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 The Small Flag with a Huge Story  In honor of July 4th, 2005, the New Hampshire Historical Society displayed a flag that Civil War prisoners used to show their strength and patriotism 141 years ago. "The glorious little flag" was on view at the Society's Museum of New Hampshire History from June 29 through July 10, 2005. The most infamous Civil War prison was operated by the Confederate States of America at Andersonville, Georgia. Located in rural southwestern Georgia, it was opened in February 1864. Within a stockade on 26.5 acres of land, 33,000 captured Union soldiers were confined. During the 15 months the prison was operated, almost 13,000 Union prisoners died from malnutrition, exposure, and disease. The horrors of Andersonville became synonymous with the atrocities that Northern and Southern soldiers experienced as prisoners of war. Surrounded by death and suffering, soldiers of the 5th New Hampshire Volunteers imprisoned at Andersonville showed their strength in the face of adversity by drawing a United States flag on a scrap of cotton cloth with red and blue ink and singing patriotic songs on July 4th, 1864. Jared M. Davis (b.1839), who served as a sergeant in the 5th New Hampshire Volunteers, preserved the flag and donated it to the New Hampshire Historical Society. With his donation of the flag, Mr. Davis wrote: "The above Flag was raised in Andersonville Prison, at Andersonville Ga. by the Union Prisoners of War there confined, July 4th 1864; on which occasion they sang the "Star Spangled Banner," "Rally Round the Flag Boys," and other National Airs. Presented by a member of the 5th who was a prisoner at the time, and owned the glorious little Flag." Who Are We? Founded in 1823, the New Hampshire Historical Society is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and sharing New Hampshire history. The Society serves thousands of children and adults each year through its Museum of New Hampshire History, research library, educational programs, and award-winning publications. Join Us! The New Hampshire Historical Society is not a state-funded agency. All of the Society's programs and services are made possible by dues and contributions from individuals, foundations, and businesses. Free admission to Museum of New Hampshire History and free use of library research resources are two of the many benefits of membership in the New Hampshire Historical Society. You are invited to join today! Call the membership department at 603/856-0621 or use our convenient and secure online membership form.  |
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