Adjutant and Inspector General Reports
1865 Report
CAPTURED REBEL FLAGS.
In February, 1865, I made application to the War Department for permission to take into the custody of the State the rebel flags which have been captured by Vermont troops during the war, believing that the State was best entitled to the possession of these evidences of the daring of her sons, and would best preserve them in such way that they could be seen by their gallant captors, and those who shall hereafter represent them in life, while, if displayed at the War Department, they would remain a constant source of mortification and grief to the future representatives in the Congress of the United States of those States who so foolishly and with such utter failure submitted under them to the arbitrament of the sword. This request was renewed in July, but has not yet been granted, the Secretary of War not deeming himself authorized to grant it under present legislation, but communicating his intent to recommend to Congress the enactment of a lew which would authorize the delivery of all such flags to the State authorities. The reply of the Secretary of War will be found in Appendix B.
 Returned Colors |
Troops in the Field |