The Belfast Civil War Flag Quilt

By Carla Olson Gade

In June of 1864, twenty three unmarried members of the Ladies Aid Society of the First Church of Belfast, Maine began work on a flag quilt to honor the Maine soldiers who fought for Union during the Civil War. Larger than a standard cot-sized quilt issued by the Sanitary Commission, this 62" x 92" inspirational quilt was stitched with the thought of inspiring hope and displaying appreciation, especially for the sick and wounded soldiers convalescing at the Armory Square Hospital in Washington, D.C.
 
The Ladies Aid Society of Belfast was formed in 1861 after Fort Sumter fell to Confederate troops and patriotic fervor swept through the area. While men enlisted and fought such battles as Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Spotsylvania Courthouse, Cold Harbor the society ladies sewed blue denim pants, flannel shirts, and colored handkerchiefs for their local soldiers. Stitching began on their new project quilt on June 17 and was completed by July 7th. 

The signature style quilt had symbolic messages, puns, and autographs penned in ink on many of the pieces of fabric. Of the 34 stars displayed on the blue canton, the large white star in its center contains the Lord's Prayer and each of the five points contains a biblical verse drawn from either the old or new testaments. The smaller stars surrounding it represent a battle or campaign in which Belfast soldiers took part. 
  

Here is a sampling of some of the sayings penned on the quilt:

“Here’s success to the boys, whoever they are
That have shouldered their muskets and gone to war
Victorious They’ll be, defeated they can’t
While they are led into battle by U.S. Grant”
By Augusta Quimby

“Good Maine ham well cured and smoked in many battles Gen Burnham”

“A good Union sportsman Gen Hunter”

"The noisy Bird, the Northern Parrott"

“Our native berry Gen H.G. Berry”

“If the rebs won’t pay, We will charge em”

"Colors That Never Run, Red White and Blue"

"What Soldiers Cannot Be Surprised? Those on Guard." 

"Hurrah for the boys of the Pine Tree State"

"The boys of our army, The flag of our country,
The soldiers of Freedom, and the Red White and Blue
On land and on sea, be they ever victorious
And each to the other forever prove true."

"Freemen to arms! Your country's cause in this dark hour demands your aid, God's blessing on the hand that draws in her defence a patriots blade."

By Marianne Furber

One of lady quilters, Augusta Quimby, wrote in her 1917 Recollections of the Civil War "that the quilt was finished during the afternoon, and was displayed in the dining room and was much admired.” Augusta remembered that “A picnic supper was served, to which the young men were invited.” The following week the Belfast Civil War Soldier's Quilt was sent to Ward 26 of the Armory Square Hospital in Washington, D.C. 
 

"When thoughts of comforts left behind
Make present trials stronger
Think of the good time coming boys
And wait a little longer."

The quilt was received on August 12th and was acknowledged with appreciation on behalf of the hospital by a Miss McClellan who wrote:

“The quilt has been exhibited to each one in the ward, and many have been the expressions of surprise and admiration which it has called forth, as it has been spread before the eyes of those who are suffering from this devotion to the flag which it represents.” 

Who knows how many soldiers had been encouraged by the Belfast flag quilt at the Armory Square Hospital by the time the war concluded. But as the war ended, the hospital closed and came into the possession of chief surgeon Dr. D. Willard Bliss. In 187  his daughter married a man who was appointed Special Indian Agent in the Dakota and Montana territories. It remained in the family until in a remarkable circumstance of fate, or providence, it was found amongst an estate in 2011.

"Our Star Spangled Banner. Long May It Wave"

The quilt was salvaged and upon inspection, the date and location of its makers and origin was discovered on the top stripes: U. S. G. Society, Belfast, Maine, June 17, 1864. Nearly 150 ears after it had left on its mission, the quilt was returned to Maine in care of the Belfast Historical Society. Of the 250,000 quilts stitched for the Union army during the Civil War, only about twenty still exist.

"Our Country and Liberty! God for the right."

GIVEAWAY! In honor of the liberty that inspired the ladies who created this beautiful flag quilt ~ I'm giving away a copy of my quilt themed novel, set in the years leading up to the American Revolution. One commenter will win Pattern for Romance!!


What is one way YOU show your patriotism?
 

Available Here

Pattern for Romance (Abingdon) 

Honour Metcalf's quilting needlework is admired by a wealthy customer of the Boston Mantua-maker for whom she works. In need of increasing her earnings, she agrees to create an elaborate white work bridal quilt for the dowager's niece. A beautiful design emerges as she carefully stitches the intricate patterns and she begins to dream of fashioning a wedding quilt of her own. When Honour is falsely accused of thievery and finds herself in a perilous position, merchant tailor Joshua Sutton comes to her aid. As he risks his relationships, reputation, and livelihood to prove her innocence, the two discover a grander plan.

New Englander Carla Olson Gade writes from her home amidst the rustic landscapes of Maine. With seven books in print, she enjoys bringing her tales to life with historically authentic settings and characters. An avid reader, amateur genealogist, photographer, and house plan hobbyist, Carla's great love (next to her family) is historical research. Though you might find her tromping around an abandoned homestead, an old fort, or interviewing a docent at an historical museum, it's easier to connect with her on her blog, Adventures of the Heart.

Civil War Women: Fundraisers and Fairs

A footnote from history by Stephanie Grace Whitson, author of Daughter of the Regiment.

When President Lincoln called for the formation of the United States Sanitary Commission, did he realize what would be required of the men and women charged with collecting and transporting goods to men in the field? Since both the North and the South seemed to think things would be settled quickly, it's safe to say he did not. 

By 1863, women had collected and distributed tens of thousands of quilts and comforters for the soldiers. They had wound miles of bandages and scraped barrels of lint. And still ... the need grew.

In Chicago, Mary Livermore and Jane Hoge, leaders of the Northwest Branch of the Sanitary Commission, came up with the idea of sponsoring a fair to raise money in support of "the cause." To drum up support for the idea, they sent letters to towns throughout the Midwest and and visited local aid societies, asking women to make or donate items to be sold at the Sanitary Fair. The fall, 1863 event raised $100,000.

The outstanding (and perhaps unexpected) success of the first Sanitary Fair spawned more events. In St. Louis, the Western Sanitary Commission sponsored the 1864 Mississippi Valley Fair and raised more than $550,000. Visitors could browse booths displaying the latest in plows, sewing machines, and all other manner of manufactured goods. 

The daily newspaper issued for the St. Louis event reported that "Grover and Baker donated three fine machines ... Wheeler and Wilson also three.Our attention was particularly drawn to one of Wilcox and Gibbs ... It is almost entirely noiseless. Singer donated two fine machines of his manufacture. Aiken's knitting machine next claimed our attention. By this a pair of socks can be knit in fifteen minutes!" How many women do you suppose wanted one of those knitting machines?

After browsing, fair attendees could have lunch at a cafe (courtesy of the ladies who baked goods and served them), participate in contests, and even go fishing!

Sanitary fairs drew large crowds, not only because visitors supported the Union army, but also because they brought together a variety of goods for sale in an era when department stores were uncommon. In most towns, stores carried raw materials (bolts of fabric) in lieu of finished products like aprons or ready-to-wear children's clothing. Imagine the fun of spending money on things a woman usually had to make ... and having the excuse that it was "for a good cause."

The quilt at left was displayed in the Bed Linen & Quilt Department (pictured above) at the St. Louis event in 1864. A Miss Lizzie Hausler won the quilt, which was valued at $125.  

The French shelf clock sitting in front of the quilt was donated by the state of New York, which had held it's own very successful Sanitary Far earlier in 1864. 

The "grandmother's flower garden" quilt at right was also raffled off at the St. Louis Fair. It bears various dignitary's signatures. General Grant's signature appears on the central hexagon. A Nebraska family won the quilt, and it now resides in the collection of the Nebraska State Museum in Lincoln.

Fundraising events are common in 2015. Our local Christian school sponsors an "auction" of donated items every year. Raffle quilts are often produced to raise funds in support of a variety of causes. 

Have you ever made an item to be donated to a fundraiser? If so, you are one of a long line of generous women. 

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Stephanie Grace Whitson's interest in the Civil War inspired her novel Daughter of the Regiment, set in Missouri during the Civil War. This fall, a novella inspired by the service of Illinois women during the war will appear in A Basket Brigade Christmas. 

To learn more about Stephanie's books, visit www.stephaniewhitson.com. 

Stephanie loves to chat with her readers. Join the conversation at www.Facebook.com/stephaniegracewhitson-official.