THE 8 1H KANSAS VOLUNTEERS REGIMENTAL FLAG

Displayed in the Kansas State Historical Society Museum

Topeka, Kansas

Dr. Ernst F. Tonsing [/ ^o

Newly mounted on the wall just inside the entrance into the displays of the
Kansas State Historical Society Museum, Topeka, Kansas, is the 8th Kansas Volunteers
Battle Flag. I thought that members of the John Alexander Martin family would like a
description of this important heirloom of the Civil War.

The silk flag is about seven feet wide, six high, with a blue field and a gold fringe
on the top, bottom and right sides. It is competently painted, with convincing attention to
the fine details of the head and feathers of the "American Eagle" in the center. The eagle
has spread wings, and holds in its beak a white ribbon with the inscription, "E
PLURIBUS UNUM." Hanging from its neck on a chain is a crest with a blue field on
top, and vertical, alternating red and white stripes below. The right claw of the eagle
holds a clutch of arrows, the left claw a branch with eleven leaves and four red berries.
Below is a wide, red ribbon, upon which is written, "EIGHTH KANSAS VOLs."

Above the eagle's head in an arc are two rows of stars, twenty-one on the top row,
thirteen on the bottom. The stars represent the state of Kansas which was the thirty-
fourth to be admitted to the Union. The major campaigns of the unit during the Civil War
are listed with gold paint in the blue field on either side of the eagle, and continue the arc
downwards made by the stars. "PERRYVJLLE." is listed above 'LANCASTER." on the
left, "HOOVERS GAP." [sic] over "CHICAMAUGA." [sic] on the right. Below the
design is the fifth battle, "MISSION RIDGE."

The museum's label notes: "Of all the Kansas regiments in the Civil War, the
Eighth Kansas Volunteer Infantry went further east than any other. They saw action in
Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. This regimental flag recalls five battles fought by the
regiment between October 1862, and November 1863. At the battle of Chickamauga,
members of the Eighth learned the deadly honor of carrying the flag. Of nine flag
bearers, four were killed, three wounded, and two survived unhurt."

In an interview with the Curator of Textiles, I discovered that this flag is one of
the largest of the some eighty battle flags from the Civil War and the Spanish American
War held by the Kansas State Historical Society, and the flag is one of the most beautiful.
It's shape and size is unique among the other flags. It has the distinction of being the first
of the museum's flags to be treated, stabilized and displayed. Last having been unfurled
in 1905, it had deteriorated greatly. The skillful restoration was done by a woman on the
East Coast, at the cost of over $3,500, under the "Save the Flags" Conservation Project of
the museum.

From a letter from Mr. Blair D. Tarr, Curator of Decorative Arts, I have also
learned that there are four other flags from the Eighth Kansas Volunteer Infantry, two
nationals, another regimental, and a brigade flag from the unit which Col. Martin
commanded during the battle of Chickamauga. He kept this flag when the Army of the
Cumberland was reorganized shortly afterwards. An article in a Leavenworth paper in
1864 indicates that Col. Martin presented this flag to Governor Thomas Carney when he
returned to Kansas. The Kansas State Historical Society was chartered in 1875, and the
flags were transferred to the Society's collection in 1905 from the adjutant general's
office. The flags were in the Kansas State Capital Building until 1914, when they were
moved to the new Memorial Building southeast of the State House. They are now housed
at the newest museum center on west sixth street to the west of Menninger Hill in
Topeka. Mr. Tarr included a special appeal for monies to restore more of the flags.

I might mention that there is a reenactment group for the Eighth Kansas Volunteer
Infantry in Salina, Kansas. Headed by Dr. Merle J. "Boo" Hodges of Salina, they are
especially interested in and admiring of Col. Martin. Dr. Hodges was able to speak with
my father, the Rev. Ernest Tonsing, before his death, obtaining additional information
concerning his grandfather and our relative.

Ernst F. Tonsing,
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, Ca 91360