Ft Blakely Flag returned tto Baldwin County

[GWagner]

My son and I went down this weekend to Robertsdale Alabama where the state of Illinois returned the Ft Blakely Garrison flag to the State of Alabama. This First National Pattern flag is 9ft X14ft, and has been beautifully preserved and is on display in Robertsdale, AL.

Some pics:

[FlatLandFed]

Re: Ft Blakely Flag returned tto Baldwin County

Thanks for the update on what happened to this historical artifact. Glad to see that it will be seen and enjoyed.

Quite a contrast to the treatment and follow-through of the captured Alabama standard that was donated by our State Historical Society (Curator: "It doesn't have anything to do with Nebraska." Me: Why not ask the descendants of the 20,000+ Civil War veterans buried in our state, including the GAR member who first donated it? but I digress.) and the reception it got from colleagues in Alabama. While the recipients seemed pleased to have it as it was just filed in storage and apparently forgotten, the Alabama museum representative quoted in our local newspaper article seemed to be saying, "Gee, that's nice -- we'll put it with the other 30+ Confederate battle flags we have in our collection."

No offer to reciprocate by sending back up north some item in their possession, no attempt to link descendants of the men who fought in that Alabama regiment with men who brought that proud banner home and displayed it at their Post as a momento of the deeds of their youth.

I think both sides missed a chance to educate the public about the importance of that relic to the Boys of 1861-1865. At least the local curator has sent me a catalog of items in their possession and agreed to allow buff and SUVCW to don white gloves and view them up close.

I'll try to find the link to the newspaper coverage if anyone wants to see the story.

Sorry to ramble on.
Paul Hadley
Lincoln, Neb.

Maybe I'm just grumpy today.

[Rmhisteach]

Re: Ft Blakely Flag returned tto Baldwin County

I am glad to see Illinois fianlly return the flag. Now if we could only preserve are own battle flags.
RM

[DannyJoe]

Re: Ft Blakely Flag returned tto Baldwin County

Paul,
Nope, you are not grumpy brother. Like any job, some people do it well and others are "clueless". As a person who has served on a museum board of directors, I have experienced both kinds of curators. I am sure that the people who are in the "know" are glad to have the battle flags of their ancestors back home. Perhaps, our ancestors of the GAR who captured those flags would approve also.
A few years ago, I was at a grave marker dedication for a Confederate soldier who is buried near Crandon, Wisconsin. The honor guard was primarily SUVCW members, but there were five members of the SCVCW present also. The SCVCW lads were from Kentucky. The grave was that of a member of the Orphan Brigade. The SCV lads were grateful that we cared about one of their ancestors. The SUVCW members expressed that the deceased was an American soldier and deserved to be honored as one. (If there are any SCV members reading this, take a look at your national magizine that is dated Jan-Feb 2008. There is a picture of me and a pard, who is a member of both the SCV and SUV, placing a new grave marker on the grave of William Barrington who served in the 18th Mississippi at Gettysburg and is buried near Waupaca, Wisconsin.)
In summary, I feel that returning flags and honoring the veterans of the Civil War by placing grave markers on their graves is a good thing and connects the living with those who fought and sacrificed in the American Civil War......the defining moment in our history as a Nation.
Dan McGraw
Proud descendant of:
Patrick Maher 1st Minn Cavalry
Charles Orth 2nd Minn Infantry (Present when Co G 2nd Minn captured battle flag of 15th Miss at Mill Springs. Flag returned to Mississippi and preserved at State Capitol Building in Jackson.)
Member:
Old Abe Camp 8 SUVCW Wisconsin

[rogue]

Re: Ft Blakely Flag returned tto Baldwin County

Rod,
Have you seen the Illinois flags at the National Guard Museum in Springfield?
Very impressive program of preservation IS underway.
Steve Sullivan

[Lucky]

Re: Ft Blakely Flag returned to Baldwin County, Alabama

This was a very unique experience. I personally feel very fortunate to have been asked to take part in the ceremony/dedication. Born and raised not 20 miles from the Blakeley battlefield, I had atleast 1 relative who fought very near that same flag during the siege around redoubt #4.

Captain from the 8th Illinois later recieved the CMH for "capturing" that flag.

Paul, I'd like to see that article if you can find it.

[FlatLandFed]

Re: Ft Blakely Flag returned tto Baldwin County

"In summary, I feel that returning flags and honoring the veterans of the Civil War by placing grave markers on their graves is a good thing and connects the living with those who fought and sacrificed in the American Civil War......the defining moment in our history as a Nation.
Dan McGraw"

Chums -- Brother Danny's comments remind me to remind all of us that Memorial Day is fast upon us. We each can in some way help honor our American soldiers on this important national holiday.

Brian -- I'll trade you the article (Lincoln Journal Star) for that federal rubber blanket I ordered haha. Lads, I saved the digital file on my computer at work (hmm -- guess I better just say my "other" computer) but will try to locate it and post. One of our Congressman the battle flag shipped to Washington where he presented it to a Congressman from Alabama so you see how that goes ...

Seemed to be in good enough shape to display now, but am not sure what is planned for it.

Am torn about what to do with such artifacts. Maybe they could be on loan between museums and circulate north and south? Part of me says they belong with the people who originally made them, part of me thinks the "victors" deserve the spoils, part of me just wants to have better access to kewl things!

Thanks.
Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Paul Hadley

[Rmhisteach]

Re: Ft Blakely Flag returned tto Baldwin County

Does any one know which of the Illinois Regiments took the flag at Blakely???? If memory serves the 76th Illinois took the parapit but not sure if they captured the flag.

Steve,

I was un aware of that . Last i knew they were in storage at Camp Lincoln.

RM

[GWagner]

Re: Ft Blakely Flag returned tto Baldwin County

Here is alink to a story on al.com

http://www.al.com/news/press-registe...010.xml&coll=3

[FlatLandFed]

Re: Ft Blakely Flag returned tto Baldwin County

Hope I'm not considered a hijacker to a good thread: here's the link to some information about the flag that was returned from Nebraska to Alabama recently. Sorry, I didn't find the newspaper archive, but this give the pertinent details and does a better job of reinforcing that the recipients do value their new acquisition and will proudly display it.

http://www.archives.state.al.us/press_release/1stalaflag.html

Thanks. Happy Armed Forces Day (May 17) and Happy Memorial Day (May 26 or May 30, depending on your point of view).
Paul Hadley

[Lucky]

Re: Ft Blakely Flag returned tto Baldwin County

Rod,

see above post.