The Flags of the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Bob Ducharme writes:

The flag presented by the ladies of Worcester was 5' 9" by 6'. The stars and lettering were painted in gold. The stars were arranged in a concentric circular pattern and tipped at random angles, as were all other Worcester County Regimental flags. This was lettered "WOR. CO. VOL 15th REGIMENT". The cords and tassels were white with blue. It had 6 ties. On the flag staff, just below the presentation flag, was a silver plate with the inscription – "Presented to the 15th REGIMENT WORCESTER Co. VOLs By the Ladies of Worcester AUG'T. , 1861". A date for the presentation (August 7th) must not have been decided on when the shield was engraved.

The state color was white with the state shield centered upon it. It had a red ribon below the shied that said "15th Regiment Massachusetts". It was approx 3' 6" by4' 6", with tassels the same as the national colors.

The second national flag, issued in late 1862, was approx 6' by 6'3". Stars were tipped at random angles, with 2 rows of 7, 2rows of 3, and 2 rows of 7. Painted on the flag in gold is "15th Regiment Massachusetts". I am not sure if it said "Vols", as that part of the flag has been shot away.

The colors were captured by a member of the 3rd GA Regt on June 22, 1864. After the war, they were stored in the War Dept. In 1894, they were finally returned and put on display in the State House.

The following letter from George H. WARD on the subject is quoted in Andrew Ford's history of the 15th, Ford makes the comment that the flags are now (1933) kept in the state house..

Camp near Falmouth, VA

February 22, 1863

To: Hon. Waldo Lincoln, Mayor, Worcester

My Dear Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 14th inst., informaing me of the action of the City Council, and hasten to reply.

"The Old Flag", the stars and stripes which were presented to the Fifteenth Regiment by the ladies of Worcester and which have been through so many battles and never yet disgraced, have been sent, at the request of the state authorities, to Boston, and in return we have received new ones. It would have been our choice to have returned the national flag to the fair hands that made it, for they were preeminently entitled to it, and there the torn and tattered emblem of our nationality would feel more at home, where it would receive the hearty congratulations of its nearest firends.

They are a curiosity to behold; still one cannot look upon them without a feeling of pride mingled with sadness, proud of the honorable position they have always taken in every battle; sad to think of the many brave and noble dead that have fallen beneath them. the regiment was slow to part with the, but they had become so mutilated that they had not been unfurled for a long time, except in battle, and then only as a sign of defiance, a challenge for supremacy to a treacherous and unscrupulous foe. Inasmuch as the flags are now in possession of the state, the regiment is not inclined to dictate as to their final disposal, but any arrangement the city government can make with the state authorities will be perfectly satisfactory to the reigment. With many thanks for your kindness, I have the honor to remain,

Very truly yours,

George H. Ward

Colonel, Fifteenth Mass. Vols.