Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Photograph |
Catalog Number |
2020.fic.060 |
Description |
Close-up color photograph of the hand-painted center of the La Crosse Light Guard Flag. Hand-painted center reads: "Presented by the Ladies of La Crosse July 4, 1860 To The LA CROSSE LIGHT GUARD". |
Provenance |
When the Civil War began and President Lincoln called for volunteers in April 1861, Wisconsin’s volunteer militia companies answered the call. The La Crosse Light Guard marched into Madison under a beautiful white silk flag made for them by the ladies of La Crosse and became Company B of the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. On Thursday, May 2, 1861, the Wisconsin State Journal announced the company’s arrival at Camp Randall: "The first two companies of the Second Regiment arrived last evening… The La Crosse Light Guard, who were the first to enter the camp, were shown their quarters and relieved themselves of their accountrements…. The La Crosse Light Guards have gray coats and pants, striped and trimmed with black, with a dark blue cap. They bore a white silk flag, with blue fringe and inscribed on an oval ground in the center: ‘Presented by the ladies of La Crosse, July 4th, 1860, to the La Crosse Light Guards.’" |
Search Terms |
Civil War |
Notes |
This flag was transferred to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison, Wisconsin. |