Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 7/5/2023
Item Status: New
From: Felisha Anderson, Director of Archives and History
Submitted by: Felisha Anderson, Director of Archives and History
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ITEM TITLE
Title
Renewal of Loan Agreement with the Illinois State Military Museum, Department of Military Affairs for the Display of Fort Blakeley Civil War Garrison Flag at Central Annex in Robertsdale
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Authorize the renewal of the Loan Agreement with Illinois State Military Museum, Department of Military Affairs, for the display of Fort Blakeley Civil War Garrison Flag at Central Annex in Robertsdale, Alabama, with a loan period of July 16, 2023, to July 15, 2026.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: In 2008, the Illinois State Military Museum, Department of Military Affairs, agreed to loan the Baldwin County Department of Archives and History the Fort Blakeley Civil War Garrison Flag for display at the Baldwin County Annex building in Robertsdale, Alabama under a long-term loan agreement. The flag is a remarkable part of Baldwin County’s heritage and should continue to be displayed within its county of origin.
During the Battle of Fort Blakeley, thirteen Confederate battle flags, including at least one Garrison flag were captured during the campaign. Of that number, ten (10) were captured directly from their bearers under combat conditions and eight (8) individuals were awarded Congressional Medals of Honor associated with their captures. Of all the Confederate battle flags carried during the campaign, most were either Second National flags or Twelve-star St. Andrews Cross flags that were of Mobile manufacture. However, four Texas regiments in Ector’s Brigade carried flags patterned after the standardized thirteen-star flags carried in the Army of Northern Virginia. As a matter of fact, these were the only Army of Northern Virginia flags carried in the entire Army of Tennessee. Colonel Young of the 9th Texas Infantry Regiment had the flags made in Richmond in 1864 for the brigade. Two of the four (4) flags were captured during the night attack at Spanish Fort on April 8, 1865. Surprisingly, a flag captured at Redoubt 4 was a small First National Flag and was believed to have been carried by the artillery battery there.
The State of Illinois returned the Fort Blakeley Civil War Garrison flag to the State of Alabama, and it has been beautifully preserved and is on display in Robertsdale, Alabama.
Previous Commission action/date: May 19, 2020 - BCC Regular Meeting - Authorized the renewal of the outstanding loan agreement with the Department of Military Affairs, Illinois State Military Museum, for the Civil War Fort Blakeley Garrison Flag on display at the Central Annex in Robertsdale, with a loan period of July 15, 2020, to July 15, 2023, and authorized the Chairman to sign all loan documents associated with the loan agreement.
July 18, 2017 - BCC Regular Meeting - Authorized the renewal of the outstanding loan agreement with the Department of Military Affairs, Illinois State Military Museum for the Civil War Fort Blakeley Garrison Flag on display at the Central Annex in Robertsdale, with a loan period of July 15, 2017, to July 15, 2020, and authorized the Chairman to sign all loan documents associated with the loan agreement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: N/A
Budget line item(s) to be used: N/A
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
N/A
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Administration have Chairman sign the agreement and forward the original documents to Felisha Anderson.
Felisha Anderson, will ensure documents are delivered to the Illinois State Military Museum.
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): N/A
Additional instructions/notes: Administration - upload agreement to Contracts