15th Indiana Volunteers flag collection
Collection — Folder: S1536
Identifier: S1536
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of six items, beginning with "The Dying Drummer Boy" narrative by Joshua Burrows, New Albany, Indiana, published in the Indianapolis Journal on December 5, 1862. The four-page typed story tells about Jerry, a drummer boy from the 101st Indiana Regiment, who died of fever in Lebanon, Kentucky. Mr. Burrows served as his nurse, and wrote the story on November 25, 1862.
The 2nd item is a two-sided, printed order No. 20 from Headquarters of the Fourth Army Corps in November 1863, commending the soldiers for their "brilliant achievement" and "gallant conduct" in the assault on Mission Ridge, Chattanooga, Tennessee, on November 25, 1863.
The 3rd item is a one-page, handwritten letter to George L. Banks from the War Department, September 21, 1897, informing him that he has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for "most distinguished gallantry in action" at Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863. When "near the summit, he was wounded and left behind insensible, but having recovered consciousness, rejoined the advance, again took the flag, and carried it forward to the enemy's works when he was again wounded." The flag of the 15th Regiment was the first one planted on the parapet.
The 4th item is a four-page, handwritten letter by George L. Banks in Independence, Kansas, to Major D. I. McCormich, in Indianapolis, Indiana, telling him about battles of the 15th Indiana at Stone River on December 31, 1862, and Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863. His letter concludes: "The boys differ as to the number of times it was hit. Comrade Coles says 29 times. Capt. Nicar says it had over 100 bullet holes in it. Who is nearest right, I do not know."
The 5th item is a four-page typed paper to "Comrades of the 15th Indiana" which gives "an imperfect history of the flags under which we marched and fought for three years during our civil war," written by George L. Banks.
The last item is a three-page, typed list of "Flags That Are Encased," giving the regiment, case, flag, and banner numbers.
The 2nd item is a two-sided, printed order No. 20 from Headquarters of the Fourth Army Corps in November 1863, commending the soldiers for their "brilliant achievement" and "gallant conduct" in the assault on Mission Ridge, Chattanooga, Tennessee, on November 25, 1863.
The 3rd item is a one-page, handwritten letter to George L. Banks from the War Department, September 21, 1897, informing him that he has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for "most distinguished gallantry in action" at Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863. When "near the summit, he was wounded and left behind insensible, but having recovered consciousness, rejoined the advance, again took the flag, and carried it forward to the enemy's works when he was again wounded." The flag of the 15th Regiment was the first one planted on the parapet.
The 4th item is a four-page, handwritten letter by George L. Banks in Independence, Kansas, to Major D. I. McCormich, in Indianapolis, Indiana, telling him about battles of the 15th Indiana at Stone River on December 31, 1862, and Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863. His letter concludes: "The boys differ as to the number of times it was hit. Comrade Coles says 29 times. Capt. Nicar says it had over 100 bullet holes in it. Who is nearest right, I do not know."
The 5th item is a four-page typed paper to "Comrades of the 15th Indiana" which gives "an imperfect history of the flags under which we marched and fought for three years during our civil war," written by George L. Banks.
The last item is a three-page, typed list of "Flags That Are Encased," giving the regiment, case, flag, and banner numbers.
Dates
- 1862-1921
Creator
- United States. War Department (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
George L. Banks was the Color Sergeant of the 15th Indiana Volunteers during the Civil War. He served in Company C. In 1911, Mr. Banks, residing in Independence, Kansas, was director of the 3rd District of the Old Soldiers' Southern Kansas Reunion Association when he wrote to Major D. I. McCormick about carrying the flag in battle. The flag had over 100 bullet holes.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a records donation.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2015/03/12 by Nikki Stoddard Schofield. EAD finding aid created 2015/03/12 by Nikki Stoddard Schofield.
Creator
- United States. War Department (Organization)
- Banks, George L. (Person)
- Burrows, Joshua (Person)
- Title
- 15th Indiana Volunteers flag collection
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
