and we can start with the Iowa Battle Flag Project. I told Sheila as we walked through the storage areas we were hoping to raise some money for the project, and her eyes just lit up!

[dixieflyer]

Re: 15th Iowa Regimental Flag

I'm fer it pard!

[dirtyshirt]

Re: 15th Iowa Regimental Flag

Paul, Adam, Warren,

I will contact the Historical Society about the Adopt a Flag option. I think that would be the best way to go about it. Paul, do you have a contact for the SUV I can reach out to for guidance?

[Regimental Colours]

Re: 15th Iowa Regimental Flag

Further information on "Adopt A Flag" program:

http://www.iowahistory.org/contacts/news_release/2006/adopt_a_battle_flag.htm

Public can "Adopt a Flag" at Historical Museum historic properties

For immediate release July 18, 2006


Contact: Jeff Morgan, Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov, (515) 281-3858

(DES MOINES) – Deep in the thunderous chaos of battle, Iowa’s Civil War battle flags provided an identity and a point of pride for the soldiers who rallied to save the Union.

Now, as the flags face a second battle – this time against the forces of time and deterioration – the State Historical Society of Iowa is calling on Civil War descendents, re-enactors and history buffs of all stripes to consider making a contribution to SHSI’s “Adopt a Flag” program. The program supports SHSI’s historic battle flag collection, which includes more than 200 flags borne by Iowa regiments and batteries during the Civil War, Spanish-American War and World War I.

“We have the ability to save these flags for future generations,” SHSI battle flag conservator Sheila Hanke said. “But with the substantial cost of stabilization work, we must always be mindful of budgetary constraints when we plan our conservation efforts. The ‘Adopt a Flag’ program is an opportunity for interested donors to help speed up the preservation process on a particular flag by granting us the financial power necessary to move quickly.”

Potential donors can consider several levels of support as part of the “Adopt a Flag” program. Each level qualifies the donor for certain benefits.

Donations ranging from $500 to $999 – the “Battalion” level of support – qualify the donor for a certificate with an image of the sponsored flag, a battle flag poster, access to an exclusive online message board, a set of battle flag postcards, listing in permanent exhibit signage, and a tour of the battle flag preservation lab for up to 10 people.

Donations at the “Regiment” level, which range from $1,000 to $4,999, qualify the donor for “Battalion” level benefits, two tours of the preservation lab, and an invitation to a private preview reception to open flag exhibits.

Donors at the “Brigade” level, from $5,000 to $9,999, receive a personal appearance by a State Historical Museum curator or conservator alongside all “Regiment Level” benefits.

Donors at the “Division” level, from $10,000 to $49,999, receive “Brigade” level benefits and the right to name an Iowa Battle Flag cabinet.

Finally, donors at the “Corps” level of $50,000 or more receive “Brigade” level benefits and the naming rights to the Iowa Battle Flag Preservation Lab.

“We think the most significant reward of this program,” Hanke said, “is knowing you’ve played a major role in stabilizing these flags, which really are incredibly fragile.”

The cost to stabilize a single Civil War battle flag is at least $4,800 or more, depending on the amount of damage. It is a tedious and delicate process performed by highly trained and skilled conservators. The process of preserving a flag takes a skilled conservator like Hanke up to 240 hours. During the process, up to 8,000 stitches must be individually cut and lifted from flags to remove gauze from a previous conservation attempt in the 1890s.

When conservators finish their work, they mount each flag in a compression frame under a UV-filtering and scratch-resistant Luxan shield. Each framed flag, weighing between 200 and 250 pounds, will be rotated in and out of public exhibition.

To find out more about the “Adopt a Flag” program, please contact SHSI at 515-281-5111.

The State Historical Society of Iowa is a trustee of Iowa’s historical legacy and an advocate for understanding Iowa’s past. It identifies, records, collects, preserves, manages and provides access to Iowa’s historical resources. Its dual mission of preservation and education serves Iowans of all ages, conducts and stimulates research, disseminates information, and encourages and supports historical preservation and education efforts of others throughout the state. Please visit www.iowahistory.org or call 515-281-5111 for more information.


***Note:

Brandon, the above information was posted on the SHSI website in 2006 and the prices are outdated. The cost of preserving a Civil War flag depends on things such as size and condition, and will cost considerably more then $4800.

In 2009, the 26th Regiment N.C. Troops, Reactivated, the states largest reenactment group raised approximately $7500 to preserve their Regimental flag:

“We are most grateful for the conservation funding provided by the 26th,” says Tom Belton, curator of military history. “Their help is more essential than ever.” Each flag costs approximately $7,500 to conserve, and the 26th Regiment is covering the entire cost. Now other Civil War remembrance organizations are joining the 26th Regiment by adopting additional museum flags for conservation projects."

Adopting the 15th Iowa flags will be a costly adventure and all options to raise the necessary funds should be explored. Perhaps we should set our initial goal on just one flag. If this works out, then we can explore the possibility of adopting the other flags. Just something to think about. - - - - - We are looking at four 15th Iowa flags. The Regimental flag, the 2nd National the 15th Iowa carried, the last National the 15th Iowa carried with Battle Honors and one 15th Iowa Company flag.

Warren's idea is interesting:

"Here's another idea. I'm sure that many of us will be together not only in our companies, but as a battalion through much of this 150th cycle. What say you to a charitable project somehow centered around those we are portraying for each of these events we attend? I'm not talking big money here, but just a small portion of our event fees.
Thoughts?"

Yes, many of us will probably be together during the 150th cycle; but each year as a different unit. The 2nd Mississippi for the 150th Manassas Event 2011 and the 15th Iowa for the 150th Shiloh Event 2012. What will the units be for 2013, 1014 and 1015? Just what sort of charitable projects are possible?

I hope other members of the 15th Iowa will take the time to post their thoughts on this thread. We need all the input we can get.