Gilpin observer., 1902-05-29
coIorado's Historic Flags.

Steps are being taken to write his
tory of the flags that are on exhibition
in the war relic room in the basement
of the state house and also in the ad-
jutant generals Office. There are
twenty-three of these flags and each
one of them could tell story of val
liant deeds done by Colorado troops in
battle. They bear the traces of fierce
war, too, for there are great rents, and
holes made by shells and bullets, and
stains of blood upon their folds. They
have been donated to the state by per-
sons whose ancestors witnessed the
fierce struggles through which they
passed. Governor Orman has received
a letter from p. D. Harrison of Man
chester, New Hampshire, in which the
writer sas he is preparing history OF
all the flags in all the state and nation
al museums. and that he is very anx-
ious TO secure facts about those that
hang upon the walls in Colorado's
state house. Governor Orman turned
the letter over to Cecil A. Deane, custo-
dian of the war relics, and the latter
has prepared list Of these flags with
some interesting data as to their his
tory. The list is as follows:
No. 1-Flag of the First Colorado
cavalry. Was presented to the regi-
ment when 1t was organized at Den
yer in 1861. At the battle of Glorietta,
New Mexico, fought March 2S, 1862,
the flag was badly torn by fragments
Of shells from Gen. II. n. Sibley's Con-
federate batteries and in that year,
while in New Mexico a new flag, No.
2, was presented to the regiment.
No. 3-Flag presented to Company A,
First Colorado cavalry. by ladies' of
Denver, August 13. 1861.
No. Alag of the Second Colorado
cavalry
No. 5-Gudon of the Troop B, Second
cavalry. Only fragments Of the flag
remain on the staff. The Second Colo
RADIO served in numerous engagements
from the Rocky mountains to Arkan-
sas. above Fort Smith. between Sep
tember 2. 1862, and September %, 1865.
No. 6-Flag of the Third Colorado
cavalry. The Third Colorado was
1OOdays regiment. Its principal bat
tie was mt Big Sandy, Colorado, No
vember 30. 1864 About fifty Chey-
ennes and Arapahoes were killed.
No. 7-Flag of McLain's battery.
No. S-Flag of the Colorado Veteran
battalion.
No. 9-Flag of the First Colorado
VOLUNTEER Infantry, spanish American
war; used in the Philippines; badly
torn.
No. lO-Guidon Of Troop l., First New
York mounted rifles, torn with shell
and bullets.
No. 11-Union Jack, captured on n
blockade runner Off Charleston, South
Carolina, in 1868.
No. l2-United States flag, taken
from Fort Sumter at the time Of Its
surrender by Major Anderson, April
IA, 1861. First flag to be taken by
seeding forces during action.
No. 13-Large garrison flag. made by
women at Gold Dirt, Colorado, n min
ing camp, in 1861.
Nos. ii to 19-Cuban, Filipino and
Spanish flags. 4t.
No. 2O-Confederate battle flag, cap
tured ut Camden Point, Missouri, July
1. 1864. by Troop #. Second Colorado
infantry.
No. 21-Confederate fihg captured by
Sergt. Byron L. Carr, Troop NJ, First
Rhode Island cavalry, at Front Royal
Virginia, May 30. 1862.
No. Confederate flag. captured by
Maj. A. A. Perkins, Twenty fifth Iowa
volunteers. at the battle OF jackson,
Mississippi. May IA, 1863. from the
Fourth Texas infantry. Flag torn and
blood-stained. .HA
No. 23-Confederate flag, first to
wave over the dome Of the capitol at
Richmond when Virginia seeded
April Il, 1891. 1891.