Flag

Object Name:

Flag

Object ID:

2019.025

Date:

1863

Description:

Framed piece of 12th New Hampshire Regiment flag. Star and part of seal painted in gold on blue silk. Hand-lettered label, matted in frame: "Portion of the State Color of the Twelfth New Hampshire Volunteers torn from the dying grasp of Sergeant William J. Howe - Company E - on the field of Gettysburg - July 2, 1863 - and brought from the fight by Private Albert W. Bacheler. One half the relic was later sent to Sergeant Howe's parents - the other (from which this piece was taken) retained by Lieutenant Bacheler. At his death it was placed in the Hall of Flags at the State House, Concord, New Hampshire where the main portion with its staff is preserved." Circa 1932 handwritten label attached to back of frame: "This flag is the property of / Stanley C. Gifford. / Presented to him by Mrs. A. W. Bacheler / May 8th 1932, in memory of her husband."

Material:

Textile
Silk

Dimensions:

W-2.2 L-12.75 inches

Provenance:

Fragment of 12th New Hampshire Regiment flag carried at Gettysburg by Sergeant William J. Howe of Company E, and then by Private Albert W. Bacheler upon Howe's death on the battlefield. Bacheler sent half of the flag to Sergeant Howe's parents. The other half (from which this piece was taken) was retained by Bacheler and placed in the Hall of Flags at the State House after his death. His wife gave this piece to Stanley C. Gifford in 1932. It was purchased by the donor at a Bacheler estate auction.

Credit Line:

Gift of William "Happy" Gilmore

Subjects:

Civil War, Battle flags, Battlefields