SUVCW Blair Camp Flag
August 6, 2024, was another “Banner Day” (pun fully intended) for Save the Flags. Through the remarkable kindness and generosity of a young man--Douglas Hinton III-- Save the Flags was the beneficiary of a flag used by the Austin Blair Camp of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War from Jackson, Michigan. While the flag is not a battle flag, it’s donation to our collection will help us tell the very important story of a descendant organization of the Grand Army of the Republic. The Sons was founded in 1881 as “a fraternal auxiliary for lineal descendants.”
The SUVCW is recognized as the legal heir and successor to the Grand Army of the Republic and it carries on the GAR's traditions and memory. Douglas, a descendant of a Michigan soldier who saw action with the 6th Michigan Cavalry, recognized immediately the importance of this flag, purchased it at an antique mall in Mason, Michigan and then made the extraordinary decision to donate the flag to Save The Flags. Douglas also made a $1,000 donation and will be adopting a flag of the 6th Michigan Cavalry in the near future.
Further research will be needed to date the flag but the Austin Blair Camp of the SUVCW was formed in 1914 and continues today—the second oldest Sons Camp in the Michigan Department. Save the Flags would like to thank Mr. Douglas Hinton III and his family including his parents Tresa and Doug and also Mr. John Gibney (a long-time supporter of Save the Flags) for their assistance and kindness in helping us preserve this important artifact of service and sacrifice.
