Civil War Flag Donated to the Collection
A very rare, important, and incredibly generous donation was made to Save the Flags on Thursday, August 20, 2026. The descendants of General James Harvey Kidd of Ionia, who commanded the Sixth Michigan Cavalry Regiment, donated the flag carried by Company E of the Sixth during the Civil War.
General Kidd organized Company E in Ionia, Michigan at the start of the war, where he received his commission as Captain and advanced through the ranks to Colonel and eventually Brevet Brigadier General. Although wounded 3 times during the war, he survived his injuries and became a fixture of Ionia, Michigan as the owner, publisher, and editor of the Ionia Sentinel.
Along with the donation of the flag, the family also donated two “Custer ties,” one of which was worn by General Kidd in his important role delivering an address at the unveiling of the Custer equestrian monument in Monroe, Michigan on June 4, 1910.
Our sincere thanks to the descendants of General Kidd for their longtime care of these important artifacts and for trusting Save the Flags to continue that care in perpetuity.
(above, left) Company E, Sixth Michigan Cavalry swallowtail guidon with two Custer ties and adorable “Holeproof” sock box the flag was lovingly stored in all these years. (above, right) Captain James Harvey Kidd.
(above, left) President Howard Taft, delivering comments at the Custer monument unveiling. (above, right) The family of James Harvey Kidd with another 6th Michigan Cavalry flag that is already in the Capitol battle flag collection - left to right: Lois Kidd Scott, James Kidd Duczyminski, Margaret Kidd Gregory, Carol Kidd Duczyminski, Ann Welch, Don Duczyminski.