by Tom Emery
After successfully spearheading the restoration of a Civil War flag last year, members of a Civil War group in Macoupin County are embarking on another project to refurbish a different flag.
The latest project is for the regimental colors of the 122nd Illinois Infantry, which was comprised mostly of men from Macoupin and surrounding counties. The effort to restore the colors is one of a handful statewide to preserve and protect the flags of Illinois Civil War regiments, which are now 150 years old.
A previous, similar project restored the national colors of the 122nd, which is now on public display in the Macoupin County courthouse in Carlinville. Both projects are through the efforts of members of the Macoupin County Civil War Round Table.
The latest effort for the 122nd will require about $13,000, which includes professional restoration costs, framing to house the flag for display upon completion, and freight.
“We’ve made some good progress toward that goal,” said Carlinville businessman and Civil War enthusiast Norman Crays. “I’m told we’ve collected over $2,600, not including our pledges.”
Crays, along with friend and business partner Alan Ashby, re-enactor Steve Hicks of Roodhouse, and bookstore owner John Alexander of Virden, have been among the most active proponents of the restoration of the 122nd’s flags.
For decades, Civil War flags from Illinois were displayed in the Hall of Flags in the Howlett Building on the capitol complex in Springfield. However, the flags, many deteriorating due to age, were removed beginning in 2003 and are now housed out of public view in controlled storage at the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield. The museum has encouraged private groups to coordinate fund-raising efforts to pay for professional restoration of individual flags.
The Macoupin County group has been one of the most aggressive in the state in flag restoration. Efforts in McHenry County and Springfield have restored the flags of the 95th and 114th Illinois, respectively. Other efforts are underway to restore the flags of 100th Illinois in Joliet and the 53rd Illinois in LaSalle County.
Mustered into service on Sept.4, 1862, the 122nd fought with distinction at Parkers Cross Roads, Tenn. on Dec. 31, 1862, handing a rare defeat to notorious Confederate raider Nathan Bedford Forrest. The 122nd also was in the land assault on Mobile Bay late in the war. The colonel of the 122nd was John Rinaker, a Carlinville attorney and politician.
Crays noted that many of the men in the 122nd have descendants in the area. “There are a lot of residents around here whose ancestors served in that regiment,” he said.
The Macoupin County group plans to raffle a collectible reproduction firearm as part of their efforts on the 122nd Illinois flag. Anyone wanting more information on the raffle or donations may call 217-854-6706. To make a donation to the 122nd effort, make check or money order payable to “Illinois National Guard” with “122nd Illinois Flag” in the memo and mail to Illinois State Military Museum, 1301 N. McArthur Blvd., Springfield, IL 62702.
Tom Emery may be reached at 217-710-8392 or ilcivilwar@yahoo.com.