“The Civil War Flags Return From the Battlefield
...a precious treasure, a priceless legacy...” Exhibition

This exhibition (New York State Capitol, October 2004 - October 2005) commemorates the return to New York State of the cherished battle flags carried by volunteer regiments during the Civil War and celebrates the 140th anniversary of the 1865 Flag Presentation ceremony in Albany. New York State started to collect the patriotic ensigns in January 1863 to preserve the tangible reminders of her sons’ gallant struggle to preserve our Union. Flag presentation ceremonies in 1863, 1864, and 1865 celebrated the flags’ return and honored the soldiers who served. By early 1867, over 170 volunteer regiments had deposited 800 flags with state authorities to create the New York State Battle Flag Collection. In Major General Daniel Butterfield’s words, each flag is

The view to the North-east of the exhibit The view to the North-west of the exhibit The view to the South of the exhibit