Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
A Civil War-era Confederate flag or banner associated with Capt. Wiliam Collins of the 15th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, Quitman Rifle Corps. The flag's text reads "The Confederacy Forever From Home / Friends We'll Sever / To Defend Her Rights." Ten gold stars encircle the text.
Capt. William Collins and two fellow Confederates attempted to rob the Calais Bank (Calais, Maine) on July 18, 1864, using St. John, New Brunswick as a base of operations. The robbery failed, in part because Collins' brother Rev. John Collins of York, Maine tipped off authorities. William Collins was convicted, along with his colleagues, and sent to the Maine State Prison at Thomaston.
Collins escaped from prison after only 36 days, and made his way back to New Brunswick where his sister lived. Before fleeing back to Mississippi, he reportedly left behind this flag at his sister's home in St. John.
Rev. John Collins retrieved the flag from St. John and donated it to Maine Historical Society in 1910.
The Collins family immigrated from Ireland to St. John, New Brunswick when William was a child. The family held divided loyalties during the American Civil War.
About This Item
- Title: 'Confederacy Forever' flag, ca. 1863
- Creation Date: circa 1863
- Subject Date: circa 1863
- Location: Mississippi
- Media: Cotton, silk
- Dimensions: 117 cm x 155 cm
- Local Code: 4301*
- Object Type: Physical Object
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Confederate States of America. Army. Mississippi Infantry Regiment, 15th
- Standards (Identifying artifacts)
- United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
People
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
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