A Flag with a Unique Story

Bruce and Terri Miller recently adopted the flag of the Third Brigade, First Division, 5th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, flag SC-227-90. Our sincere thanks to them for their great support. This marks only the second time that a designating flag in the Michigan Capitol Battle Flag collection has been adopted.

The flag being adopted has a very unique history. After coming into the state’s possession (date of accession unrecorded) the flag was mistakenly returned to the state of Kentucky in September of 1941. Well intentioned, although misguided, Michigan officials believed it to be a Kentucky confederate hospital flag and it was delivered to Kentucky officials as a part of the return of Confederate flags that had been captured by Michigan troops during the Civil War. Rare color film of a part of the ceremony that took place on the Michigan State Capitol steps may be seen here. 

The official program for this event, including the lunch menu that was served at the Hotel Olds, may be viewed here. In 1988 (see attached article from Michigan History Magazine) Kentucky officials realized the mistake and very graciously returned the flag to Michigan. It is believed that the flag originally made its way into the Michigan collection through a member of the 16th Michigan (a member regiment of the Brigade) or possibly through Colonel Thomas Stockton who commanded the Brigade. We are hoping that more research will help us learn more about this very unique flag.