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TROPHY FLAGS. 
 
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 PROCEEDINGS ATTENDING THE PRESENTATION 
 
 OF 
 
 REGIMENTAL COLORS 
 
 TO THE LEGISLATURE, 
 April 20, 1864. 
 
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 THIS WORK IS DEDICATED 
 
 VOLUxNTEER TROOPS FROM THE STATE OF NEW YORK, 
 
 TESTIMONY OF THEIR DEVOTION 
 
 COMMON COUNTRY. 
 
 JOHN T. SPRAGUE, Adjutant General. 
 
 Head Quarters State of New York, 
 Albany, N. Y., June 20, 1864. 
 
HIS KXCELLENCY 
 
 HORATIO SEYMOUR, 
 
 GOVERNOR, 
 
 COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 
 
 STAFF : 
 
 ADJUTANT GENERAL, 
 
 Brig. Gen. JOHN T. SPRAGUE, 
 
 (Lt. Col. 11th Infantry U. S. Army.) 
 INSPECTOR GENERAL, 
 
 Brig. Gen. JOSIAH T. MILLER. 
 
 ENGINEER-IN-CHIEF, 
 
 Brig. Gen. ISAAC VANDERPOEL. 
 
 JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL, 
 
 Brig. Gen. NELSON T. WATERBURY. 
 
 SURGEON general, 
 
 Brig. Gen. JOHN V. P. QUACKENBUSH. 
 
 quartermaster general. 
 
 Brig. Gen. S. VISSCHER TALCOTT. 
 
 paymaster general. 
 
 Col. JOHN D. VAN BUREN. 
 
 aid-de-camp, 
 Col. B. TIBBITS. 
 
 MILITARY secretary, 
 
 Maj. WILLIAM KIDD. 
 
PROCEEDINGS 
 
 IN REGARD TO THE 
 
 PRESENTATION OF REGIMENTAL FLAGS. 
 
 In Assembly, Wednesday, April 13, 1864. 
 
 By unanimous consent, on motion of Mr. 
 Crooke, 
 
 Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the Senate and As- 
 sembly will meet at this Chamber on Wednesday evening, 
 20th inst., at 1 o'clock, to receive the flags of volunteer 
 regiments of this State. 
 
 Mr. Crooke moved that a session of the House 
 be held on Wednesday evening for that purpose. 
 
 Mr. Speaker put the question, whether the 
 House would agree to said motion, and it was 
 determined in the affirmative. 
 
 Returned from Senate April 15th, with notice 
 of concurrence. 
 
BUREAU OF MtUTARV STATISTICS. 
 
 The Legislature in 1863, made provision for 
 an office, whose particular business it should be 
 to collect for preservation and future historical 
 use, the records and statistics which should tend 
 to illustrate the action of the people of the State 
 of New York in the present war. These inqui- 
 ries embraced biographies of officers and men, 
 the history of regiments, and the action of towns, 
 counties and cities, having reference to the rais- 
 ing of men or means for the war, or the support 
 of families of volunteers. 
 
 The Laws of 1864 (Chapter 51), made further 
 provision for continuing the Bureau of Military 
 Statistics, and for greatly extending its facilities. 
 
 A part of its duties related to the custody of 
 the flags of regiments whose term of service had 
 expired, and those colors which from wear and 
 injury were of no further use in the field. Of 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 these, nearly one hundred have now been col- 
 lected, and it is believed that ultimately the 
 greater part of these honored memorials of the 
 valor and patriotism of New York troops, will be 
 gathered into this repository. 
 
 On the 23d of April, 1863, seven regimental 
 ilags, which had been returned to the State, were 
 presented to the Governor, in the presence of the 
 Legislature, with impressive ceremonies. 
 
 The intention of the State Government in 
 adopting these measures, was mainly to express 
 to the world, and to place upon record in the 
 most solemn and eloquent manner, their high 
 appreciation of the services of its troops in the 
 field, and to convey to such as might then or 
 thereafter be engaged in the service, an assur- 
 ance that their patriotism and valor were known 
 and approved. While resting assured that these 
 troops would do or omit nothing that should dis- 
 honor themselves or the State, it was deemed 
 proper to bring prominently before their minds 
 the important truth, that their conduct was under 
 observation, and that their victories were a sub- 
 ject of gratification and pride to the State. A 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 motive was thus added for winning new laurels 
 in the campaign, and of adding a new lustre to 
 their fame. Every soldier might feel that upon 
 himself depended in some degree the reputation 
 and honor of the Empire State, and that his 
 personal character was pledged in their main- 
 tenance and defence. 
 
 During the year 1863, and early months of 
 1864, many flags were added to the collections 
 of the Bureau of Military Statistics, and of these 
 fifty that had been borne by regiments and 
 batteries in the field, were presented by the 
 Governor to the Legislature, convened for that 
 occasion, in the Assembly Chamber, on the 
 evening of April 20th, 1864. To the proceed- 
 ings upon that occasion, and to the history of 
 the flags then presented, the present work is 
 devoted. 
 
 The Bureau of Military Statistics is now 
 authorized to receive worn out flags from organ- 
 izations still in the service, in exchange for new. 
 The law provides that requisitions for new flags 
 claimed under this act, shall be made by the 
 commanding officers of regiments upon the Quar- 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 ter Master General, and that they shall be 
 accompanied by a certificate of the Chief of the 
 Bureau of Military Statistics, that the old flag 
 with its accompanying history has been deposited 
 in his office. 
 
 The Bureau is also forming a museum of arti- 
 cles of military interest connected with the 
 present war, and arrangements are being made 
 for the preservation of its collections against 
 chance of accident, and for their public display. 
 
 As extensive a collection as possible is being 
 made of biographical notices, journals and narra- 
 tives, published documents, correspondence and 
 original papers. These will be carefully kept 
 for future reference and use, under such regula- 
 tions as may be deemed necessarj^ for their safety. 
 Such photographic or other portraits of officers 
 or privates, as may be contributed to the collec- 
 tion, will be indexed and bound, or otherwise 
 preserved. 
 
 The active co-operation of officers and soldiers 
 now or formerly in the public service, is soli- 
 cited in increasing the collections already begun. 
 The united efforts of our citizens may it is hoped, 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 form a collection that will acquire interest and 
 value commensurate with the magnitude and 
 importance of the subject, and present a lasting 
 evidence of the patriotic eiforts of the people of 
 New York in the preservation of the Union, in 
 the present great national crisis. 
 
 All communications or donations intended for 
 this purpose, should be addressed to 
 
 CoL. LOCKWOOD L. DOTY, 
 Chief of Bureau of MUitary Statistics, 
 
 Albamj, N. Y. 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 PROCEEDINGS ON PRESENTATION OF FLAGS. 
 
 The Assembly met at the appointed hour, and 
 being called to order, committees were appointed 
 to wait upon the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, 
 Adjutant General, and Senate, to notify them 
 that they were in readiness to receive them. 
 
 The Senate having arrived, were seated in 
 front of the Speaker's desk. The flags were 
 then brought in, each one being borne by a 
 young gentleman who volunteered for the occa- 
 sion, and arranged in a double line along the 
 middle aisle of the Assembly Chamber. 
 
 The Governor, Adjutant General and Military 
 Staff, accompanied by the Assembly Committees, 
 consisting of Gen. Crooke, Col. Bullock, Capt. 
 FiLKiNS, Capt. Oswald and Capt. Parker, then 
 came in and took their places, the Governor in 
 the Chair presiding, with the Speaker of the 
 Assembly on his right. 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 A large number of citizens and ladies were 
 present, and a band of music was in attendance. 
 
 After the convention had been called to order, 
 Adjutant General Sprague arose and delivered 
 the following address : 
 
 " ' In Rama there was a voice heard ; lament- 
 ation, and weeping, and great moaning : Rachel 
 weeping for her children, and would not be com- 
 forted because thej are not.' 
 
 " To-night there is a voice coming up to us 
 throughout this land, reverberating within these 
 walls with fearful emphasis and melancholy 
 cadence, breaking upon the hearts of many now 
 within the sound of my voice : it is the wail of 
 America weeping for her children, 
 
 " It is meet for us to be here to-night, my 
 countrymen, and may we, like the patriarch of 
 old, come up high upon Mount Horeb to worship. 
 Here let us burn incense upon the altar of our 
 country, and may the smoke of the sacrifice rise 
 above these venerated walls, surmounting the 
 hills around us, and settle down upon every 
 heart in our distracted land. 
 
 Why this forest of banners here to-night ? 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 spectres of bloody battle-fields; cerements of 
 the grave ; fit garments for brave men. It is 
 because our country is rent by a civil war. Every 
 one of these have a tale of fearful and eventful 
 interest, of joy and sorrow, of glory and renown. 
 " Those stars, now dimmed by the sulphurous 
 smoke of the battle-field, once glittered and 
 shone forth from many a secluded hamlet, from 
 true and patriotic hearts throughout the State. 
 Those stripes once shot forth like the radiance 
 of a morning's sun, from cities, villages and 
 associations, until they coruscated into the 
 expressive banner of our country ; while the 
 dark eagle — emblematic of our greatness and 
 power — soared aloft and swept its way to the 
 battle-field, amid the universal shouts of a patri- 
 otic and indignant people. Many a father gave 
 a hearty farewell to his only son, as the tears 
 coursed down the gorges of his manly cheek. 
 Mothers clasped to their bosoms the support of 
 their declining years, and bade God speed them 
 to the battle-field. Wives clung tenaciously to 
 the companions of their lives, while the house- 
 hold extended their tiny hands to bid a last fare- 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 well. She whose heart swelled with fervor and 
 affection in ' love's young dream,' tore asunder 
 the cords that bound her, and with pride and 
 enthusiasm saw in him the brave defender of her 
 country's honor. 
 
 , " The shifting scenes of the drama have 
 passed before us, and these banners have re- 
 turned to narrate with graphic power, tales of 
 sorroAv and trials, as well as of fidelity, patriot- 
 ism and renown. The eagle spreads his dark 
 plumage o'ershadowing us with sadness, and 
 perches upon many a solitary threshold within 
 the limits of this State. Such a representation 
 as we have here to-night, comes home to us with 
 many salutary lessons of instruction. 
 
 " It grapples with our hearts, arouses our sensi- 
 bilities, awakens within us sober reflection, and 
 bewilders the mind, when we attempt to with- 
 draw the veil obscuring the future, and the cry 
 involuntary comes forth, how long ! Oh, how 
 long shall our country be rent by a civil war ! 
 
 " It is better for us to-night to be in the house 
 of mourning than in the house of feasting. This 
 
 is a time for serious reflection, when we should 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 look at facts and events without disguise. In 
 this terrible conflict now raging for the restora- 
 tion of our country, the crisis has come. We 
 are to conquer or be conquered. Our destiny is 
 to restore the power of our country, the suprem- 
 acy of our rights and our laws, our Constitution 
 and the Union. If we fail in this, the iron 
 yoke of bondage is upon us, and we become a 
 by-word and a reproach to the civilized world. 
 
 " The fearful passions of revenge will ravage 
 our land, and our hearthstones will be made deso- 
 late with fire and with blood. Your hoarded 
 wealth will be turned to cinders, and your gold 
 to dross. This war can only be terminated by 
 the power, by the energy and fidelity of the peo- 
 ple. Blood and treasure must be staked, which, 
 with a wise, sagacious, and charitable statesman- 
 ship, our country will be restored. Men of all 
 classes must come up to the work without parti- 
 san or fiinatical zeal, and with pure and patriotic 
 sentiments. Personal and political feelings must 
 be subdued ; and whatever may be the difference 
 of opinion, accord to each, in charity, integrity 
 and fidelity, in maintaining the power and supre 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 macy of our country. Maintain our Govern- 
 ment ; give to its measures a cordial support ; 
 and if successful, it will meet a corresponding 
 reward. If otherwise, punishment will ensue 
 from the condemnation of the world. It is the 
 people who control ; look to it with care, wisdom 
 and caution. In my opinion this war has but 
 commenced ; one part of the country is a battle- 
 field where homes are desolated and wives and 
 children are seeking shelter and food. Here, in 
 our midst, extravagance, plethoric wealth, joy 
 and carelessness prevail, and thousands are 
 hoarding treasure gleaned from the blood of our 
 countrymen. The rich man plies the measure of 
 his demands as embarrassments increase, wrung 
 from the daily toil of the soldier, the citizen, 
 and the poor who earn their daily bread by the 
 sweat of their brow. 
 
 " Our streets are thronged by young and hearty 
 men, as money keeps them from the conflict of 
 arms. Money — gold — has become the repre- 
 sentative of patriotism. That pure and genial 
 flame that was ignited in the hearts of our fore- 
 fathers, securing to us the institutions we so long 
 3 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 enjoyed, has become dimmed ; it is a phosiohoric 
 lioht that olitters, but is cold. 
 
 " Being so far removed from the conflicts 
 which we have observed for three years past, we 
 have not realized the revenge and vindictive- 
 ness of the enemy. The strife is now in the 
 midst of us, around us, and before us. We have 
 been made the instruments in the hands of a 
 wise Providence, for the accomplishment of some 
 great end, or for our punishment as a nation. 
 Our course has been one of vain boasting, and 
 self-reliance, not with penitential reverence for 
 the blessings received. Patriotism is a reli- 
 gion allied to our God. Without it, pure and 
 unaffected, no nation can be saved. This pic- 
 ture may not be acceptable, but they are facts — 
 unmistakable facts, and we should meet them 
 like men. Let us draw lessons of instruction 
 from the past, and look with courage and confi- 
 dence to the future, keeping steadily in view the 
 motto — ' conquer or be conquered.' 
 
 " With all this we have much to be proud of in 
 the events which have transpired during the past 
 three vears. The soldier is well cared for. The 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 United States Hospital Department is perfect in 
 its details, and administered with vigor and 
 liberality by its efficient officers. Upwards of a 
 million and a half of dollars have been raised hy 
 Military- Fairs in this State. The Sanitary and 
 Christian Commission have been untiring in 
 their zeal and devotion. The State has a depot 
 for the soldier in the city of New York, in which 
 twenty-seven thousand men have been made 
 comforta))le and happy during the past year. 
 Our armies have been victorious, and the ranks 
 are being filled b^^ patriotic and devoted men. 
 Crushing this rebellion and restoring our coun- 
 try, is but a question of time. 
 
 " This State has sent to the field 293,000 men, 
 and it would be strange, indeed, if there should 
 not be mingled in their experience, much that is 
 sorrowful, as well as the pride and glory sur- 
 rounding achievements. 
 
 " These banners come back to us without 
 reproach. There are now in the field upwards 
 of one hundred and thirty thousand men from 
 this State. Should occasion require, more are 
 prepared to go. 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 " From the records now before me, which I 
 shall read, there is enough to cause every citizen 
 to be proud of his native State, and to cause a 
 feeling of gratitude and of pride, that ' Excel- 
 sior ' can be inscribed upon her banners without 
 
 reproach. 
 
 ^ # # * # % 
 
 *' My task is done. As ^^our representative, 
 and on behalf of those brave men now in the 
 field, and in the presence of both Houses of the 
 Legislature, I deposit these colors in the Statis- 
 tical Bureau of this State, and it is to be hoped 
 that not a long time may elapse before an appro- 
 priate building will be erected where they can 
 be displayed in all time to come. There let the 
 breezes of Heaven blow gently on their gaping 
 wounds, amid the smiles and caresses of a free, 
 intelligent, loyal and happy people. 
 
 "The ivy may cling its tendrils around the 
 sturdy oak, but the parent trunk must die. 
 
 " The moss of ages may gather upon moulder- 
 ing stones, broken columns, and the architecture 
 of the age ; but the memory of these defenders 
 of our country will live in a perennial green, 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 and their names will be inscribed in letters of 
 eternal and living light upon the escutcheon of 
 their country. 
 
 " Spirits of the departed brave, if you are per- 
 mitted to look down upon our devotions here 
 to-night, assemble around the immortal Washing- 
 ton, and hear the accents of a grateful people. 
 Peace ! Peace ! we will watch with pious care 
 the laurels that shade your urns, and wear your 
 names engraven upon our hearts." 
 
 The flags were then brought forAvard by regi- 
 ments in their numerical order, and the history 
 of each was read by the Adjutant General, as 
 hereinafter given. 
 
 Mr. Alvord, the Speaker of the Assembly, 
 then arose and made the following remarks : 
 
 " Unprepared on this occasion, from the cir- 
 cumstances which surround this period of time, 
 yet at the request of those gathered together 
 here, I shall say a few words to you. It is with 
 mingled feelings of sad solemnity and joyousness 
 that I do address you — a solemnity which has 
 been impressed upon me by the words of the 
 distinguished gentleman who has this night, in 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 the name of the regiments, presented these flags 
 to take their place in the archives of the State. 
 For he has spoken of troublous times which these 
 flags have seen — of the blood, the slaughter, 
 and the dead which have marked their pathway 
 in the battles which have raged around them as 
 they have been borne forth in the conflict ; but, 
 at the same time, with a joyous and buoyant 
 feeling, I welcome these flags home again to 
 their native soil of the State of New York, for 
 it shows that her sons have fought nobly and 
 w^ell in this struggle for her country's good and 
 for her maintenance and her perpetuity. We 
 are fighting a battle in wdiich we have got to 
 conquer or die. We are fighting a battle in 
 which is to be established for all time that God 
 has written in the decrees of Heaven that man 
 is to work it out upon earth that he is capable of 
 self-government, and that we shall in the end be 
 free. Many of these flags have been borne forth 
 by regiments who, to-day, w^ith a more firm step 
 than when they first went forth, are now press- 
 ing upon the last recesses of the enemies of our 
 country. 
 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 "Aye, and I tell you that out of the remnants 
 and battles which are here shown to you, there 
 will come up a brighter and nobler banner in the 
 future — our stars will be inci'eased in multi- 
 tude — our stripes will float over a free and 
 happy people from one end of the country to the 
 otlier. And welcome are these Hags to the 
 archives of our State, for each and every one of 
 them is a page in its history. And I welcome 
 them for another reason. Parti/an feeling and 
 party strifes sink into insigniiicance before them, 
 for the blood of all of us has mingled in this 
 strife — there has been no distinction — brothers 
 have stood shoulder to shoulder with brothers, 
 and exposed their lives to overcome the enemies 
 of their country, I trust that these banners will 
 bind around us the silken chains of concord and 
 unity. I know that whatever may be our bick- 
 erings here, when the time shall come, if it must 
 needs come, it will l)e tlie one universal thought 
 and action upon the part of the people of the 
 North to fiolit on and fioht ever, until the banner 
 of our country, undimmed of any stars, and with 
 no stripes removed from it, shall float free over 
 
 F 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 the land, from Maine to the Gulf, from the 
 Atlantic to the Pacific. I thank you for having 
 thus far listened to me. I have nothing further 
 to say, except to introduce to you upon this occa- 
 sion, as the presiding officer of this assemblage, 
 one whose eloquence needs no eulogium from my 
 tongue, and whose heart beats as warmly and as 
 honestly for the Union as that of any among us." 
 
 His Excellency, Governor Seymour, arose and 
 addressed the assemblage as follows : 
 
 " With a wise and patriotic liberality, this State 
 has provided that the history of every regiment 
 it has sent to the war shall be preserved, and 
 that there shall be a place where shall be depo- 
 sited the banners which they have borne in the 
 contests in which .they have been engaged. I 
 am sure that the heart of every man within the 
 sound of my voice, has been moved this night, 
 when he has seen these banners brought back 
 again into our State, so sad, and yet so glorious. 
 
 " Every one has been proud of our State, 
 when we heard from the lips of General Sprague, 
 from whence these banners went. That some 
 were sent from the Great Metropolis, some from 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 the shores of our great lakes, others from the 
 shores of Lake Champlain, and others again from 
 the valleys of the Mohawk, the Delaware, the 
 Susquehanna, or the Allegany. From whatever 
 part of our State they have gone, they went 
 from sections that had already a glorious history. 
 The whole history of New York, from its begin- 
 ning to this day, has been an honorable one. It 
 has required no stretch of imagination to pic- 
 ture to ourselves the scene when these brave, 
 bold and stalwart men went forth from the hills 
 and valleys and cities of our land to battle for 
 our flag. You have seen them from time to time, 
 returning here shattered and broken, the mere 
 remnants of those glorious bands, which excited 
 our admiration and our enthusiasm on their 
 departure. And in their history you have an 
 epitome of the whole war. The banners that 
 have been presented to you this night have been 
 fanned by the breezes of Carolina, have been 
 dampened with the dews that have Mien in the 
 swamps of Virginia, have drooped under the 
 almost tropical sun of Louisiana, have floated 
 high in the heavens ' in the battle above the 
 4 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 clouds,' at Lookout Mountain, where, under their 
 folds, we won an honorable victory. It is well 
 that our State on this occasion has shown its 
 ancient fidelity to the flag of our country, to the 
 Union of these States, and to the Constitution 
 of our land. It is fit and becoming that this 
 great State, on whose soil this flag of ours was 
 first given to the breezes of Heaven, and which 
 was first displayed in defence of the very spot 
 on which we now stand, shall be foremost in its 
 defence. The State of New York has nearly 
 130,000 men in the field. During the whole of 
 this contest, it has furnished one-fifth of our 
 armies, I believe I may say that her sons have 
 been inferior to none in their bravery, their 
 devotion, their courage or their patriotism. 
 
 " I will not attempt to add to the emotions 
 you have felt upon the display of these flags. I 
 have no eloquence which shall compare with that 
 of these mute emblems, whose very rags and 
 tatters are made glorious with the memories and 
 histories of martial achievements. I have only 
 to add a fervent prayer that all the sacrifices that 
 have been made, that the blood which has been 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 poured forth, may not have been made and shed 
 in vain. May Almighty God, in his providence, 
 grant that all these things may tend to the wel- 
 fare, the glory, and the honor of this land of ours. 
 In the midst of the darkness which now over- 
 hangs us, in view of the uncertainties of the 
 contest, with the full knowledge that still further 
 life must be rendered up, and still more blood be 
 shed for the cause in which we are engaged, 
 placing full reliance upon a wisdom greater than 
 man's wisdom, and trusting in a goodness and 
 a mercy far superior to that which can actuate 
 the human breast, we hope that these sacrifices 
 may end in our country's glory and honor. I 
 receive, on behalf of the great State, whose 
 Chief Magistrate I am, these emblems of the 
 valor and the patriotism of our sons. They will 
 be set aside and preserved, monuments of the 
 devotion of our people in the struggle for the 
 success and glory of our common country." 
 
 Gen. Crooke responded : 
 
 " He said the main reason for his consenting 
 to speak, was to speak with reference to his own 
 locality. The reason why Long Island had no 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 representative among the flags was, that they 
 felt so proud of their trophies, that they would 
 not let them be taken from Brooklyn. They 
 preferred to keep them there. He was glad that 
 mention had been made of the militia. He was 
 proud of the militia. He referred to the 14th 
 Brooklyn regiment, which rejoiced in being 
 called the Militia of the Army of the Potomac. 
 The militia did amount to something, and it had 
 sometimes been said that he had ' militia on the 
 brain.' Let it be so understood. He was ready 
 to make sacrifices for that branch of the service. 
 To a great extent, the militia of the State owed 
 its efficiency to Governor Seymour. 
 
 " The Governor had done much to aid in the 
 organization, and it was proper that he should 
 have credit. He felt more sanguine of the result 
 of the contest in which we are engaged than 
 Gen. Sprague had expressed. He did not feel 
 despondent. He could not but feel that the 
 result would be successful and glorious, and he 
 presumed he should think so if the war was 
 to continue for ten years to come. He be- 
 lieved the ladies sympathized with him in this 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 opinion, for they always had confidence in good 
 results." 
 
 The following lines, written by Alfred B. 
 Street, State Librarian, were prepared for the 
 occasion : 
 
 Aye, bring back the banners and fold them in rest ! 
 They have wrought their high mission, their holy behest ! 
 Stained with blood, scorched with flame, hanging tattered and 
 
 torn, 
 Yet dearer, by far, than when, bright, they were borne 
 By brave hearts to glory ! 
 
 As we gaze at their tatters, what battle-fields rise, 
 Fields flashing in deeds of sublimest emprise ? 
 When earth rocked with thunder, the sky glared with fire, 
 And Havoc's red pinion dashed onward in ire ! 
 Deeds deathless in glory ! 
 
 Press the stars to the lips, clasp the stripes to the heart ! 
 Let us swear their grand memories shall not depart ! 
 They have waved in this contest of Freedom and Right, 
 And our Eagle shall waft them, wide streaming in light, 
 To our summit of glory ! 
 
 There — hope darting beacons, starred shrines — shall they 
 
 glow. 
 Lighting Liberty's way to the breast of the foe ; — 
 Till her spear smites with splendor the gloom, and our sun, 
 One broad central orb, shall again brighten one 
 Mighty nation of glory ! 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 The ceremonies of the evening being com- 
 pleted, the Governor and Senate withdrew, and 
 the Speaker declared the House adjourned to the 
 stated hour for business on the following daj. 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 COLORS OF THE tOTH REGIMENT N. Y. S. V. 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 This flag was presented by the city of New 
 York, on the departure of the 10th regiment to 
 the seat of war. 
 
 It was the first American flag raised over the 
 Custom House at Norfolk, Va., after its recovery 
 by Union troops, and was borne in the Seven 
 Days before Richmond, 2d Bull Run, Antietam 
 and Fredericksburgh. At the latter place it was 
 shot from the hands of the bearer. Several of 
 the guard were killed under it. The 10th regi- 
 ment left a battalion of four companies that has 
 since been increased to six, in the field, upon the 
 return of the main body at the expiration of its 
 two years term. The flag is transmitted to the 
 State Archives by Major Geo. F. Hooper. 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 COLORS OF THE t2TH REGIMENT N. V. S. V. 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 This regiment was organized at Syracuse, 
 although Constantia, Batavia and Homer each 
 furnished a company. At Syracuse, upon leav- 
 ing for the seat of war (May 2d, 1861), the ladies 
 presented this flag, which has been carried 
 through every service in which it has been 
 engaged. At the expiration of two years, the 
 regiment returned, and the flag was placed in 
 the custody of the State. 
 
 The 12th regiment was engaged in the battle 
 of Blackburn's Ford, and at Bull Run was in 
 reserve. After spending many months building 
 and guarding forts in front of Washington, it 
 was sent to the Peninsula, where it was engaged 
 in the Seige of Yorktown, and the battles of 
 Hanover Court House, Gaines' Mill, Savage's 
 Station, White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill. 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 Returning to the front of Washington, it partici- 
 pated in the Second Battle of Bull Run, and 
 afterwards in the campaign in Maryland, and 
 the battle of Fredericksburgh. It was during 
 the period of active field service, a part of the 
 3d Brigade, 1st Division of the 5th Army Corps. 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 COLORS OF THE tSTH REGIMENT N. V. S. V. 
 
 (Three Flags.) 
 
 Three flags, two the National colors and one 
 an embroidered banner, have been returned by 
 the 13th regiment to the custody of the State 
 for preservation. 
 
 The regirdental banner was presented by the 
 ladies of Rochester. 
 
 The new National flag was carried in the first 
 battle of Bull Run only. The holes in the union 
 were made upon that occasion. 
 
 The old National flag was carried habitually 
 on the march and in action. 
 
 The 13th regiment was raised in Rochester, 
 under Colonel, now General Isaac Quimby, in 
 April, 1861, and with the 12th N. Y. Volunteers, 
 were the first troops to pass through Baltimore 
 after the riot of April 19th, and the attack upon 
 the 6th Massachusetts regiment. It participated 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 in the First Battle of Bull Bun, Seige of York- 
 TOAVN, battles of Hanover Court House, Mechan- 
 icsville, Gaines' Mill, Turkey Bend, Malvern 
 Hill, Second Bull Run, Antietam (in reserve), 
 Shepardstown, and Fredericksburgh. The regi- 
 ment, after an honorable service of two years, 
 was mustered out on the 14th of May, 1863. 
 The flags are transmitted to the Bureau of Mili- 
 tary Statistics, by Col. E. G. Marshall. 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 COLORS OF THE t4TH REGIMENT N. V. S. V. 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 This regiment was organized at Albany, from 
 companies raised in Utica, Rome, Boonville, 
 Batavia, Lowville and Hudson. It joined the 
 army of the Potomac in June, 1861, and was 
 engaged in the Seige of Yorktown, and in the 
 battles of New Bridge, Hanover Court House, 
 Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, Malvern Hill, 
 Second Bull Run, Shepardstown, Fredericks- 
 burgh and Chancellorsville. 
 
 The 14th regiment received this banner from 
 the hand of Governor Morgan, on its departure 
 for the field, and on the expiration of its term 
 of enlistment, it was returned to Governor Sey- 
 mour soiled and tattered, but not dishonored. In 
 reporting the history of the regiment, it is 
 added with commendable pride that the \Uh never 
 had its 'pickets driven in, and never turned its back to 
 the enemy in battle. 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS, 
 
 COLORS OF THE t6TH REGIMENT N. V. 8. V. 
 
 (Two Flags.) 
 
 These flags were presented by Mrs. Joseph 
 Rowland of Fishkill, N. Y., the banner in June, 
 1861, and the National flag, at Camp Franklin, 
 near Alexandria, in March, 1862, when Col. 
 HowLAND assumed command of the regiment. 
 These flags have been borne in eighteen battles, 
 skirmishes and reconnoisances, the principal of 
 which were West Point, Va., Gaines' Mill, and 
 the six following days of fighting and marching ; 
 Crampton Gap, Antietam, 1st and 2d Frede- 
 RiCKSBURGH. At Gaines' Mill the Color Bearers 
 were three times shot down, and every one of 
 the Color Guard was either killed or wounded 
 except one. The staff of the regimental flag 
 was struck by a ball, while in the hands of the 
 Color Bearer, and the ferule indented so that it 
 could not be moved on the stafl*. At Crampton 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 Gap, Corp. Charles H. Conant was instantly 
 killed by a Minnie ball through the head while 
 holding one of the flags, and Corp. Robert Wat- 
 son of the Color Guard, was shot through the 
 leg. In this action the regiment, in charging 
 upon the enemy, captured a rebel battle-flag 
 from an Alabama regiment. 
 
 Upon the expiration of its term of two years, 
 the 16th regiment returned with its colors, which 
 were presented to his Excellency, the Governor, 
 to be deposited in the Bureau of Military Sta- 
 tistics, the pledge given by the regiment to the 
 donor, to " stand by, defend and preserve them," 
 having been faithfully and honorably redeemed. 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 COLORS OF THE t7TH REGIMENT ti. V. S. V. 
 
 (Tlirce Flags.) 
 
 One National flag and two banners have been 
 returned by this regiment. 
 
 The National flag, much worn, was presented 
 to the regiment by eight lady friends of Col. 
 Lansing, and the blue banner by the city of New 
 York. This regiment, sometimes known as the 
 "Westchester Chasseurs," was organized in New 
 York, and participated in the Seige of Yorktown, 
 and battles of Hanover Court House (where it 
 captured the first cannon taken from the enemy 
 by the army of the Potomac), Groveton (where 
 it lost 13 officers and 250 men, killed and 
 wounded), Antietam, Fredericksburgh and Chan- 
 
 CELLORSVILLE. 
 
 The 17th regiment was brigaded with the 3d 
 Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Army Corps, and its 
 two years term of service expired in the spring 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 of 1863. A veteran regiment made up in part 
 of men who served in this command, is now in 
 the field, and is serving in the Department of 
 the Southwest. 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 COLORS 0? THE I8TH HECIMENT n. V. S. V. 
 
 (Owe Flajj,-.) 
 
 This flag was presented to the 18th regiment, 
 Col. Wm. A. Jackson, bj his lady friends of 
 Albany, June 1, 1861, shortly before departure 
 for the field. It bears the inscription " Hally 
 around them." 
 
 This regiment was organized at Albany, from 
 companies enlisted in Albany, Schenectad}^, 
 Fishkill, Walkill, Middletown and Ogdensburgh. 
 It was engaged in the battles of First Bull Run, 
 West Point, Gaines' Mill, Charles City Cross 
 Roads, Malvern Hill, Crampton Pass, Antieta.m, 
 First and Second Fredericksburgh, and Chancel- 
 LORSViLLE. Upon the expiration of the term of 
 enlistment, this regiment returned home, and the 
 colors were placed in the custody of the State by 
 Col. Geo. R. Myers, the last Colonel, wdio led the 
 regiment in all its services after leaving the 
 Peninsula, in August, 1862. 
 6 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 colons OF THE 24TH REGIMENT N. V. S. V. 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 This regiment was organized at Oswego, and 
 was mostly enlisted in that county. It entered 
 the field in 1861 ; served during the active 
 campaign of 1862, and upon its returning after 
 two years' service, placed this flag in the 
 State archives. It is inscribed with its own 
 history : Upon one side " Falmouth, Rappahan- 
 nock Station, Warrenton Springs, Gainesville, 
 Groveton, 2d Bull Run, South Mountain, Antie- 
 tam, Fredericksburgh, Rappahannock Crossing, 
 Chancellorsville," and upon the other: "24th 
 Regiment, Iron Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Army 
 Corps." 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 COLORS or THE 26TH REGIMENT N. V. S. V. 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 This regiment Avas organized at Elmira, from 
 companies raised in Utica, Hamilton, Rochester 
 and Tioga county. It served in the campaign 
 of Virginia, under Gen. Pope; and in Maryland, 
 under McClellan ; followed the enemy as he 
 retired into Virginia, and returned at the expira- 
 tion of its two years term of service. This flag 
 was transmitted to the State archives, with the 
 following letter : 
 
 " To Gen. J. T. Sprague, > 
 
 Adjutant General, N. Y. ) 
 " Sir: I have the honor to return to the cus- 
 tody of the State of New York, the colors car- 
 ried by this regiment since June, 1861. They 
 have been borne through every battle of Eastern 
 Virginia, and under their folds have fallen five 
 good and true men. * * # * # 
 
 We return them to the State from which we 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 received them, well knowing they will be cher- 
 ished as mementoes of the living and the dead. 
 They bear the marks of bullets, and of the 
 blood of those who defended them, and, as such, 
 will always be regarded with respect and vene- 
 ration by those who are left to mourn the loss of 
 their comrades on the field of battle. 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 K H. RICHARDSON, 
 Col. Commanding 26th N. Y. Vols. 
 
 This regiment was at the battles of Cedar 
 Mountain, Rappahannock Station, Thoroughfare 
 Gap, Groveton, South Mountain, Antietam, 
 Fredericksburgh and Chancellorsville. 
 
 At Groveton, about 150 were killed and 
 wounded; at Antietam, 30; and at Fredericks- 
 burgh, 162. 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 COLORS OF THE 27TH REGIMENT N. V. S> V. 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 This regiment was organized at Elmira, from 
 companies raised in Rochester, Binghamton, 
 Lyons, Angelica and Lima, and entered the 
 field under Col. Slocum, since promoted to the 
 rank of Major General in command of a corps. 
 CoL. Bartlett, who succeeded, was also pro- 
 moted to the command of a division. 
 
 The 27th regiment received this flag. May 22d, 
 1861, from Company G., and this company the 
 same da}^ received it from Mrs. Philip Church of 
 Belvidere. It was borne in the battles of 1st 
 Bull Run, Mechanicsville, West Point, Gaines' 
 Mill, Goldsborough's Farm, Chickahominy, White 
 Oak Creek, Malvern Hill, Crampton Pass, Antie- 
 tam, and the 1st and 2d battles of Fredericks- 
 burgh. The bearer at Gaines' Mill was severely 
 wounded. The flag has been many times struck 
 
t 
 
 46 PRESENTATION OF 
 
 by the enemy's shot, and the larger holes were 
 made by fragments of shell. 
 
 The star in the case appended to the lance, 
 was literally shot out of the flag, while the regi- 
 ment was storming the Heights of Fredericks- 
 burgh, in May, 1863. It was contributed to the 
 Bureau of Military Statistics by A. L. Van Ness, 
 of Dansville, N. Y., who was the Color Bearer in 
 that assault. The flag itself was transmitted by 
 CoL. Adams. 
 
CUtOON OF THE 28TH REGIMENT N. V. 8. V. 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 At the battle of Cliancellorsville, John Otto 
 Swan of Medina, aged 15 years (enlisted as a 
 drummer, and then acting as a marker), displayed 
 great activity and energy. A soldier of Com- 
 pany E was shot dead, when the boy took this 
 flag from its staff, put it in his pocket, adjusted 
 upon himself the accoutrements of the dead sol- 
 dier, and fought gallantly in the ranks, until 
 with 65 men and 3 officers he was taken prisoner. 
 Concealing the flag under the lining of his coat, 
 he kept it with him when taken to Richmond, 
 and managed to bring it aAvay unobserved Avhen 
 exchanged and sent home. 
 
 The flag is deposited by the lad's father, as an 
 honorable memorial of the services of a patriotic 
 
 son, 
 
 The other flags of the regiment were lost in 
 the service. 
 
PRESENTATION OP 
 
 COLORS OF THE 29TH RECtMENT N. V. S. V. 
 
 (Three FSags.) 
 
 This regiment was composed exclusively of 
 Germans, and was organized in New York under 
 Col. (now General) A. Von Steinweiir. It was 
 engaged in the 1st Battle of Bull Run, Cross 
 Keys, Warrenton Sulphur Springs, 2d Bull Bun, 
 and Chancellorsville, and upon the expiration of 
 the two years' term of the regiment, its flags 
 were placed for preservation in the State ar- 
 chives. The 29th was a part of the 1st Brigade, 
 2d Division, 11th Army Corps, and during the 
 active period of the campaign of 18G2, served 
 under General Fremont, in the Mountain Depart- 
 ment, and in the Corps of General Sigel, in the 
 army of Virginia. It went to the field with 745 
 men, and returned with 339. During the two 
 years, 33 men were killed fighting under these 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 COLORS OF THE 32D RECtMENT N. V. S. V. 
 
 (Tivo Flags.) 
 
 This regiment was originally intended to serve 
 under Col. Baker of California, and for a time 
 was called the " 1st California Kegiment." It 
 was organized on Staten Island, from companies 
 enlisted in Johnstown, Amsterdam, Ithaca, Tar- 
 rytown and New York city, and served as a part 
 of the 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 6th Corps. 
 
 The National flag was presented to the o2d 
 regiment, June 28th, 1861, by the lady of the 
 Hon. Wm. Laimbier, Jr., of New York city ; and 
 the banner, by the city of New York, in the fall 
 of 1861. 
 
 This regiment was engaged in the First Bat- 
 tle OF Bull Run, West Point, Gaines' Mill, 
 White OUk Swamp, Charles City Cross Roads, 
 2d Bull Run, Crampton Pass, Antietam, Frede- 
 RiCKSBURGH and Chancellorsville. During its 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 two years' term of service, the 32d regiment 
 lost 34 killed, and 127 wounded in action Its 
 colonel and major were mortally wounded at 
 Crampton Pass, where the regiment charged on 
 the enemy, and assisted in driving them up and 
 over the mountain with heavy loss. 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 COLORS OF THE 34TH REGIMENT N. V. S. V. 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 This regiment was organized at Albany, in 
 May, 1861. Five of its companies were enrolled 
 in Herkimer county, two in Steuben, one in 
 Clinton, one in Essex, and one in West Troy, 
 Albany county. It was mustered into the serv- 
 ice of the United States, June 15th, and soon 
 after being sent to the seat of war, was assigned 
 to duty in Maryland on the upper Potomac. 
 
 It participated in the battle of Ball's Bluff, 
 the Seige of Yorktown, battles of West Point, 
 Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, Peach Orchard Station, 
 Savage's Station, White Oak Swamp, Glendale, 
 Malvern Hill, South Mountain, Antietam, Ash- 
 by's Gap, and Fredericksburgh. 
 
 The 34th was brigaded with the 1st Brigade, 
 2d Division, 2d Army Corps. 
 
TRESENTATION OF 
 
 colons OF THE 37TH REGIMENT M. V. S. V. 
 
 (Tliree Flags.) 
 
 This Regiment was raised in New York city, 
 and was sometimes known as the " Irish Rifles." 
 
 Upon the expiration of its two years' term, it 
 placed in the custody of the Bureau of Military 
 Statistics, seven flags, including two guidons and 
 two designation flags, together Avith all its papers 
 and records. 
 
 The National flag that shows the greatest 
 amount of service, was received by the regiment, 
 when it arrived in Washington in July, 1861. 
 In camp or in bivouack it was always before the 
 regimental headquarters, and it was borne in the 
 following battles : 1st Bull Run (in reserve), 
 
 WiLLIAMSBURGH, FaIR OakS, GlENDALE, MaLVERN 
 
 Hill, 2d Bull Run, Chantilly, Fredericksburgh 
 and Chancellorsville. It was also with the 
 resriment in the Seige of Yorktown, and in seve 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 ral skirmishes on the Occoquan, in front of York- 
 town, Richmond, &c. 
 
 The Green bcanner was presented by the city 
 of New York, in Februar}-, 1862, and was with 
 the reo'iment in front of Fredericksburiih, and 
 in the battle of Chancellorsville. It is inscribed 
 with the names " Williamsburgh," "Fair Oaks," 
 " Fredericksburgh," "Glendale," " Malvern Hill." 
 
 The new National flag, companion to the green 
 banner, replaces on the original staff one that 
 was lost at Chancellorsville. The flag was re- 
 moved by Lloyd, the bearer, and wrapped around 
 his body, as it w^as liable to be torn in passing 
 through the tangled brush through which he was 
 obliged to creep. This brave and intelligent 
 soldier was killed, and his body was buried, 
 without suspecting that the flag was wrapped 
 around his person under his coat. Repeated 
 efforts were made to find his grave, but without 
 success. 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 COLORS or THE 38TH REGIMENT «. V. S. V. 
 
 (Two Flags.) 
 
 This regiment was organized in New York, 
 under Colonel, now General J. H. Hob art Ward, 
 and was known at that time as the " Second 
 Regiment Scott Life Guard." These colors were 
 presented by the citizens and the city of New 
 York. The reo;iment before receivinc; them, 
 was engaged in the First Battle of Bull Run. 
 It was subsequently in the Seige of Yorktown, 
 and the battles of Williamsburgh, Fair Oaks, 
 The ORCHiVRD, Glendale, Charles City Cross 
 Roads, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, Chan- 
 tilly, Fredericksburgh, Chancellorsville and 
 Gettysburgh. 
 
COLORS OF THE 59TH RECtMENT tl. V. S. V. 
 
 (Tliree Flags.) 
 
 The regimental banner of this regiment was 
 presented by Ex-Mayor Kingsland of New York, 
 on behalf of citizens of that place, and the two 
 other flags by the city of New York. 
 
 The regiment has been engaged in the follow- 
 ing battles: Malvern Hill, Chantilly, South 
 Mountain, Antietam, First Fredericksburgh, 
 Mayre's Heights, Thoroughfare Gap, Gettys- 
 BURGH, Bristow Station and Mine Run. 
 
 The loss at Antietam was very severe. Out 
 of twenty-one officers and three hundred and 
 sixty men which went into the fight, thirteen 
 officers and two hundred and thirty men were 
 killed, wounded or taken prisoners. Seven of 
 the eight Color Guard were either killed or 
 wounded, and the remaining one received and 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 brought off the colors of a Pennsylvania regi- 
 ment. 
 
 The top of the staff of one of the National 
 flags was shattered by a shell bursting over it at 
 the battle of Fredericksburgh, Dec. 13, 1862. 
 
 The flags were deposited by Lieut. Col. H. P. 
 RuGG, with two guidons received from the city 
 of New York. 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 COLORS OF THE 6IST REGtMENT ti, V. S. V. 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 This regiment was organized in New York in 
 the fall of 1861, under the name of the " Clinton 
 Life Guards." 
 
 This flag was presented by the city of New 
 York, and was used as a parade flag until the 
 Peninsular campaign. It was laid aside until the 
 spring of 1863, when it was again used through 
 the season as a regimental flag. It was carried 
 through the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettys- 
 BURGH, Auburn, Bristow Station, and Mine Run. 
 
 At Getty sburgh, the Color Bearer and two of 
 the guard were severely wounded. The loss 
 here was one officer killed and five wounded, and 
 sixty-eight enlisted men killed and wounded. 
 This flag is sent to the State archives for pre- 
 servation, by CoL. Nelson A. Miles. 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 \Vhile on the Peninsula, this regiment was 
 engaged in the battles of Yorktown, Fair Oaks, 
 Peach Orchard, Savage's Station, White Oak 
 Swamp, and Charles City Cross Roads, and sub- 
 sequently at Antietam, Charlestown, Snicker's 
 Gap and Fredericksburgh. The flag under which 
 the regiment fought their battles, was presented 
 at the last session of the Legislature. 
 
KEGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 COLORS or THE 64TH REGIMENT N. V. S. V. 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 This regiment was enlisted chiefly in Catta- 
 raugus, Allegany and Tompkins counties. It was 
 engaged in the Seige of Yorktown and in the 
 battles of Fair Oaks, Gaines' Mill, Peach 
 Orchard, Savage's Station, White Oak Swamp, 
 Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fredericksburgh, Chan- 
 cellorsville and Gettysburgh. It was also en- 
 gaged in several skirmishes, the most important 
 of which were at South Mountain, Charlestown, 
 Va., and Snicker's Gap. 
 
 At Gettysburgh, on the 2d of July, 1863, this 
 flag was carried by Chauncey McKoon of Com- 
 pany B, who was severely wounded in the thigh. 
 It was then taken by Edmund Stone, Company 
 D, who was killed. It was then raised by 
 Sergeant Blackmore, who carried it through 
 
60 
 
 PRESENTATION OF 
 
 the remainder of the battle, and brought it off 
 safe. 
 
 It is transmitted to the Bureau of Military 
 Statistics by Col, D. G. Bingham, the present 
 Colonel. 
 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 GOIORS OF THE 7STH REGIMENT N. V. S. V. 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 This regiment was organized at Auburn, Nov. 
 14, 1861, and left the State on the 30th of that 
 month, receiving this flag at the hands of ladies 
 of Auburn before its departure. 
 
 The 75th served several months at Key West 
 and Pensacola, and formed a part of the expedi- 
 tion of General Banks. It was engaged in the 
 three battles before Port Hudson, May 25th, 
 May 27th, and June 14th, 1863, and has since 
 been engaged in important services in Louisiana. 
 
 The colors were transmitted to the Bureau of 
 Military Statistics, by Col. Robert B. Merritt, 
 the present commandant. 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 COLORS OF THE 76TH REGIMENT N. V. S. V, 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 This regiment was organized in Cortland 
 county, and left the State in January, 1862. In 
 the ensuing campaign it was brigaded with the 
 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Army Corps, and 
 shared the fortunes of the army under Generals 
 Pope and McClellan, in the campaign of Vir- 
 ginia and Maryland, participating in the battles 
 of Rappahannock Station, Warrenton Sulphur 
 Springs, Gainesville, Second Bull Bun, South 
 Mountain, Antietam and Upperville. It served 
 under General Burnside at the battle of Frede- 
 RiCKSBURGH ; Under General Hooker during four 
 days marching and fighting at Chancellorsville; 
 and under General Meade at Gettysburgh and 
 Mine Bun. 
 
 This flag was presented to the regiment on the 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 steps of the Capitol in Albany, upon its depart- 
 ure for the field, by Mrs. Campbell of York Mills, 
 Oneida county, with public ceremonies, and was 
 carried until December, 1863. It received fif- 
 teen musket balls and one twelve pound shot 
 through it in action. The Color Bearer, Ser- 
 geant Champ, was killed at South Mountain. 
 At Getty sburgh the Color Bearer was wounded 
 just as the regiment was falling back, and came 
 near being captured, but was rescued by private 
 John Stephens of Company H, who left the 
 ranks under the fire of the enemy, and reco- 
 vered the flag in safety. He was promoted to a 
 Sergeant for his gallantry on that occasion 
 
 The flag is transmitted to the Bureau of Mili- 
 tary Statistics by Captain A. L. Swan, of Com- 
 pany H, of the 76th regiment. 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 COLORS OF THE 77TH REGIMENT N. V. S. V. 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 This regiment Avas organized in Saratoga 
 county, and while forming, was known as the 
 " Bemis Heights Regiment." This flag was pre- 
 sented November 29, 1861, by citizens of Sara- 
 toga county, resident in New York city. It has 
 been carried in the battle of Lee's Mills, the 
 Seige of Yorktown, battles of Mechanicsville, 
 Golden's Farm, Garnet's Hill, White Oak Swamp, 
 Crampton Pass, Antietam, Fredericksburgh, 
 Mayres' Heights and Gettysburgh. The Bearers 
 were Sergeant Isaac Bemis, and afterwards Cor- 
 poral Michael McWilliams. In the charge up 
 Mayres' Heights, one of the Color Guard was 
 killed, and the flag was torn into shreds by a 
 shell. 
 
 The Guide colors (one of which is attached). 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 were presented at the same time and place, have 
 been used during the same period. That on the 
 right of the line was crimson, and that on the 
 left, blue. 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 COLOnS OF THE 20TH N. V. STATE MIUTIA. 
 
 "80TH N. Y. S. VOLUNTEERS." 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 This regiment, sometimes known as the 
 *' Ulster Guard," went to the field as a militia 
 regiment, under Col. Geo. W. Pratt, for a term 
 of three months, a few days after the beginning 
 of the war. 
 
 Upon its return it was re-organized for three 
 years, and it has recently re-enlisted for the war. 
 
 This regiment was in the battles of Rappahan- 
 nock Station, Warrenton Springs, Groveton, 2d 
 Bull Run (where Colonel Pratt was mortally 
 wounded), Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, 
 Fredericksburgh, Chancellorsville and Gettys- 
 
 BURGH. 
 
 The regiment lost 35 killed and 232 wounded 
 in the campaign of 1862, while fighting under 
 these colors. 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 GOlOaS OF THE 9I$T REGIMENT N. V. S. V. 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 Upon the departure of the 91st from Albany 
 for Key West, in December, 1861, it received a 
 National flag, of which the one here exhibited is 
 a part. The regiment served for some time at 
 Pensacoha, and subsequently under Gen. Banks 
 in Louisiana. 
 
 It was engaged at Irish Bend, Vermillion, 
 Bayou, and the three battles before Port Hudson, 
 of May 25th and 27th, and June 14th, 1863. In 
 one of these the flag was torn in two, and this 
 portion was brought into a hospital by one of 
 the Color Guard, who w^as wounded. The part 
 that remained on the lance is still with the regi- 
 ment, and in due time the two will be re-united. 
 
 This flag is presented through Col. Harcourt 
 of Albany, by whom it was originally presented 
 to the regiment. 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 GOIORS OF THE 98TH REGIMENT N. V. S. V. 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 This regiment was organized at Plattsburgh 
 under Col. Fairman. It served in the Seige of 
 YoRKTOWN, and the battles of Williamsburgh, 
 Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, Chickahominy Swamp, 
 AVhite Oak Swamp, Rail Road Bridge, Bottom 
 Bridge, Long's Bridge, Jones' Ford, Charles City 
 Cross Roads, Harrison's Point, Black Water and 
 Kinston. 
 
 Col. Charles 0. Gray succeeded to the com- 
 mand of the regiment, and was killed in action, 
 Dec. 14, 1862, in the act of planting his colors 
 on the enemy's position, on the bridge over the 
 Neuse River, at Kinston, N. C. 
 
 This regiment has re-enlisted with General 
 Ledlie's Veteran Brigade, and is now serving in 
 the Department of North Carolina. 
 
 ^' 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 COLORS OF THE 97TH REGIMENT U. V. 8. V. 
 
 (One Fla;;.) 
 
 This regiment was organized at Boonville, and 
 was made up by enlistments in Oneida, Lewis 
 and Herkimer counties. These colors were pre- 
 sented to the regiment by the ladies of Boon- 
 ville, and have been carried in the battles of 
 Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station, Tho- 
 roughfare Gap, 2d Bull Run, Chantilly, South 
 Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburgh, Chancel- 
 LORSViLLE and Gettysburgh. 
 
 A portion of this regiment has re-enlisted for 
 the war, and the record of its services are of the 
 most honorable character. Its numbers, at one 
 time greatly reduced by casualties, have been 
 increased by conscripts and substitutes, to a full 
 and efficient rea-iment. 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 COLORS OF THE I04TH REGIMENT N. V. S. V. 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 This banner was presented to the 104th regi- 
 ment (Wadsworth Guard), by Gen. James S. 
 Wadswortii, in April, 1862, and it was carried 
 through the campaign of 1862, under General 
 Pope and McClellan; and in 1863 on the march 
 into Maryland and Pennsylvania. 
 
 This regiment was under an active cannonade 
 on the evening following the battle of Cedar 
 Mountain, in the three days' battle on the Rap- 
 pahannock, and at the battles of Thoroughfare 
 Gap, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antie- 
 tam, Fredericksburgh, Chancellorsville and Get- 
 tysburgh, besides in numerous skirmishes. 
 
 One of the Bearers was severely wounded at 
 South Mountain, and another at Antietam. At 
 Getty sburgh, seven of the Sergeants and Color 
 Guard were killed or wounded in sustaining 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 them, and the Corporal who took the National 
 flag being in danger of capture, tore the flag from 
 the staff and stamped it into the ground to con- 
 ceal it from the enemy's notice. This flag was 
 barely saved by great vigilance. 
 
 The 104th has sustained an honorable repu- 
 tation, and is still in the service. The flag is 
 sent by Lieut. Col. Strong, for preservation in 
 the State archives. 
 
 The 104th regiment was organized at Geneseo, 
 and made up of volunteers enlisted in Livingston 
 county, with the exception of three companies 
 from Troy, that were consolidated before leaving 
 the State. 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 COLOBS OF THE tSOTH REGtMEMT N. V. S. V. 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 This regiment was organized by the Senatorial 
 Committee of the 30th District, at Portage, and 
 was recruited in Livingston, Wyoming and Alle- 
 gany counties. In the autumn of 1862, it was 
 sent to Fortress Monroe, and was engaged in the 
 operations near Suffolk, as a part of the Seventh 
 Army Corps. On the 11th day of August, 1863, 
 this regiment was changed to the 19th N. Y. 
 Cavalry, and since September, 10th, 1863, it has 
 been known as the First Regiment of Dragoons, 
 New York State Volunteers. These colors were 
 borne by the regiment only during its services 
 as an Infantry organization. 
 
k 
 
 REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 COLORS or THE t48TH RECIMEMT N. V. S. V, 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 This regiment was organized at Rome, under 
 the direction of the Senatorial Committee of the 
 19th District, and left the State September 27, 
 1862. It was assigned to the 3d Brigade, 2d 
 Division, 5th Army Corps, and fought at Frede- 
 RiCKSBURGii, Chancellorsville and Gettysburgh, 
 as a part of the 3d Brigade, 2d Division, 5th 
 Corps. 
 
 10 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 COIOBS OF THE I77TH HEGIMENT U. V. S. V. 
 
 (Two Flags.) 
 
 The lOtli regiment National Guards was organ- 
 ized for a nine months' term of service, under 
 the name of the " 177th Volunteers," at Albany, 
 in November, 1862, and sent with Gen. Bx\.nks' 
 Expedition to the Department of the Gulf. 
 
 It was attached to the od Brigade, 2d Division, 
 19th Corps, and served in two campaigns upon 
 the Amite River, and through the entire Seige of 
 Port Hudson, taking part in the battles of May 
 27 and June 14, 1863. 
 
 The regiment returned in August, 1863, by 
 way of the Mississippi River, the route origi- 
 nally 23romised by General Banks to the troops 
 of his Expedition. 
 
 The National flag here presented, was received 
 by the regiment while stationed at Bonne Car- 
 rie, La., from Mrs. Merrihew, the wife of an 
 officer of the res-iment. 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 c o L o rt jsj 
 
 30 N. V. STATE ARTtLlERY REGIMENT, 
 
 FORMERLY THE I9TH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
 (One Flag.\ 
 
 This regiment entered the field in the summer 
 of 1861, and on the 11th of December of that 
 year, was changed to Artillery. Four companies 
 were added, and in April it was sent to Newbern, 
 N. C. The banner here exhibited is inscribed 
 by authority with the names of battles in Avhich 
 it has been engaged : Lovettsville, Fort Macon, 
 Washington, N. C, South West Creek, Kinston, 
 Whitehall, Goldsborough, Newbern, and Seige of 
 Washington. The greater part of this regiment 
 have re-enlisted with General Ledlie's Veteran 
 Briirade. 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 COLORS 
 
 7TH n.V. STATE INDEPENOEWT BATTEHV. 
 
 (One Flag.) 
 
 This battery was raised in Newburgli and 
 Cornwall, under Captain Peter C. Regan, and 
 originally formed a part of the " Tenth Legion," 
 or 56th regiment N. Y. Volunteers. 
 
 Upon entering the field it was detached and 
 made an Independent Battery. 
 
 It served on the Peninsula, and subsequently 
 with the 7th Army Corps, in Southeastern Vir- 
 ginia. The guidon was struck by a shell at the 
 battle of Fair Oaks. 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 COLORS 
 
 HTH N. V. STATE INDEPENOEWT BATTERV. 
 
 (Three Flags.) 
 
 The flag, banner and guidon exhibited, be- 
 longed to the Eleventh N. Y. Independent Bat- 
 tery, sometimes called the " Havelock Battery," 
 which was raised in Albany, under the auspices 
 of the Young Men's Christian Association. 
 
 After serving several months as heavy artil- 
 lery, it was sent to the field, and the guidon is 
 inscribed by authority with the names of the 
 following battles, in which it has participated : 
 Manassas, Chantilly, Mine Run, Gettysburgh, 
 Bristow Station, Chancellorsville, Rappahan- 
 nock and Fredericksburgh. 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL FLAG, 
 
 BY ALFRED B. STREET. 
 
 The most interesting incident connected with 
 the battle of Saratoga was the unfurling, for the 
 first time, the Stars and Stripes at the surrender 
 of Burgojne. 
 
 Bunker Hill was fought under a red flag, bear- 
 ing the motto, " Come if you dare ! " but on the 
 14th of June, 1777, the Continental Congress 
 resolved " That the flag of the thirteen United 
 States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and 
 white, and that the Union be thirteen stars, 
 white on a blue field, representing a new constel- 
 lation." 
 
 This was made public on the 3d of September 
 following. Previous to this our National banner 
 was the Union flag, combining the crosses of St. 
 George and St. Andrew (taken from the English 
 
REGIMENTAL COLORS. 
 
 banner) with thirteen stripes, alternate red and 
 white. The banner of St. Patrick (Irehind's 
 emblem) was not combined with the crosses of 
 St. George and St. Andrew in the Standard of 
 Great Britain until 1801, the year of the union 
 with Ireland. 
 
 The stars of the new flag represented the new 
 constellation of States, the idea taken from the 
 constellation Lyra, Avhich signifies harmony. 
 The blue of the field was taken from the Cove- 
 nanters' banner in Scotland, likewise significant 
 of the league and covenant of the United Colo- 
 nies against oppression, and incidentally involv- 
 ing vigilance, perseverance and justice. The 
 stars were disposed in a circle, symbolizing the 
 perpetuity of the Union, the circle being the 
 sign of eternity. The thirteen stripes showed, 
 with the stars, the number of the United Colo- 
 nies, and denoted the subordination of the States 
 to, and their dependence upon the Union, as well 
 as equality among themselves. The whole was 
 a blending of the various flags previous to the 
 Union flag, viz : the red flags of the army and 
 white ones of the floating batteries — the germ 
 
PRESENTATION OF 
 
 of our navy. The red color, also, which in 
 Roman days was the signal of defiance, denoted 
 daring, and the white purity. 
 
 By the United States law of January 13, 1794, 
 it was enacted " that, from and after the first of 
 May, 1795, the flag of the United States shall be 
 fifteen stripes, alternate red and white, and 
 " that the Union be fifteen stars, white in a blue 
 field." This was our National flag during the 
 war of 1812. 
 
 On the 4th of April, 1818, Congress altered 
 the flag, by directing a return to the thirteen 
 stripes, as follows : 
 
 " Be it enacted, etc., That from and after the 
 4th day of July next, the flag of the United 
 States be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate 
 red and white ; that the Union be twenty stars, 
 white, in a blue field. 
 
 " And be it further enacted. That, on the 
 admission of a new State into the Union, one 
 star be added to the union of the flag; and that 
 such addition shall take effect on the 4th day of 
 July next succeeding such admission." 
 
 The return to the thirteen stripes was by 
 
reason of the anticipation that the addition of a 
 stripe on the admission of each State would 
 make the flag too unwieldy. The old number 
 of stripes also perpetuated the original number 
 of States of the Union, while the addition of the 
 stars showed the Union in its existing state. 
 
 The flag planted by our troops in the city of 
 Mexico, at the conclusion of the Mexican war, 
 bore thirty stars. 
 
 The size of the flag for the army is six feet 
 six inches in length, by six feet in width, with 
 seven red and six white stripes. The first seven 
 stripes (four red and three white) bound the 
 square of the blue field for the stars, the stripes 
 extending from the extremity of the field to the 
 end of the flag. The eighth stripe is white, ex- 
 tending partly at the base of the field. The 
 number of stars is thirty-five. 
 
 What eloquence do the Stars and Stripes 
 breathe, when their full significance is known ! 
 A new constellation ; union ; perpetuity ; a cove- 
 nant against oppression; equality; subordina- 
 tion ; courage ; purity. 
 
 11 
 
Success to the Flag of our Nation ! 
 
 Its folds all around us be spread ! 
 Emblazoned with deeds of the valiant, 
 
 And sacred with names of the dead ! 
 Its stars are the symbol of Union, 
 
 In Union they ever shall wave I 
 Its white is the emblem of honor ! 
 
 Its red is the blood of the brave. 
 
 Success to the Flag of our Nation ! 
 
 Let it stream o'er the land and the sea! 
 The shades of our heroes are round it, 
 
 Beneath it, the ranks of the Free. 
 Let us swear we will ever defend it 
 
 In the trials to come, as of yore, 
 Lift it high, a broad beacon of Freedom 
 
 To the world, until Time is no more ! 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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