Photo Diary:
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A Photo Diary
August 31, 2003
Click on the photo to view a larger version of the image.
Michigan Historical Museum staff photos except where noted.
The
Parade
Photo:
Meri Schoof |
The Fourth Unfurls Its Flag
Three reenactor organizations for the Fourth Michigan Infantry (Companies A, I and G)
attended the ceremony. They were joined by reenactors for the Seventh Michigan and 47th Virginia
Infantries. Here Company A of the Fourth unfurls its beautiful hand-painted flag, a careful replica
of one of the regiment’s original battle flags. Looking on is Milton DeVinney (in the hat),
Henry Seage’s great-grandson. |
Photo:
Meri Schoof |
Union
and Confederate Honor Guards
Joining forces, Union and Confederate reenactors served as color guards
for the Fredericksburg flag. They accompanied the flag as it was carried from the Rappahannock River to
Market Square in the heart of Fredericksburg, retracing the route taken by the Fourth Michigan as it
crossed the pontoon bridge and climbed the steep city streets toward the desperate fighting on
December 13, 1862. |
Photo:
Meri Schoof |
Modern Flag Bearers
The flag, carefully enclosed in a beautiful oak carrying case made by Michigan Historical Museum
staff, was carried by the direct descendants of Henry Seage, including great-grandsons Milton
DeVinney and Steve Roberts. Seage’s great-great grandson—and even a great-great-great
grandson!—also served as flag bearers. |
Photo:
Meri Schoof |
Parade
Through the streets of Fredericksburg, with fife and drums and banners flying, the flag was carried home. Women
in period dress joined the parade. The route was lined with cheering bystanders—some of them
descendants of those who lived in Fredericksburg during the Civil War. |
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Bringing
the Flag Home
The flag passed through streets where George Washington and Abraham Lincoln once walked. It
passed by buildings once shattered by Union shells. Michigan took the flag as a token of war.
Now Michigan was bringing it home. |
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Market
Square
The parade ended at Market Square in the center of town. Here a large number of onlookers gathered
to get their first glimpse of the flag. First to arrive were Union and Confederate reenactors and
musicians. Reenactors continued to act as color guards during the ceremony. |
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(Eric Perkins of the Michigan Historical Museum
Collections Unit and Kerry Chartkoff of the Save the Flags Committee provided this diary of the flag return. Michigan Historical Museum staff photos, except where noted.)
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The Fredericksburg Flag Homecoming
