The Interesting Journey of a Flint Civil War Battle Flag

Flag Day Special. Save The Flags. This is a State of Michigan project to preserve, research and display 240 battle flags carried by Michigan soldiers in the Civil War, the Spanish American War, and World War I.
Michigan now has an “adoption” program to conserve these flags.  Individuals, organizations, schools, families, and communities can help with the preservation, research, and display of the flags by “adopting” flags in the collection. To date, almost 150 flags — mostly from the Civil War — have been adopted, providing the project with much-needed funds.
Flint resident David Norris' great-grandfather, Talmon C. Owen, fought with the 10th Michigan Infantry in the Civil War. The 10th Michigan Infantry was organized at Flint, Michigan, and mustered into Federal service for a three-year enlistment on February 10, 1862.
This Michigan unit fought their way in support of and on the front lines, all the way with Sherman to the Sea. They were part of the attack and taking of Atlanta.  Regiment lost during service 7 Officers and 95 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 223 Enlisted men died by disease. There were 327 total casualties in the unit.
Before leaving for the field of battle, the men of these regiments were presented with beautiful silken flags. The regiments received a stand of colors consisting of two flags: a national flag and a regimental flag. The national flag was the traditional American red, white, and blue Stars and Stripes. The regimental flag typically had a solid blue field emblazoned with the Federal or Michigan coat of arms.
The flags quite often were presented to the regiments by the ladies of their communities in grand ceremonies.
------
This podcast episode is also available as a video podcast on YouTube. Visit
Flint and its Lost Civil War Battle Flag - YouTube

Music provided in this episode is courtesy of songwriter David O. Norris, who wrote the song "Peach Tree Creek".
Folk singer Neil Woodward performs the song written in honor of Flint's 10th Infantry who fought valiantly in the Civil War battle at Peach Tree Creek. That critical battle led to the fall of Atlanta.  David Norris' great grandfather, Talmon Owens, fought on the side of the Union Army in this battle.
Folk singer Neil Woodward is a recipient of the 2018 State of Michigan Heritage Award "in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Michigan's cultural heritage."
In 2003 the Legislature of the State of Michigan officially named Neil Woodward Michigan’s Troubadour in recognition of his lifelong commitment to the preservation of Great Lakes folk music and culture.
You can listen to more of Neil Woodward's music at https://www.neilwoodward.com
Special thanks to our guests David O. Norris, Neil Woodward, and Mattew J. VanAker, Director, Tour, Education, and Information Service, Michigan State Capitol, and Save The Flags, Curator.
For more information on how you can help Save the Flags visit: http://capitol.michigan.gov/SaveTheFlags#SaveTheFlags

-------- 
 #CivilWarHistory  #Flint #NeilWoodward #MichiganCivilWarHistory

---

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/radiofreeflint/message