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The Small Flag with a Huge Story
The Story of the "glorious little Flag"
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 the independent, nonprofit that saves, preserves, and shares New Hampshire history. The Society serves thousands
of children and adults each year through its museum exhibitions, 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 the Society's museum 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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