Battle Flags Program Survives

Jeff Morgan, spokesman for the State Historical Society, says a state effort to save tattered battle flags carried home by Iowans from the Civil War and other conflicts still has enough cash to keep going.

In January, Gov. Chet Culver’s budget proposal did not include funding for the program. But when the dust settled and the legislative session ended last month, Morgan said $188,000  remains in place to cover battle flag costs during the next budget year.

That’s enough to pay for two full-time employees and for supplies, he said.

Most of the flags are from the Civil War, a conflict where 76,000 Iowans fought and more than 13,000 died. Iowans fought in pivotal battles, including Shiloh and Vicksburg.

For  soldiers, the regimental flags served as a beacon in the chaos of the battlefield. Sight of the flag kept them aware of their unit’s position and its movements. And  troops felt a keen emotional connection to the colors – many sewn by folks back home.

One of the most famous flags in the collection was carried by the 2nd Iowa Regiment. (Shown above) I wrote a story on the battle flag effort back in May of 2001 and described that flag’s historic role in a famous battle involving Iowa troops:

Cpl. Voltaire P. Twombley was not the first man to hoist the Second Iowa Regiment’s silken battle colors on Feb. 15, 1862 – the day plowboys, shopkeepers and assorted volunteers stormed Fort Donelson, Tenn.

First to clutch the standard was Sgt. Harry Doolittle of Davenport, who was hit three times during a withering exchange of fire. Cpl. Solomon Garfield Page, also of Davenport, was killed with the colors in his hands. Cpl. James Churchill of Clinton was then wounded as he hauled the banner forward to within just yards of the entrenched Confederate defenses.

Twombley, from Keosauqua, snatched up the flag, only to be smacked down by a stray shot. But he scrambled to his feet and pushed through the rebel line. The key outpost fell into union hands and Twombley won the Civil War equivalent of the Medal of Honor.

“The unfaltering onset of those gallant men is written in the sleepless memory of a million freemen,” said Iowa House Speaker Rush Clark as he received the flag in Des Moines weeks later.

Now that’s a House speaker with flair.  

Stabilizing the flags for storage and display is a painstaking process that’s been going on for the better part of this decade. There are 295 battle flags in the state collection, and one flag can take several weeks of work.

Clearly, they’re worth preserving as a tangible relic and reminder of Iowans’ remarkable sacrifice in America’s bloodiest war. Word that the program will continue is good news this Memorial Day.

Thursday Column — Rethink the Bonds

State lawmakers can hand out power, but not the instincts to use it wisely.

An example: Last month, legislators gave local governments in disaster areas the power to issue bonds without asking voters’ permission. This week, the Linn County Board of Supervisors left the impression it lacks the instincts to use this power wisely.

The board proposes floating $9.5 million in bonds to expand and remodel the county’s Administrative Office Building. That’s over and above the $2.2 million in flood damage the Federal Emergency Management Agency will pay to fix it.

The $9.5 million will cover, among other things, the addition of a new top floor. This lofty perch will house offices, including new digs for each supervisor. Supervisor Brent Oleson is opposed, and Supervisor Ben Rogers says he won’t support bonds without a public vote. Supervisors Lu Barron, Jim Houser and Linda Langston appear open to this scheme.

So how about public opinion? I polled my blog readers.

“I’ve looked at the poll several times and still don’t see the HELL-no-and-these-clowns-should-be-voted-out-asap button,” Darrell wrote.

This board’s “What Is It Thinking?” file is getting thick.

Lawmakers passed bonding authority during the sleep-deprivation fest that ended the 2009 session. But I don’t think even groggy, squinting legislators saw this as a blank check.

It’s intended to help towns repair or replace damaged facilities. Cedar Rapids is a good example, with dozens of flooded buildings in limbo. It makes little sense to require a 60 percent vote every time officials need repair bucks.

City leaders promise restraint. But mayoral candidate Ron Corbett argues they want to erect a new city “Taj Mahal” with voterless bonds. And thanks to the county, Corbett has exhibit A for his case. City leaders must be so pleased with their county cousins.

Just weeks ago, supervisors were getting kudos for frugally deciding to return to their old digs.

Now, they need a $9.5 million credit card to redecorate. And Oleson keeps pointing out that it would cost just $3 million to buy the old Steve & Barry’s building where county government is temporarily housed. I smell political capital and public good will burning.

Stopping this madness would mean collecting 22,000-plus signatures for a reverse referendum.

And if supervisors think that can’t be done, they may make another miscalculation.

Or, like winter’s salary debacle, supervisors can stop, think and back up the train. If this is a great idea, put it to a public vote. My instincts tell me that’s what will happen in the end.