Photo Credit: Massachusetts State House Battle Flag Collection
First National. The Regiment’s First National Color was presented to the Regiment by Massachusetts Governor John Albion Andrews on January 10, 1862, while the Regiment was completing its training at Camp Cameron, MA.
The 34-star flag was made by Charles Eaton and was silk, painted, and measured 53 by 69.75 inches, the blue canton measuring 29 by 31.75 inches – slightly smaller than the dimensions prescribed in the 1861 Regulations. It is preserved in the Massachusetts Flag Collection along with its one piece, 10-foot wooden staff with a brass finial.
This Flag was carried by the Regiment throughout 1862, before being returned to the Massachusetts Adjutant General on January 10, 1863. Accompanying the return was a letter by Captain Charles Sanborn of the Regiment, reporting that the flag was carried at “James Island” (E.g.: – Near Charleston, SC, including the Battle of Secessionville, June 16, 1862); “Bull Run” (E.g.: the Second Battle of Bull Run, August 30, 1862); “Chantilly” (September 1, 1862); “South Mountain (September 14, 1862); “Sharpsburg & Antietam” (16-17 September 1862); and “Fredericksburg” (December 12-13, 1862.) Captain Sanborn further states that the “color was nobly carried and faithfully supported.” In these engagements, the Regiments suffered 515 casualties – Killed, Wounded, and Missing – “nobly carried and faithfully supported” indeed.