Letter
Handwritten letter from Lt. Henry Beach of the 1st Michigan Cavalry to the Historical Society of Michigan presenting the Regimental flag of the 1st Michigan Cavalry (1948.054.010) to the organization. In the letter, Beach recounts the Civil War battles through with the standard has flown, and expresses its importance to the regiment. The upper left corner of the first page is embossed with the mark of the Congress paper mill.
The letter reads:
Camp 1st Mich Cavly
In the field near Bollman Bridge Va
June 3 1864
To the President Officers & Members of the Historical Society of the State of Michigan
Gentleman Sirs
I have the honor in behalf of the Lt Col Cmdq[?] the 1st Mich Cavly & the Field Staff & Line Officers of the same to forward to you the battered standard of our Regiment. Where, when & how well we have followed & defended it we will let the history of the war tell. It has waved over many a bloody field & been pierced by canister & rifle shot yet we trust we have never forsaken or dishonored it. The glossy folds were first broken by the hissing[?] rifle & the humming canister shots at Hannover Pa, Gettysburg Pa, Hunterstown Pa, Monterey Ma, Smithburg Ma, Hagerstown 1 & 2 Ma, Williamsport Ma, Falling Waters Ma, Newby's Cross roads Va, Culpeper Va, Robinson River Va, Brandy Station Va, & Buckland Mills Va in 1863. At the Battle of the Wilderness Va, Beaver Dam Station Va, Yellow Tavern Va, Meadow Bridge Va, Hanover Farm Va, Haw's Shop Va, Old Church Va & Cold Harbor Va. During the present campaign, three several times have we rallied upon & defended it against triple odds.
Sirs we venerate and almost worship it & confiding it to you can we humbly pray you will preserve it as long as the Peninsular State has a name & a place in the nation & whereever God shareing[?] our lives to return any of us shall behold we will bow to its familiar device while we weep for our brave comrades who have fallen beneath it.
Very Respectfully
Your Off. General
Henry Beach Lt.
Act Ajdt 1 Mich Cavly
