How Is a Flag Stabilized?
Two of the flags stabilized so far are shown here to illustrate the types of treatment
that will be needed for most of the collection. Both flags were treated by Fonda Thomsen
of Textile Preservation Associates, Sharpsburg, Maryland.
The "Ocean Pond" Flag
The "Ocean Pond" flag is believed to have belonged to the 6th Florida
Battalion, which was later redesignated the 9th Regiment. The 6th Florida Battalion fought
in the Battle of Olustee (Ocean Pond) on February 20, 1864. The "Ocean Pond"
flag is one of several sent to the Governor of Florida for safe-keeping during the last
year of War.
The 9th Florida Regiment was heavily engaged at the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia, on
June 3, 1864. A veteran of the unit later wrote that bullets riddled the flag and wood
flagstaff during the battle. This flag has several splinters imbedded in its fabric.
Except for battle and insect damage and a large area of missing fabric on the lower left
arm of the cross, the flag was intact and in relatively good condition. It is constructed
of wool bunting with cotton used for the stars. The cotton stars had darkened with age,
and the stenciled letters had bled slightly at some earlier point in time. The goals of
the treatment were to provide MI support for the flag and to neutralize the cotton fabric
so that the stars would not continue to darken.
Stabilization of the "Ocean Pond" flag involved the following steps:
1. The cotton stars were deacidified by a series of soaks in deionized water. (The entire
flag could not be soaked because of the need to preserve the wood splinters.)
2. The flag was hand-sewn to a single layer of polyester Stabiltex fabric for support.
3. The flag was attached to a buffered acid-free, cloth-covered padded panel. The panel
provides a safe and protective support for the flag while on exhibit and in storage.
"Ocean Pond" Flag before treatment.
"Ocean Pond" Flag after treatment.
Second Florida Regiment Flag before treatment.
Second Florida Regiment Flag after treatment.
Second Florida Regiment Battle Flag
This flag was the last of a series of battle flags carried by the 2nd Florida
Regiment. The capture number of "414" (upper left) indicates that it was
probably surrendered at Appomattox. It was one of eight Florida battle flags returned to
the state by the U.S. War Department in 1905.
Battle honors printed on the flag include:
WILLIAMSBURG
DEEP RUN
SEVEN FINES
BRANDY STATION
ELLISON'S MILLS
BRISTOE STATION
FRASIER'S FARM
WILDERNESS
SHARPSBURG
COLD HARBOR
GETTYSBURG
WELDON R.R. (21 AUG.'64)
CHANCELLORSVILLE HATCHER'S RUN
The flag is constructed of wool bunting with cotton stars and fimbriation (edging around
the cross). The unit designation and battle honors are stenciled in ink onto strips of
cotton fabric. The missing areas in the upper and lower fly corners appear to be from
souvenir taking. The fabric also has some insect damage.
Preservation of the 2nd Florida flag was complicated by an earlier treatment, in which the
flag's fabric had been impregnated with a synthetic resin called polyvinyl alcohol (PVAL)
and adhered to a polyester fabric backing. This resin needed to be removed because it has
discolored with aging and may damage the flag over time. In addition, it gave the flag an
unnatural "plastic appearance.
Stabilization of the 2nd Florida flag involved the following steps.
1. The entire flag was put through a series of soaks in a mixture of deionized water and a
solvent to remove the polyvinyl alcohol resin. After soaking, the flag was blotted,
blocked to its original shape, and allowed to air dry.
2. The damaged areas were backed with polyester Stabiltex fabric for support. Areas of
fabric that would not lie flat were also padded for support.
3. The flag was attached to a buffered acid-free, cloth-covered padded panel. The panel
provides a safe and protective support for the flag while on exhibit and in storage.
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