History of the Flags of the

145th Penna. Volunteer Infantry

Four colors were received by the 145th Pennsylvania.  Company F (recruited in Warren County), received a silk flag from the ladies of Tidioute on August 16th.  The Conneautville Soldiers' Aid Society presented a "beautiful flag" to Company H (recruited in Crawford County) on September 3.   A national color was presented to Company A on September 11.  A beautiful Silk Flag was received by the regiment in late September of 1862, which was procured by three Ladies in Erie.

First State Flag (1862 - 1864/65):

This flag was received by Regiment on October 14, 1862 while camped near Bolivar Heights.  In December of 1862, this flag was pierced 18 times by bullets at Fredericksburg (December 13, 1862).  The Regiment carried this flag throughout most of the war.  On June 16, 1864 during the attack on Petersburg, Colonel McCreary, upon talking with other officers, decided that instead of trying to make a death run back to Union lines, the Regiment would surrender.  The color bearer, J. C. Veit of Company B, wrapped this flag around his body during his entire stay as a prisoner of war.  Just before his release, Col. McCreary had the flag divided amongst the men. 

            The following letter was printed in the Erie Daily Times on March 6, 1906.  It was written by the color bearer, J. C. Veit, of Company B.  Click here to read this Letter by J. C. Veit.

           

            Location of Flag:        Non-existent

Second State Colors (1865):

 Photo Courtesy of Pennsylvania Capital Preservation Committee

            With no State colors, a new one was created by the Horstmann Brothers on May 16, 1865.  It was sent to the Regiment, and received by Major Charles Lynch in time to display it for the Grand Review at the end of May of 1865.

 

            Location of Flag:        Harrisburg, PA  (as of 2004)

            Caretaker:                  Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee

The Pennsylvania Capital Preservation Committee has a large collection of Pennsylvania State Flags from various time periods.  The flags have been in their care for quite some time.  They have a searchable database for many Pennsylvania Flags.  Their site can be visited here:  Pennsylvania Capital Preservation Committee Flag Collection

National Colors

               

This flag was procurred by three ladies in Erie in September of 1862, Augusta Craig, Ida Craig, and Julia Pelton.  By the time the flag was complete, the Regiment had already left Erie and was camped near Harper's Ferry.  The flag was sent with John S. Brown to be delivered to the regiment.  Lt. Col. David McCreary received the colors, who thus presented it to Col. Hiram Brown on behalf of these three ladies and the city of Erie on September 30, 1862.  This flag was carried at Fredericksburg, and was pierced 13 times by bullets and a piece or railroad iron (possibly from Confederate artillery).  A piece of a shell pierced the staff in two.  Both wings of the eagle on top of the staff were also shot off.  The flag was sent back to Erie in April of 1863, and returned to Sheriff Craig, father of Augusta and Ida Craig. 

On September 25, 1862, the Erie Weekly Gazette published the following article::

    “ Flag for Col. Brown’s Regiment – A new and elegant Silk Flag for the 145th Regiment (Col. H. L. Brown) is now in this city.  It was made in New York, and procured through the ezertions of three young ladies – Augusta and Ida Craig, daughters of Sheriff Craig, and Julia Pelton, daughter of H. Pelton, Esq.  The entire cost of this beautiful testimonial was about $90.  It will be taken down to-day (Wednesday) by John S. Brown, and presented to the Regiment.

   We commend the zeal and patriotism with which these young ladies have labored to obtain a fitting tribute of respect for those who have gone to the “tented field”.  We doubt not that their efforts will be duly appreciated by the members of the Regiment, and that this Flag will be bravely borne by them throughout all the trials and difficulties they may encounter, and finally brought back in safety without a stain on its escutcheon.  The motto of its recipients should be:

         “Forever float that standard sheet!

         Where breathes the foe but falls before us,

         With freedom’s soil beneath our feet;

         And freedom’s banner streaming o’er us.””

 The following month, on October 16, 1862, an article was published in the Erie Weekly Gazette by a correspondent of the newspaper traveling with the 145th PVI.  The article told of the movements of the Regiment since they left Erie.  It was written at Harper's Ferry, VA on October 2nd, 1862.  Click here to read the portion of the letter regarding the Regiment receiving the flag.

This following article was from the Erie Weekly Gazette, April 23, 1863.  The National flag had been so badly shot up at Fredericksburg, the Regiment could no longer carry it.  It tells of the return of the flag to Erie.

      “The Flag presented to the 145th Regiment by a number of young ladies in our City soon after its formation last fall, and severely riddled by shot and ball in the Fredericksburg fight, was sent home a few days ago to Sheriff Craig, and may now be seen in the Union Reading Room.  It is intended to place it in the Court Room, in the rear of the Judges’ Bench, accompanied by a suitable painted inscription.  As a “relic” from our own brave boys, it will be carefully preserved and ever regarded with interest.”

            Location of Flag:        Blasco Memorial Library Heritage Room, Erie, PA (as of 2004)