These 138 torn and scarred flags, stored in an old armory building, were being destroyed by time. It was decided to preserve these remnants of history in hermetically sealed display cases in the Capitol Building. Businesses closed, special train fares and hotel room rates for the trip to Des Moines were arranged, and all Civil War veterans were summoned to come and take part in the procession transferring the flags up the hill from the armory to the Capitol Building. The wording, grammar, and punctuation of the original document has not been altered in order to preserve the authenticity of the emotion and patriotism expressed. For the same reason, some of the speeches may cite figures that appear to disagree with the figures used by other speakers, but these were not changed.
All graphics are originals from the book.
Many thanks to the League of Women Voters of Iowa and Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, for their assistance.