32 DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTLE-FLAGS. No. 4.-FLAG OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. The flag of this gallant regiment is inscribed with the names of twenty-three battles in which it participated. Further than this its history cannot be learned. No. 5. FLAG OF THE FIRST MAINE HEAVY ARTILLERY. The 1st Maine Heavy Artillery was in service three years, but served in the field only the last year of the war, joining the Army of the Potomac near Spottsylvania Court-House in May, 1864. The colors were then in charge of Sergeant James M. Smith of Ellsworth. He, with eight other noncommissioned officers, composed the color-guard. On May 19, 1864, out of the nine three were killed and four wounded, leaving the sergeant and one corporal unhurt. Seven men immediately filled their places, and on June 18 following, while storming the enemy's works near Petersburg, two were killed, and Sergeant Smith with five others wounded, leaving only Corporal Ames, who thus twice passed through the furnace of fire, only to be taken prisoner four days later. On the above named 18th of June the regiment advanced over a level field about seven hundred yards. Sergeant Smith fell near the rebel works, with a leg shattered. Under cover of the smoke from the batteries, he quickly rolled up the flag, and, drawing the case from his pocket, slipped it over the colors; then, with the help of the staff, he worked himself off the field. Major-General Robert McAllister, who witnessed this charge, wrote of it as follows: "In all my army experience no scene of carnage and suffering is so impressed on my mind as that fatal charge made by your regiment on the 18th of June, 1864. . . . The brigade moved off, your fine regiment handsomely in the front. You went gallantly, not to meet success. That was impossible, In a few minutes out of your ... you were a forlorn hope. DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTLE-FLAGS. 33 regiment, which advanced nine hundred strong, six hundred and thirty-two were laid low on the battle-field." Four days later this regiment formed a part of the 3d Division, 2d Corps, which was flanked by the enemy. Intently engaged in front, it was suddenly attacked in the rear. The line faced about, and immediately, among the thick undergrowth, the blue and the gray became mixed, lines broken, and men fighting in squads; prisoners were taken and retaken, flags were captured and again yielded up to a superior force, the regiment all the while working itself out of the thicket. Nobly the color-guard defended their flag, one of their number being snatched from the squad a prisoner, until they gained a more open space, where they planted their standard, around which the regiment rallied and held their ground against further attack. April 6, 1865, the regiment formed the skirmish line of the vanguard of the 2d Army Corps, following General Lee's retreating columns. It made seven distinct charges on the hastily constructed works of the enemy. Their captures during the day amounted to forty-seven wagons, three pieces of artillery, two battle-flags, and three hundred and fifty prisoners. Sergeant Woodcock, who carried the flag at this time, showed such reckless bravery in displaying his colors, always a little in advance of the skirmish-line, that the colonel sent an orderly bidding him to be more cautious lest the flag fall into the enemy's hands. During the war five from the colorguard were killed, eleven wounded, and one taken prisoner. NO 6.- FLAG OF THE FIRST CONNECTICUT HEAVY ARTILLERY. The 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery was one of the largest and most efficient organizations sent to the war from Connecticut, and was ranked by military judges as the best volunteer regiment of heavy artillery in the field. It left Hartford for the seat of war in June, 1861, and soon after, by special orders from the War Department, its organization was changed to consist of twelve companies of one 34 DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTLE-FLAGS. hundred and fifty men each. It now numbered eighteen hundred officers and men, under a high state of discipline. It was in service four years and four months, and was splendidly equipped with a siege train of seventy-one pieces of artillery, many of them very heavy guns. It took a prominent part in the siege of Yorktown, and in the series of battles at Hanover Court-House, Gaines' Mill, Chickahominy, Golden Hill, Malvern Hill, siege of Fredericksburg, Kelly's Ford, Orange Court-House, siege of Petersburg, siege of Richmond, Fort Fisher, etc. At Malvern Hill, during the night of June 30, fourteen heavy guns were dragged up the steep ascent and occupied the highest ground on that battle-field. The guns were served with great rapidity and caused tremendous havoc amid the enemy's advancing column. General McClellan had great confidence in the Connecticut Heavy Artillery, and Major-General W. F. (“Baldy”) Smith writes: "I saw much of the 1st Connecticut Artillery during the campaign of 1862, and was surprised at the skill and gallantry of its officers and men. During the time I commanded the 18th Corps before Petersburg, I called heavily upon it for siege guns, and never before during the war have I witnessed such artillery practice as I saw with that regiment, which has not its equal in artillery firing." Its great services were recognized by an order directing the names of its battles to be emblazoned on its flag. No. 1.-FLAG OF THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS. THIS flag is stained by the life-blood of Patrick Reilly, color-sergeant, who was killed at Ringgold Gap, November 27, 1863. He was shot through the breast and fell in such manner as to be rolled up in the flag. DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTLE-FLAGS. 35 No. 2.- NATIONAL FLAG OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT MICHIGAN VOLUNTEERS. The fatality that attended the color-bearers, officers, and men of this regiment at the battle of Gettysburg was very great. It had in its ranks on the morning of this memorable fight four hundred and ninety-six officers and men. It lost in killed and wounded three hundred and sixteen. The 24th was a part of the Iron Brigade, which was the first infantry engaged at Gettysburg. It carried into this battle only a state flag, which was presented to the regiment by the citizens of Detroit. This was carried by Color-Bearer Abel G. Peck, a tall, straight, handsome man, and as brave a soldier as ever gave up his life for his country. He was instantly killed almost at the beginning of the famous charge of the Iron Brigade. The flag was then seized by Private Thomas B. Ballou, who was desperately wounded immediately after, and died a few weeks later. The flag was then carried by Private August Ernst, who was instantly killed. Corporal Andrew Wagner then took the colors. and carried them until shot through the breast, from the effects of which he died about a year after the close of the war. When Corporal Wagner fell, Colonel Henry A. Morrill took the flag, and gallantly attempted to rally the few survivors of the regiment. But Private William Kelly insisted on carrying it, saying to Colonel Morrill, "You shall not carry the flag while I am alive." The gallant fellow held it aloft and almost instantly fell, shot through the heart. Private L. Spaulding then took the flag from the hands of Kelly, and carried it until he was himself badly wounded. Colonel Morrill again seized the flag, and was soon after shot in the head and carried from the field. After the fall of Colonel Morrill, the flag was carried by a soldier whose name has never been ascertained. He was seen by Captain Edwards who was now in command of the regiment lying upon the ground badly wounded, grasping the flag in his hands. Captain Edwards took the flag from 36 DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTLE-FLAGS. him and carried it himself until the few men left of the regiment fell back and reached Culp's Hill. Captain Edwards is the only man who is known to have carried the flag that day, who was not killed or wounded. This grand old flag is no longer in existence. It was so riddled and torn with shot and shell that scarcely a square foot of it remained intact. The staff was shot and broken in pieces also. The men had great affection for the old flag, and after the battle of Gettysburg they agreed to cut it up and distribute the pieces to the survivors. This was done, and to-day in many a Michigan household a small piece of faded blue silk is cherished as one of the sacred mementoes of the war. The flag shown in the illustration is the national color carried by the regiment. No. 3.- FLAG OF THE EIGHTH REGIMENT MISSOURI VOLUNTEERS. This was the first flag on the parapets of Forts Henry and Donelson. It was riddled at Shiloh; was carried up to the breast works in the charge at Vicksburg; was upon the breastworks at Kenesaw, where the regiment went over the works, and changed sides with the rebels, and fought handto-hand. It led the way in the march to the sea; waved over Fort McAllister, and on the flag-staff at Columbia, S. C., and Raleigh. It was carried in many battles and skirmishes. NO. 4.- FLAG OF THE FIRST MINNESOTA ARTIL- No. 5. FLAG OF THE SECOND REGIMENT MICHIGAN VOLUNTEERS. This flag was presented to the regiment by the ladies of Niles, Mich., and during the war was followed by no less than two thousand one hundred and fifty-one men. Of that number three hundred and twenty-one lie buried on southern |