York, PA - A flag that represented some of the first soldiers from York County during the Civil War exists in a collection at the York County Heritage Trust.
The flag, which was presented to the 16th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment by the ladies of York in 1861, says "semper paratus," meaning always ready, and carries the name of the regiment. Thomas A. Ziegle of York served as the colonel in that regiment.
Some members of the Civil War Reenactors of Hanover, 16th Pennsylvania Volunteers, wish to restore that flag as the 150th anniversary of the Civil War begins this year.
"If you don't preserve and save this flag now, it might not be here," said Bob Resig, who plays the role of a private with the re-enactors.
Resig said he intends to ask the York County Heritage Trust about restoring the flag.
Conservation decisions are made by a committee based on immediate usage, condition and the ability to raise money for preservation, said Joan Mummert, president and CEO of the York County Heritage Trust.
"We agree this is an important piece, considering the sesquicentennial," she said.
The committee will take it under advisement in January, Mummert said. While the Trust has some funding, it cannot expend it all. It has to raise money to preserve a piece.
Some of the re-enactors are interested in raising money to preserve it, Resig said. It's not clear how much the restoration would cost.
Artifacts from the war give people more of a hands-on to history, said Bruce Yealy, president of the 16th Pennsylvania Civil War Reeenactors of Hanover.
President Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to serve 90 days, hoping to quash the Southern revolt quickly, Resig said.
The 16th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, which included volunteers from York County, organized at Camp Curtin in Harrisburg and trained at Camp Scott in York County, according to Samuel P. Bates in the "History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865."
The ladies of York presented the silk flag to the regiment during a ceremony at the York County Courthouse.
The Battle of Falling Waters, in what is now West Virginia, was the most significant engagement the regiment saw during its short service, said Scott Mingus Sr., a local Civil War author.
The July 2, 1861, battle included men who would become famous during the Civil War, such as Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson.
While it was a Union victory -- the number of Union soldiers far outnumbered the Rebels -- the Confederates were able to escape and meet up with fellow troops at Bull Run in Virginia, according to the website of the Falling Waters Battlefield Association.
Less than three weeks later, the Confederates would win the Battle of Bull Run, according to the association's website. The war would last four years.
Some of the soldiers in the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment re-enlisted in other units after the 90 days were up to continue fighting.
Many battle flags have been lost over the years, and it's important to preserve such artifacts for future generations, Mingus said.
The flags not only were a strong symbol for the troops, but a way of communicating during the war, said Gary Gimbel, president of the Falling Waters Battlefield Association.
Soldiers often couldn't see their officers or hear the commands in battle because it was smoky and noisy, Gimbel said. The flags distinguished where each regiment was located and helped to control their movements.
That's why soldiers who captured the enemy's flag were awarded a medal of honor, Gimbel said.
These Civil War flags are unique as well, he said. It's not like today when the flags are manufactured to a standard size.
Some Civil War flags were cut up after the war because veterans wanted a piece of it as a souvenir, Mingus said.
About the flag
A book called "Advance the Colors!" by Richard A. Sauers and the Capitol Preservation Committee gives some history and description on the 16th Regiment's flag:
"At the request of a delegation of York ladies, Horstmann Brothers & Company manufactured a flag that the women presented to the regiment on June 8, in a ceremony in front of the York County Court House. This flag, now owned by the Historical Society of York County, is a 521/2" x 69" 34-star national flag, with '16th Regt. Penna. Vols.' painted on the center red stripe.
"The Latin motto 'Semper Paratus' (Always Prepared) is painted in the midst of the blue canton. 'Suspended from the heavily gilt spear and battle axe on the staff, was a pair of magnificent gold tassels and cord.' Horstmann also supplied the leather covering and carrying belt."
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