6th Vermont Infantry Regiment National Flag

6th Vermont Infantry Regiment National Flag

Manufactured by Paton & Company

6th Vermont Infantry Regiment national flag. Attached to staff by a sleeve. There are 34 white stars arranged 7-7-6-7-7. Regimental Designation says "6th Regt Vermont Vols" on the 8th stripe. Place of issue: Montpelier, Vt. Date of issue: 10/15/1861. When the 6th Vermont mustered into federal service in Montpelier on October 19, 1861 it continued the established pattern started with the previous five regiments by receiving a presentation flag. At Lee's Mills on April 16, 1862 the 6th Vermont first experienced battle exposure. Regimental Color Sergeant Ruluf Bellows of Company I carried the colors forward in the charge involving five companies of the regiment. Sergeant Bellows became disabled by a shot in the knee and "the colors fell from his fainting grasp into the water." First Sergeant Edward A. Holton of Company I, seeing the fallen flag and disregarding his personal safety, rescued the colors while exposed to the incessant fire. He carried them safely to the shore where examination showed the flag had been pierced by eleven bullets. After Lee's Mills the shot-ridden national color remained with the regiment until the winter of 1863-1864. However, by the fall of 1862, the color showed signs of wear. Colonel Nathan Lord wrote to Adjutant General Peter T. Washburn the following on October 25, 1862 to request new colors. Washburn failed to authorize the national flag to be replaced. It witnessed nine more engagements in which the 6th Vermont fought, the last being Rappahannock Station on November 7, 1863. Now the battle-worn condition of the banner warranted a replacement and the flag took a "suitable resting place" in the Vermont State House. But before the flag departed the regiment, Colonel Elisha Barney pinned upon the silk a paper listing the engagements the flag had been ivolved and signed his name and rank.

1861

64 x 70 inches

1870.001.014

New York (N.Y.)

Vermont State Curator's Office, 2 Gov. Aiken Avenue,
Montpelier, VT 05633