by Christopher Piering

During the Civil War, the contribution of immigrants to the cause of the Union has often been cited as a vital part of its success. Many ethnic groups made notable contributions. The Jewish population of Onondaga County was no exception. Many were members of the 149th NY Infantry, where 6 men won the Medal of Honor.

By 1862, it was evident that the rebellion of the southern states would not be short-lived. President Lincoln issued a call for 300,000 men to fill the ranks of the United States Army. Syracuse and its surrounding communities quickly answered the call, and the 122nd New York from Onondaga County was born. Immediately afterward, recruitment for the 4th Onondaga Regiment began. The regiment, consisting of 10 companies comprised of 100 men each, was given the designation: 149th New York State Volunteers. The companies were recruited principally as follows; A, B, C & D at Syracuse, F at Manlius, Dewitt, and Fabius, G at Syracuse, Skaneateles, Van Buren, Lysander, Elbridge and Manlius, H at Syracuse, Brewerton, Cicero and Centreville, I at Syracuse, Otisco and Fabius and K at Syracuse, Baldwinsville and Tully.

Colonel Henry Barnum received authority to recruit the 149th and began in earnest on August 24th. Germans from the north side had begun to form a company under Captain Nicholas Grumbach; while the Irish formed under Captain James Lynch. The Jewish population also wished to do their part, but there was division over how to best contribute. The final decision to represent themselves as a group would best show the members of the Know – Nothing Party that the Jewish people were patriots willing to fight for their country.

During the week of August 24th, 1862, a recruiting office for Jewish volunteers was opened. The Reverend Dr. Solomon Deutsch led the effort at the Society of Concord; and by the week’s end, twenty men had been recruited. This formed the nucleus of Company A, “The Jewish Company” of the 149th.

The accompanying letter was written to “The American Israelite” describing the Jewish efforts.

The Regiment mustered in to United States service on Sept 17th and left Syracuse on Sept 23rd.

Shortly after the departure of the regiment, the presentation of a beautiful flag was made to Colonel Barnum, who had remained behind to finish recuperating from wounds suffered earlier in battle. The Reverend Dr. Deutsch presided over the ceremony at city hall on October 17th and spoke of the banner as “a token of the true patriotism and love of county which inspires not only the ladies, but every one of Abraham’s Children.”
The regimental flag of the 149th carries the distinctive dedication "Presented to the 149th N.Y.S.V. by the Jewish Ladies of Syracuse," underscoring the sacrifice made by the entire community in this struggle.

Mrs. Isaac Sonnonberg spoke briefly and presented the flag to Colonel Barnum. The committee which made the flag included Mrs. Abram Levy, Mrs. Edward Mannheimer and Mrs. Abram Stern.

This flag, handpainted in oil on silk, is currently part of a collection of 10 Civil War flags carried by men from Onondaga County in the war. These flags were presented by the returning veterans to the county with the stipulation that future residents preserve and display the flags "forever." They are in danger of deteriorating beyond repair. The flag of the 149th is currently rolled around its staff in a case at the County Clerk's office. Every time the flag is unfurled, it deteriorates further.

The Onondaga County Clerk, the 122nd Regiment NY Volunteers, Inc. and other interested groups are currently engaged in a program to rescue these flags from the ravages of time and tell the story of the 12,265 men from Onondaga who fought to preserve the Union and its ideals of freedom. The project will first preserve the flags, a costly and time-consuming process that will protect the 6 foot square silk flags and hand painting, and then display them in a specialized display in the historic Onondaga County Courthouse. Upon completion, the flags will serve as an educational tool that all citizens can utilize to learn of this contribution from Central New York.

The preservation project has three phases. The first is the actual physical restoration of the flag. Phase Two will be a permanent display of the flags in the Onondaga County Courthouse. The display area will house all ten flags in an ornate hall outside the County Clerk's office. Phase Three will be organizing educational efforts dedicated to telling the story of Onondaga County in the Civil War.

For more information, visit the website at: www.122ndnewyork.com or call Dr. Chris Piering, president of the 122nd Regiment NYS Volunteers, a tax-deductible charity dedicated to living history education and historic preservation at 315-492-3825 or contact the Onondaga County Clerk's office. Speakers are also available to give presentations on the flags.

This article used with permission of the Jewish Observer.

Flag photograghs used with permission of the Onondaga Historical Association.