The Battle Flag of the 30th
Illinois Infantry
The
Battle Flag Of The Thirtieth Illinois Infantry, After Half A Century, Tattered
And Torn, Comes To Memorial Hall, Springfield.
The torn, tattered, bullet shredded
battle flag of the Thirtieth Illinois Infantry is back in Springfield for the
first time in more than half a century. Three years of this time the flag was
proudly borne at the head of the Thirtieth through many a stormy battle until
finally before Atlanta, GA., July 22nd, 1864, in a desperate, deadly
hand to hand conflict, it was wrested from the Union forces after several color
bearers had been shot down and many a confederate had been killed in his
frantic efforts to gain possession of the tottering flag in the waving ranks of
the boys in blue.
Since that time it has remained in
confederate hands until November 28th, 1911, when it was restored to
its friends and former defenders by survivors of the Gray. General Frank S.
Dickson, the Adjutant General, has placed it in Memorial Hall in the State
capitol building with other pathetic reminders of the days of the civil war-the
fierce conflict for the preservation of the Union.
PATHETIC
SCENE MARKS ITS RETURN
The transfer of the flag from Confederate
to Union hands is one of the saddest and most pathetic stories in recent
history. Elaborate preparations had been made for turning over the flag to
Capt. E. B. David, of Aledo, the sole surviving officer of the gallant
regiment. He received it. He attempted to speak, but in the midst of his
remarks the aged, gray haired veteran broke down entirely. He was so completely
unnerved by the occasion that he could not continue. After vainly striving to
speak he tottered to where the flag lay-the flag that meant so much to him, and
beneath which he had fought so many times, had seen his friends and fellow
soldiers mowed down-and buried his face in it and wept. He wept for grief as it
vividly recalled to him those fateful days and for joy at a reunited country
and the return of the old dear flag.
Its history was brought out at the
meeting in Chicago November 28, 1911, which had been arranged particularly for
the occasion. It was a joint session of Columbia Post No. 706, Grand Army of
the Republic, and Confederate Camp No. 8. Large numbers of the blue and
gray-former foes, but now friends-met in the same room to participate in the
exercises. Commander Garrard of the post, welcomed them.
MUSTERED
IN AT CAMP BUTLER
The Thirtieth Infantry was mustered into
the service of the United States at Camp Butler, near Springfield, August 28,
1861, and here it was that the battle flag was presented to the regiment by the
women of Sangamon and surrounding counties. They were particularly interested
in this regiment for it was recruited largely from this vicinity. Many
residents of Sangamon county were numbered in its ranks, and most of the
remainder were taken from the counties north of here. It was regarded largely in
the nature of a "home" regiment, and the women presented them the
flag to lead them on to victory.
What the battle flag means to a regiment
may be appreciated when it is known that every regiment carries two flags. One
is the stars and stripes, the other the battle flag. The stars and stripes may
be lost, may be captured or may be destroyed, and the regiment can get another
in fifteen minutes by drawing on the quartermaster. With the battle flag it is
different. There is but one and when it is gone, it is forever, unless it can
be recaptured from those who have taken it.
IN
THE THICKEST OF FIGHT
The Thirtieth Infantry was in the
thickest of the fight before Atlanta. The rebel forces were pouring a deadly
fire of shot and shell into them. They wavered and were forced to retreat.
However, they eventually won the day, but when the losses of that memorable
July 22, 1864, were figured up it was learned for the first time that the
Thirtieth had lost its battle flag. They knew it had been captured, but when or
how they did not know. Never again did they see the flag.
During
the recent years many captured flags have been returned by the victorious
forces of both sides, but during all these years nothing was heard from the
missing flag of the Thirtieth Illinois. Absolutely no trace of it could be
found. General Hardee was one of the confederate officers who played a
conspicuous part in the engagement before Atlanta. He died a short time ago,
and his effects were examined by his daughter. Among them was a box filled with
war relics and among these relics was the battle flag of the Thirtieth
Illinois.
Accompanying
the flag was a note telling of its capture. It showed the desperate struggle
members of the Thirtieth had made to save the flag, how color sergeant after
color sergeant was shot down, and how Confederate after Confederate was killed
before it was finally captured by Private John C. Leird, of Co. A,
Twenty-seventh Tennessee Infantry, C.S.A. The story told of its being bathed in
blood. Gen. Hardee's daughter began a correspondence in regard to the flag, and
finally discovered that Private Leird was still alive and living in Tennessee.
She presented him with the flag, which he in turn forwarded to Confederate Camp
No. 8, of Chicago, with the request that it be restored to its original owners.
A
band escorted the flag into the joint meeting and a reception was held about
it. Col. W.E. Poulson, of Confederate Camp No. 8, presented the flag to Capt.
David. The latter accepted it, attempted to speak, but failed and handed it to
the Adjutant General, Frank S. Dickson. The latter in officially accepting it
on behalf of the State of Illinois, traced some of its thrilling history, told
of the great meaning of the occasion, and promised that the flag would rest
with other battle flags in Memorial Hall.
Journal
of the Illinois Historical Society iv (1912) 493-6