Restored Iowa Civil War battle flag on display
DES MOINES (AP)  With seven descendants of Iowa Civil War soldiers standing at attention, a restored flag carried into the war by an Iowa regiment was placed on display at the Statehouse.
Encased in a glass, wood-framed case, the flag has 13 alternating red and white stripes and 34 white stars in a circular pattern on a field of blue. The entire banner is lined on the edges with a band of gold frills.
The flag, made in Philadelphia in 1863, is faded and has patches of silk cloth missing.
It was carried by the 33rd Iowa Infantry, a group of farmers, businessmen and craftsmen who left their families in the fall of 1862. About a third of the unit survived battle and disease to return home in 1865, said Bill Johnson, curator for the State Historical Society of Iowa.
"It’s difficult to capture into words the emotion of what happens when you realize the last people who saw these colors unfurled are all dead now," said Tom Clegg, of Urbandale, who was one of seven Civil War re-enactors dressed in the uniforms of Company B, 15th Iowa Volunteer Infantry.
His great-great-great grandfather, John Fisher, served in the regiment.
He said flags for Civil War soldiers were important because they served not only as the nation’s symbol, but also helped guide soldiers in battle.
"It was precious and they defended it to the death," Clegg said Wednesday.
To Jim Hawk the unveiling of the flag was an emotional occasion.
The departmental commander for the Iowa Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War was involved in beginning a restoration project of Iowa’s historic battle flags in 2001.
With tears welling in his eyes, Hawk told of his family history, which included Robert H. Redd, who fought with the 7th Illinois Cavalry and Robert Coles, a master sergeant with Company H, 3rd Iowa Cavalry.
"This has been a great honor for me, to do such a great thing to honor our Civil War ancestors," he said. "If it wasn’t for these gentleman who sacrificed their lives to preserve the union, we wouldn’t have the freedoms we have today."
The state plans to restore 214 battle flags from the Civil War, World War II and the Spanish American War. The flags are stored at the Iowa Battle Flag Preservation Laboratory in the State Historical Building and will be displayed individually as they are completed.
The state has completed restoration of 110 flags since the project began in 2001.
Each flag costs about $20,000 to restore, said Anita Walker, Director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.
The Legislature has appropriated money for the project and the state has received a $75,000 America’s Treasure federal grant. Individuals and organizations interest in historic preservation have also contributed money.
Walker said a request of $220,000 is before the Legislature this year to continue the work.
"It’s a painstaking and meticulous process," she said.
Each flag is unrolled from its staff and small vacuum cleaners are used to remove dirt, dust and pollen, which is sent to a laboratory for analysis. Many of the flags have bullet holes and blood stains.
The 33rd Infantry flag will be on display in the first floor rotunda of the Statehouse for the next six to eight weeks and then it will be replaced by another restored flag, Walker said. Others are on display at the State Historical Building.