The tattered preservation of the original National Colors of the 122nd New York. In all, eleven flags housed at the Onondaga County Courthouse were sent out for preservation. Click on image for larger view.
Dan Houde of the 149th New York, left, with Dave Grieves behind the restored National Colors of the 149th New York. Click on image for larger view.
	The color lance of the 149th New York, with the field repair done by color sergeant William Lilly at Gettysburg, PA. Click on image for larger view.
The 122nd New York and 149th New York with Congressman James Walsh and county dignitaries at the ceremony, April 23rd, 2005. Click image for larger view.

Civil War Contributions of Syracuse's Jewish Community

An article written by Chris Piering that was originally published in the May 2001 edition of the Jewish Observer. The article details the contributions of members of the Jewish Community of the city of Syracuse, New York during the Civil War.

Matilda Joslyn Gage, of Fayetteville, dedicated the National colors of the 122nd New York on August 25, 1862. The story, and Mrs Gage's dedication speech, is recounted in A Detailed History of the Regiment compiled by Kathy Crowell from the Veteran's Column (1888 - 1893) of Fayetteville's "Weekly Recorder" newspaper.

On Monday, February 5th, 2001, a check for $6000 was presented to the county on behalf of the 122nd NY and the CNY Community Foundation (CNYCF). Pictured left to right are William Meyer, Onondaga County Legislator; Kim Scott, CNY Community Foundation; Peggy Ogden, CNYCF; Joyce Ryan, Onon County Clerk's Office; Dr. Chris Piering, 122nd NY; Brian Moore, CNYCF.

	This is the display case in which the flags have been stored since 1906. The flags are furled and wrapped in cord.
	The flag comes out of the case to begin it's journey to the conservator.
	On the table is the brigade flag of the 3rd brigade, HQ Geary's Division, 12/20th corps. This is the brigade in which the 149th New York fought.
	The flag after being unfurled.

by Jean Ryan (reprinted from Eagle Newspapers)

Ten flags, once carried into battle by local regiments during the Civil War, have been stored in the office of the Onondaga County Clerk in an oak wall case over the Naturalization desk since the court house was built in 1906. Tightly furled, and brittle with age, it has been impossible to view them.

But now the legislature, American Legion and the Onondaga County Civil War Round Table have launched a drive to restore the flags and display them in their full glory.
Onondaga County American Legion Commander Ed Whitney and Andy Messner from Post 41 in Liverpool pledged $4,000 to kick off the restoration effort.

Legislators Robert D. Warner, R-Van Buren and William H. Meyer, R-Cicero led the effort to establish a fund for the restoration project. Now the county clerk, Ann Ciarpelli is authorized to accept funds from groups wishing to donate to the project.
"As veterans, we believe in the flag," said Whitney. "We believe in defending the flag."

Dorothy DeAngelo from the Civil War Round Table said her group will fund restoration of the brigade headquarters flag from the Third Brigade, Second Division, 20th Army Corps, of which the 4th Onondaga Regiment, the 149th New York State Volunteers, was a part. The flag is triangular and believed to be in relatively good condition, she said.

One of the flags, the first national colors of the 122nd Regiment was carried at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Marye's Heights, Salem Church, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station and Mine run. Company C of this infantry regiment was recruited in the Fayetteville area, according to information from the Onondaga County Historical Society. It was first presented to Col. Silas Titus at Beard's Hall, Fayetteville on Aug. 25, 1862 by Mrs. M. E. Gage on behalf of the ladies of Fayetteville.

Other flags saw action in Chancellorsville, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. The first national colors of the 149th Regiment was pierced by 88 Confederate bullets on the third day of fighting on Culp's Hill at the Battle of Gettysburg.

The year is 1861, the United States is faced with a crisis of a proportion so great that the very existence of the country is in peril. President Abraham Lincoln issues a call for 75,000 volunteers to put down the rebellion of southern states, ensuring the survival of the fledgling country.

Over the next four years, 620,000 Americans, more than in all this country's other wars combined, would sacrifice their lives for ideals they deemed more important than themselves. Many of them were from the thriving city of Syracuse and its surrounding farms and villages.

In 1860, the population of Onondaga County was 63,231 people. Nearly one fifth of the population, 12,265 sons and fathers of Onondaga County left their homes to serve their country. Hundreds never returned.

Onondaga County played an important role in the Civil War, and has a rich heritage to pass to succeeding generations of Syracusans.

The year is now 2001. This heritage is imperiled by the ravages of time.

In 1865, the returning regiments brought home their tales of glory and suffering;
and their battle worn flags.

National Colors - the Stars and Stripes, and Regimental Standards-rich hand painted flags of silk or wool that brave men fought under, too often giving the final sacrifice in their defense.

Ten of these flags are currently stored in the courthouse, in the care of the county clerk, where they have been since 1906. These ten banners, battle scarred and brittle have withstood shot and shell, but they can no longer withstand the forces of nature. The time is now for the current residents of Onondaga to honor the brave men who restored union and freed a race from bondage.

In 1901, Captain George Collins of CO I, 149th N.Y. Vol. wrote, "To the present generation this flag means little, but to me it is almost as dear as my life. Often I go to the County Clerk's Office and look at it lovingly, and as I do the tears invariably creep into my eyes".

We have a unique opportunity to band together to honor of the veterans and sacrifices of 1861-1865. Ann Ciarpelli, the Onondaga County Clerk, the Onondaga Historical Association, and the 122nd Regiment New York State Volunteers, Inc. are asking you to rally around these flags and make a donation.

Together we can meet this challenge and preserve this important part of our heritage for future generations, just as the veterans preserved the Union for us.

They preserved the Union for us, now let us preserve their flags.

Donations may be sent to the County Clerk at 401 Montgomery St, Syracuse, NY, 13202, or to 122nd Regiment New York Volunteers, Inc c/o Dr Christopher M. Piering 4871 Citadel Cove, Syracuse, NY 13215.

Each of the flags we seek to preserve has it's own unique and compelling history.

• Eight men won the Congressional Medal of Honor serving under them.
• Four hundred fifty nine men gave their lives in their service.
• Hundreds more carried wounds home to Syracuse.

Among the flags are;
The National Colors of the 149th and the Regimental banner of the 149th NY Volunteers. These flags were carried in many major battles including on Culp's Hill at Gettysburg. Here, the flag was pierced by at least 88 rebel bullets, and the staff was shattered. Sergeant William Lilly, braving enemy fire climbed over the breastworks and mended the flag with materials at hand. This heroic deed is depicted on the west face of the Soldier's and Sailor's Monument at Clinton Square. This flag, with the field repair still in place is to be the first preserved. One hundred ninety one men from Onondaga County made the ultimate sacrifice under these flags.

The Regimental and National Flags of the 122nd NY Volunteers. The third regiment recruited solely from Onondaga County, the 122nd served in the Army of the Potomac and most major battles in the east through to the surrender at Appomattox. The National flag was presented by the "Ladies of Fayetteville" and was embroidered with their dedication. The 122nd was part of the final push at Petersburg that led to the surrender of General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. One hundred and seventy four men from Central New York gave their lives for their country from the "Third Onondagas".

The National and Regimental Colors of the 185th NY Volunteers flew with pride over the regiment throughout the final campaign of the war. Miss Kate Crouse, daughter of John Crouse, a prominent Syracusan for whom Crouse College was named, presented the National Colors. The Regimental Banner is a unique work, with "God and the Right" painted under the National Coat of Arms.

Proper preservation of the flags is painstaking and expensive, with total costs estimated at over one hundred thousand dollars. To begin the process, the Onondaga County Legislature has allocated thirty five thousand dollars. The American Legion has donated four thousand dollars.

These and your donations will move us closer to realizing the goal of properly restoring and displaying the flags. All donations, large and small are appreciated and move us closer to our goals of preserving the flags and history of Onondaga County.