8th Michigan Volunteer Infantry
SC-21-90: Silk national ▪ Dimensions: 74.75”x 70.5”
Description:
This flag is the regiment’s presentation flag given to them on April 25, 1862. It is a silk national flag with white embroidered stars. Only 24 of the original 34 stars remain as there is a lot of lost material. The stars are five pointed and arranged in a rectangular pattern. Given the placement of the remaining stars, they would have been arranged in a 6-6-5-5-6-6 pattern. The fourth red and white stripes bear the regiment’s designation and motto. Embroidered in white on the Fourth red stripe is “8th Regiment Michigan Infantry” and embroidered in red on the fourth white stripe is “One County One Destiny.” There is no sleeve, it appears the flag was tied to a pole with ribbons and stapled.
The staff, which measures 81.5” by 1.25” is topped with finial of an eagle perched on a sphere. The finial is made of metal painted gold and is hollow in the center. It is badly dented. There is a metal cuff attached to the staff by four screws.
No tassels or cords remain.
The flag was netted (sewn between layers of dyed net) in the 1960s in an early attempt at conservation. Also, during this work, tight, modern zig-zag stitching was added in an attempt to enhance the stars.
Adoption:
June 17, 1995 - John Rice Burwell and Descendents
8th Michigan Volunteer Infantry
SC-26-90: Silk national ▪ Dimensions: 74.75”x 75.5” ▪ Cotton Fringe
Description:
This silk national flag was initially a 35-star flag, though 3 stars are missing due to loss in the canton. The flag is covered with battle honors, however there is so much loss in the white fabric, that only the honors on the red stripes can be read. The top red stripe lists the regimental designation “8th REGT. MICH. VET. VOL. INFTY.” The second red stripe reads “FORT PULASKI. WILMI-”. The third red stripe reads “CHANTILLA. SOUTH MOU-”. The fourth red stripe reads “VICKSBURG. BLUE SPRIN-”. The fifth red stripe reads “WILDERNESS. SPOTTSYLVANIA.” The sixth red stripe reads “COLD HARBOR. PETERSBURG.” The last red stripe reads “POPLAR GROVE CHURCH. FORT –“. In addition, there is a battle honor painted vertically along the hoist end of the flag. Only the letters in the red stripes are visible. What remains reads “-AC-ON”. The honors all appear to be painted in the same hand. A gold-colored cotton fringe surrounds the top, bottom, and fly end of the flag. The hoist end was fashioned into a sleeve for attachment to the staff.
The staff, which measures 108.25” by 1.25” is topped with a standard spade finial made by Evans and Hassal. The staffs of flags returned to the state at the 1866 Detroit ceremony marking the end of the war all bear identical brass plaques. The brass plaque reads in Spencerian script “8th Mich. Infantry”.
The flag has a 126” blue and white twisted silk cord and two 2” tassels. The tassels are formed on a wooden core.
The flag was netted (sewn between layers of dyed net) in the 1960s in an early attempt at conservation.
Adoption:
March 14, 1998 - Robert and Elizabeth Knowles
8th Michigan Volunteer Infantry
SC-34-90: Silk regimental ▪ Dimensions: 71”x 77” ▪ Cotton Fringe: 2.25”
Description:
This silk regimental flag is painted with the federal eagle with 35 stars in two rows arcing over the eagle. The top row contains 21 stars and the bottom 14. Below the eagle is painted a streamer reading “8th. REGT. MICH. VET. VOL. INFTY”. There is some loss, particularly in the painted areas of the flag. A gold-colored cotton fringe surrounds the top, bottom, and fly end of the flag. The hoist end was fashioned into a sleeve for attachment to the staff.
The staff, which measures 97.25” by 1.25” is topped by a spade finial. The staffs of flags returned to the state at the 1866 Detroit ceremony marking the end of the war all bear identical brass plaques. The brass plaque reads in Spencerian script “8th Mich. Infantry”.
No tassels or cord remain.
The flag was netted (sewn between layers of dyed net) in the 1960s in an early attempt at conservation.
Adoption:
October 22, 2016 - Scott and Sara Roy and the Roy and Stroup Families
8th Michigan Volunteer Infantry
SC-35-90: Silk national ▪ Dimensions: 73”x ? ▪ Gold Bullion Fringe: 2”
Description:
This flag is likely the flag given to the regiment by the citizens of Detroit. The flag was sent to the regiment in Virginia and was presented on March 11, 1862. The flag is silk national has 34 embroidered stars arranged in a 6-6-5-5-6-6 pattern. The pattern is aligned in columns rather than in rows on this flag. There are a number of splits in the white stripes, but the red stripes are relatively intact. Embroidered on the fourth red stripe is the regimental designation “8th. Michigan Infantry” Painted on the second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh red stripes are battle honors. Starting with the second red strip, they read: “PORT ROYAL S.C. COOSAW S.C.” “FORT PULASKI S.C. WILMINGOTN ISL, GA” “JAMES ISL. S.C. BULL RUN, VA. CHANTILLA, VA.” “SOUTH MOUNTAIN, MD. ANTIETAM, MD. FREDERICKSB-” “VICKSBURG & JACKSON, EAST TENNESSEE”. The battle honors painted on the seventh stripe are painted in a different style than the rest of the battle honors. Gold bullion fringe is attached long the top, bottom, and fly end of the flag. There is no pole sleeve, it appears the flag was attached to the staff with ribbons and/or nails.
The staff, which measures 87.75” by 1.25” is topped with a spear shaped finial. The staffs of flags returned to the state at the 1866 Detroit ceremony marking the end of the war all bear identical brass plaques. The brass plaque reads in Spencerian script “8th Mich. Infantry”.
No tassels or cords remain.
The flag was netted (sewn between layers of dyed net) in the 1960s in an early attempt at conservation.
Adoption:
June 6, 1996 - Mattawan Later Elementary School, Mrs. Sally Redinger’s and Mrs. Ross-Taylor’s Language Arts Classes
March 11, 2001 - Barry County Historical Society
8th Michigan Volunteer Infantry
SC-36-90: Silk national ▪ Dimensions: 69.5” x ? ▪ Cotton fringe: 2.25”
Description:
This silk national is very fragmentary. The canton has painted stars arranged in two concentric circles, but due to the amount of loss, it is impossible to determine the original number of stars. Only fifteen stars remain. There is also a lot of loss among the white and red silk, though there is more loss in the white stripes, likely due to bleaching the fabric. A small amount of gold colored silk fringe remains on the top and bottom of the flag. The hoist end was fashioned into a sleeve for attachment to the staff.
The staff, which measures 87.5” by 1.25” is topped with a spade finial. The staffs of flags returned to the state at the 1866 Detroit ceremony marking the end of the war all bear identical brass plaques. The brass plaque reads in Spencerian script “8th Mich. Infantry”.
The flag has a 138” blue and white twisted silk cord with two 2” blue tassels. The tassels are formed on a wooden core.
The flag was netted (sewn between layers of dyed net) in the 1960s in an early attempt at conservation.
Adoption: