Indiana Battle Flag Commission records
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: S1773
Scope and Contents
This collection includes documents from David I. McCormick and the Indiana Battle Flag Commission in Indianappolis, Indiana, ranging form 1864 to 1931, regarding research on Indiana battle flags and the business of the commission. Included are an anecdote about Captain David Van Buskirk of the 27th Indiana recorded by McCormick; a history of the 57th Indiana Regiment; information about flags and regimental histories; correspondence about the creation of the catalogue of Indiana battle flags and seeking privately-owned Indiana battle flags; lists of flags; records of public presentation; and the published catalogues.
Dates
- 1864-1931
Creator
- McCormick, David Isaac, 1849-1937 (Person)
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.
Administrative History
"In January 1909, in keeping with the provisions of an act of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, Governor J. Frank Hanly appointed the members of the Indiana Battle Flag Commission, whose duty it was to repair, encase and preserve the battle flags of the State of Indiana.
From the creation of the Commission to the present time [1924] they have built eighty-one cases containing flas which at present time are located in the Capitol building."
Excerpt from:
"Statement of Receipts and Expenditures of the Indiana Battle Flag Commission from January 1, 1909 to September 30, 1924." Indianapolis, IN: National Printing Co., 1924.
From the creation of the Commission to the present time [1924] they have built eighty-one cases containing flas which at present time are located in the Capitol building."
Excerpt from:
"Statement of Receipts and Expenditures of the Indiana Battle Flag Commission from January 1, 1909 to September 30, 1924." Indianapolis, IN: National Printing Co., 1924.
Biographical Note
David Isaac McCormick was born on March 4, 1849 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Joseph McCormick (of the McCormick Creek family) and Mary Elizabeth (Hickman) McCormick. When he was 19, he joined the 159th Indiana Infantry Regiment, serving in the last year of the U.S. Civil War. McCormick continued military service with the National Guard after the war and joined the 159th Indiana Regiment again during the Spanish-American War. He eventually achieved a rank of second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and was eventually promoted to major in the National Guard. Between service, he worked for railroads and in factories, and as an experienced stonecutter. McCormick married Jennie Clay Myers on July 31, 1872, and the couple had four children: Mary Kathryn, Roscoe Elmer, Samuel Eli, and Frederick “Fred” Evanson. He was a Freemason and avid flag enthusiast, and was eventually appointed commissioner of the Indiana Battle Flag Commission in 1909, holding the position until his death. He cared for the Indiana state flags, as well as the Civil War regimental flags and banners, many of which are still preserved today. McCormick died on February 15, 1937 and is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.
Sources:
Ancestry.com. “2nd Lieutenant David I McCormick.” U.S., Spanish American War Volunteers Index to Compiled Military Service Records, 1898. Accessed September 3, 2024. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. “David McCormac.” 1880 United States Federal Census. Accessed September 3, 2024. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
FamilySearch. “David I. McCormick.” Indiana Marriages, 1811-2019. Accessed September 3, 2024. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HWC7-N13Z
FamilySearch. “David I. McCormick.” United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940. Accessed September 3, 2024. https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/sources/M4X9-2DD.
FindAGrave.com. “Maj. David Isaac McCormick.” Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed September 3, 2024. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45967967/david-isaac-mccormick.
Sources:
Ancestry.com. “2nd Lieutenant David I McCormick.” U.S., Spanish American War Volunteers Index to Compiled Military Service Records, 1898. Accessed September 3, 2024. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. “David McCormac.” 1880 United States Federal Census. Accessed September 3, 2024. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
FamilySearch. “David I. McCormick.” Indiana Marriages, 1811-2019. Accessed September 3, 2024. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HWC7-N13Z
FamilySearch. “David I. McCormick.” United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940. Accessed September 3, 2024. https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/sources/M4X9-2DD.
FindAGrave.com. “Maj. David Isaac McCormick.” Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed September 3, 2024. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45967967/david-isaac-mccormick.
Extent
0.04 Cubic Feet (2 folders)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by subject.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from A. L. Kerwood via David I. McCormick on 1909/11/23 and others.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2017/03/16 by Lauren Patton. EAD finding aid created 2017/03/16 by Lauren Patton. EAD finding aid revised 2024/09/03 by A.J. Chrapliwy; 2024/09/26 by Lauren Patton.
- Flags -- Indiana
- Indiana Battle Flag Commission
- Mexican War, 1846-1848
- Military veterans
- Soldiers
- Spanish-American War, 1898
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Flags
- United States. Army. Indiana Infantry Regiment, 57th (1861-1865)
- Veterans -- Indiana
- Wars
Creator
- McCormick, David Isaac, 1849-1937 (Person)
- Indiana Battle Flag Commission (Organization)
- Title
- Indiana Battle Flag Commission records
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
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
