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Photo Courtesy of Don Wickman and may not be used without permission 

On October 19, 1864 the Eighth Vermont Infantry suffered over 65% casualties at the battle of Cedar Creek VA. Three color bearers were killed and many others were wounded during the battle. The flag they carried that day, is one of the flags housed in the glass case outside of the Vermont House Chamber. All of these flags are in need of preservation. The 18th Vermont has announced that the proceeds of the 2002 Civil War Expo will be dedicated to the preservation of the 8th Vermont flag. This flag was also featured prominently in Vermont Civil War artist Julian Scott's painting on the Battle of Cedar Creek. This painting is on display in the Vermont State house.

George N. Carpenter wrote the Regimental history of the 8th Vermont Infantry in 1886. The following passages from that book tell of the regiment's efforts at Cedar Creek, and of their love of the flag.

"It was useless to stand against such fearful odds; neither could such frightful butchery be endured longer; and the regiment, which had maintained its organization and gloriously performed its mission in holding the enemy in check, now almost completely surrounded by dense masses of rebel infantry, was for a few moments tossed about as a leaf in a small fitful circle of a whilwind, and then by a mighty gust lifted from the ground and swept from the field, but not without the flags. Moran, Shores, and Holt, three trusty sergeants, and Corporal Worden, with others who had become wedded to the standards, would as soon have thought of leaving their limbs on the field as the flags, now more then sacred. But the flags still floated over our heads, and the star of great brilliancy had been added to the crown of the state which gave us an Ethan Allen and a Stephen Thomas."

"The war and all its precious memories soul-lifting or sad seems now like some strange dream. The mighty host of armed men, whose tramp caused the nations to tremble, has gone from our sight. Their wild battle cry will be heard no more forever; their battle flag will come forth no more to war. Our flag is furled, a precious relic for future generations, and a proud fact to us that only men brave, daring, heroic, and, better still, loyal to the core, ever bore aloft the colors and flag of that grand old regiment, the Eighth Vermont Volunteers."

Please help the 18th Vermont to  preserve this precious relic of  war. We are the future generations.

Faces of the 8th Vermont

Left to Right: 1st LT Nathan C. Cheney, of  Company K. died October 21, 1864 of wounds received at Cedar Creek October 19, 1864. Col. John Bordman Mead wounded at Cedar Creek. Capt. George O. Ford of Company K. wounded in September 1864 at Opequon VA, and October 19 at Cedar Creek. 1st LT Martin L. Bruce Company E. wounded at Cedar Creek.

CDVs courtesy of Russ and Sue Slora