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]

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

[Hairy Nation Boys]

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

[dirtyshirt]

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]

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]

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]

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

[dirtyshirt]

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]

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]

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-f...-preservation/