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The Columbia County Historical Society recently “welcomed back” a 34-star American flag that flew on the Steamship Oregon. The garrison size flag is a beautiful object that impressively captures Columbia County’s participation in the Civil War. The flag will be the centerpiece of the Society’s 2012 exhibition on Columbia County and the Civil War. The flag recently underwent extensive conservation at Spicer Art Conservation in Delmar, NY.
The Oregon has strong ties to Columbia County and many residents documented their travels on her. Beginning in 1845, the Oregon made regular trips on the Hudson River between New York and Albany and contributed to New York’s effort in the Civil War. On May 5, 1862, The Hudson Daily Star reported that “the proprietors of the steamers Oregon and Connecticut, both tendered their boats free of charge to take the sick and wounded to Troy.” It is probable that this flag was flying on the Oregon on the evening of September 5, 1862 as the steamer left Hudson bound for New York City carrying the 128th Regiment Infantry of New York Volunteers from Columbia and Dutchess Counties. Lawrence Van Alstyne (1839-1923) an enlisted man from this regiment, was onboard and began an entry “in my everlasting letter, as I have come to call my diary:” “6pm on board the steamship Oregon, bound for New York City.” Gideon Lathrop (1805-1877) of nearby Stockport, N.Y. noted the same event in his diary: “128 Regt. Col. Cowles left for N.Y. by the Steamer Oregon.” In May 1863, it was reported in the local papers that “The remains of Col. Cowles arrived in this city per steamer Oregon yesterday morning…” The Oregon made many trips until October 22, 1863, when she collided with the steamer City of Boston, an accident reported in detail the next day in the New York Times.
The Society plans two exhibitions marking the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. The first, Home and Away: Columbia County during the Civil War, opens May 21st at the James Vanderpoel House of History in Kinderhook. The images in this story are courtesy of Spicer Art Conservation |
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The flag was hand-stitched by Sarah (1841-1925) and Clara Clark (1842-1934) of Hudson, New York. Their father, William H. Clark (c.1812-1884), was a partner in Haviland, Clark and Company of Hudson, the owners of the Oregon. Inscribed in ink on the flag’s hoist is “W.H. Clark.” The 34-star flag became the official United States flag on July 4, 1861 and remained so for only two years. Abraham Lincoln was the only President to serve under this flag. This short period of use makes the flag quite rare and provides certain association with the Oregon’s activities during the Civil War.
After flying on the Oregon and perhaps suffering a collision, the 150 year old flag required considerable conservation. A $5,000 grant from Greater Hudson Heritage Network covered most of the cost. The Conservation Treatment Grant Program, administered by the Greater Hudson Heritage Network in association with the Museum Program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), provides support for treatment procedures to aid in stabilizing and preserving objects in collections of museums, and historical and cultural organizations in New York State. The grant to CCHS was one of 26 grants awarded—only 50% of those who applied to this competitive program were funded. The Society raised the remainder through a special “adopt-an-object” program that allows individuals to buy “shares” in caring for an object.