What is the function of a flag? From identifying our fellow countrymen to a rallying call of pride and heritage, our flags serve a critical function in how society commemorates and classifies a certain point in time. Throughout the Civil War, flags were utilized to identify troops and offer a visual marker of who these groups represented. In New Jersey alone, dozens of flags were crafted to capture the full scope of the diverse rank of troops serving within our region. In celebration of these unique pieces of history, the New Jersey State Museum invites you to be a part of tradition as they triumphantly reveal a new piece of history at the Museum’s Annual Patriots Week Civil War Flag Unveiling.

On Tuesday, December 31st, the New Jersey State Museum will reveal its latest flag in its Civil War Flag collection, the storied flag of the Second New Jersey Infantry Regiment. This historic event will take place at 10 am at the New Jersey State Museum campus, located at 205 W State St, Trenton, NJ 08608. There is an assortment free parking available to visitors, including the New Jersey State Museum lot, as well as street parking. The afternoon’s proceedings will be led by flag historian, Dr. David Martin of the New Jersey Civil War Heritage Association and NJSM Curator of Cultural History, Nicholas Ciotola.

For those unfamiliar with this particular piece of New Jersey history, the flag of the Second New Jersey Infantry Regiment represents the bravery and sacrifice of those who served on our state’s behalf. At the 1862 Battle of Gaines’ Mill, Corporal James Marshall draped this flag around his body to protect it from Confederate forces, whose numerically-superior force was ever-encroaching to surround him and his men. Despite his efforts, the Confederates captured the flag and displayed it in Richmond as a war relic. Following the war, New Jersey Adjutant General William S. Stryker learned of the flag and facilitated its eventual return to the state.

This opportunity is of significant interest to Civil War enthusiasts, as New Jersey offers the general public unparalleled access to these remarkable historic resources. While most states continue to keep their state’s Civil War flags behind closed doors, the State of New Jersey continues to set a shining example and allows its residents to explore and access this pivotal piece of New Jersey’s collective memory. The Garden State played an important piece in the victory of the Civil War, and this annual celebration offers New Jerseyans a wonderful way to honor those who valiantly served until the battles were won.

For more details on this, as well as other exciting upcoming events at the New Jersey State Museum, please take a moment to visit their website, available here: NJSM – Home. You can also keep up with the exciting happenings of the NJSM on their social media, including Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube. Any questions or concerns prior to the event may be directed to NJSM staff at (609) 292-6464 for further assistance. This beloved annual tradition remains a banner moment in any history buff’s calendar, so be certain to attend to witness this latest piece of New Jersey history unfold.

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