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Scarce "BATTLE FLAGS of OHIO-Mexican War, Civil War, Cuban War Last Parade April 27th, 1916" Ribbon. The ribbon measures 5.5" x 1 13/16" and is in fine condition.

$150.00 plus shipping

" BATTLE FLAGS OF OHIO, IN ROTUNDA OF STATE HOUSE. REPORT OF COMMITTEE. COLUMBUS, OHIO, December 27, 1916.

Governor FRANK B. WILLIS, Executive Department, S talte Houue, Columbus, Ohio. SIR:- The Committee appointed by you for the purpose of placing the Ohio battle flags in the rotunda Of the State House have the honor to make the following report: After the contract had been made for the bronze cases in. which the flags were to be deposited, an invitation was sent out through the headquarters of the Grand Army Of’ the Republic Department Of Ohio, tO all Posts of the G. A. R., to the Mexican War Veterans Association and Spanish-American War Veterans Camps to assemble at Columbus on the 27th day of April, 1916, to take part in the exercises for removal of the flags to the rotunda of the Capitol. On that date thousands of veterans assembled at Columbus showing that the memory of the heroic days of all our wars kept warm in their hearts. The parade in charge Of C01. B. L. Bargar, Marshal of the day, with an escort of several companies Of the Ohio National Guard, the veterans were formed by regiments and paraded around the Capitol Square amid the ap— plause Of the thousands of assembled citizens. It had been arranged that the old tattered banners were to be carried in the parade by members Of the regiments to which they belonged, but by reason of a dizzling rain that part of the program was dispensed with. The flags were placed in the corridors along the Stairways and in the halls of the Capitol building and were viewed by the great throngs from all parts Of the State, and tears came to the eyes Of many a grizzled' veteran as he touched the old flag he had followed on many a field of battle, for the last time. The Committee had prepared and distributed hundreds of beautiful badges as souvenirs with the inscription BATTLE FLAGS of OHIO.

Mexican War Civil War Spanish War

Last Parade April 27th, 1916.

After the parade a bountiful lunch was served in the basement of the Capitol building by the ladies of the W. R. C. and ladies of the Spanish War Auxiliary. At one o’clock the throngs assembled at the west front Of the Capitol where the ceremonies Of the day concluded with the following program: ' SPEAKING. Introducing the Chairman of the Meeting—General 1. Warren Keifer. Representing Department Commander G. A. R.—General B. W. Hough, Adjutant General of Ohio. Invocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Rev. Thomas G. Wakefield, Chaplain, Wells Post No. 451, Columbus, Ohio. ’ Music. Band.

Work of Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Col. W. L. Curry, Chairman Committee for Removal and Casing Of Flags in Rotunda. Song.

Republican Glee Club—Star Spangled Banner. Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Governor Frank B. Willis. Song. ' Democratic Glee Club—Columbia, Gem of the Ocean. Music by Veteran Drum Corps. ' Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Ex-Governor James E. Campbell. Music. Band.

The flags are all marked by bronze shields with the number of regiment and arm of service engraved, and shields securely » attached to the flag staffs. The flags were removed from the relic room and placed in the cases by a detail of veterans each day as the cases were erected. ' ‘ There are eleven cases and the total number of flags en— cased are 455. ' Mexican War . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Civil War . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421 Spanish-American War . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 State and miscellaneous flags and markers . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7 455 Miscellaneous flags and markers not in cases . . . . . . . . . . .. 19 474

[ocr errors] A list of flags in the cases with number of regiment, bat— tery or other organization, and arm of service is herewith attached. There are 19 miscellaneous flags for which there is not room in the cases and a balance of $1,099 Of the appropriation in the Treasury. The Committee earnestly recommends that a sufficient amount be appropriated by the Legislature for the purpose of . purchasing another case in which to deposit the remaining flags, and for a number of other flags of regiments missing which we are"making an effort to locate. The duties of the Committee appointed by you to carry out the provisions of the law now drawing to a close, we take this opportunity to thank you for the honon conferred by the appointment with assurance that we have gladly devoted our time to this patriotic work. These battle flags were borne to victory by the soldiers of Ohio on many hard contested fields of battle and we herewith submit some interesting historical data relating to their services..."