9th Michigan Volunteer Infantry
SC-28-90: Silk national ▪ Dimensions: 70.5”x 72”
Description:
This silk national is very fragmentary with only a small amount of silk from the middle of the flag remaining. As the canton is completely gone, it is impossible to determine the number of stars or pattern. Part of a regimental designation remains in the area that would have been the fourth red stripe. What remains reads “9TH REGT.”
The staff, which measures 87.25” by 1.25” is stained darker than many of the Civil War flags in the collection. The middle of the staff is glued together and appears to have marks from a cuff. The staff is rounded at the bottom and has marks from being in a stand in the capitol cases. A base of a finial is at the top of the staff, but no finial remains.
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:
9th Michigan Volunteer Infantry
SC-29-90: Silk regimental ▪ Dimensions: 73”x 77” ▪ Cotton Fringe
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 20 stars and the bottom 15. There is one star that is largely missing from the top row. Below the eagle is painted a streamer reading “9th MICH. Vet. Vol. Infty.” Along the side of the flag are painted two streamers bearing battle honors. The left side reads “CHATTANOOGA. STONE RIVER. RESACA.” The right side reads “MURFREESBORO. CHICAMAUGA. ATLANTA.” Overall, the flag is very intact, though there is some loss in the painted areas and in a few other locations there appears to be loss from souvineering. If was not uncommon during the Civil War for small portions of the flag to be cut off and given away as tokens or mementoes. Attached along the top, bottom and fly end of the flag is a gold-colored cotton fringe. The hoist of the flag was fashioned into a sleeve for attachment to the staff.
The staff measures 96.25” by 1” and the finial is missing. Two plaques are attached to the staff. One is very difficult to read, but starts “Regimental colors for Inf-“and is likely a manufacturer’s tag. The second plaque is consistent with those attached to the staffs of flags returned in the 1866 Detroit ceremony making the end of the war. In Spencerian script it reads “9th Mich. Infantry”.
The flag has a 128” blue and white twisted silk cord with two 1.5” blue and white 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:
May 28, 2003 - Anchor Bay Middle School “Team Toast”
November 4, 2006 - Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Michigan Department
9th Michigan Volunteer Infantry
SC-33-90: Silk national ▪ Dimensions: 70”x 71”
Description:
This flag was likely given to the regiment by the ladies of Tennessee after the battle of Stones River in early 1863. It is a silk national flag and is relatively intact with most of the loss being along the fly end of the flag. It has an interesting mix of painted and embroidered elements. The gold-colored stars are painted. On the fourth red stripe, the regimental designation is embroidered. What remains reads “9th Michigan I V.” Battle honors are listed starting on the white stripe below the regimental designation. The first is embroidered “STONE RIV-”. On the following three lines are painted battle honors reading “MURFREESBOR-” “CHICKAMA-” “CHATTANOO-”. The canton appears to have faded and there is dye bleed into the canton and the white stripes.
The staff, which measures 86.25” by 2” and is topped by a spade 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 “9th Mich. Infantry”.
The flag has a 121” blue and white twisted silk cord with two 2” blue and white 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:
October 18, 2004 - Courthouse Square Questers #745