I am trying to track down a specific flag for the 30th Mass Infantry, and knowing that several folks on here have been cataloging flags for years I am hoping someone may have stumbled across it. Like almost every unit in the war, the 30th Mass. was issued several flags during its term of service. The particular one that I am trying to find would be the first National color that was issued to the unit, and which they specifically called the "Eastern Bay State Regiment" flag. I will list out the details I do have on this flag in hopes that someone can add to it. All of the information that I am using comes from the book "Passages from the life of Henry Warren Howe, consisting of diary letters written during the civil war 1861-1865. A condensed history of the 30th Massachusetts Regiment and its flags..." A mouthful of a title I know, but it does contain a good deal of information. I have had a hard copy for years, but you can read it yourself online at
http://books.google.com/books?id=KIYvAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=passages+of+the+life+of+henry+warren+howe&cd=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Now for the information.

Eastern Bay State Regiment flag (EBSR) was presented to the 30th on January 2nd 1862 at Boston Common by Major Gen. Benjamin F. Butler

These colors were displayed in the battles of:
Investment of Vicksburg
Baton Rouge
Plain's Store
Port Hudson
Cox's Plantation

After newer colors were issued the EBSR flag was always carried with the regiment (not generally as colors in battle) but kept covered much of the time, and pulled out for special occasions (such as the Grand Review).

After the unit was mustered out in 1866 it presented the flag back to Gen. Butler, and when he passed away it was given to the regimental association who then placed it in the custody of the City of Lowell Mass. where it was kept at Memorial Hall.

The total number of flags issued to the 30th Mass. is listed as 6 (4 National and 2 State), of which 3 National and 1 State were in the care of the Commonwealth of Mass. as of 1866 (and if I remember correctly the last time I wrote to the curators in Mass. this should be the same number they still have today).

QUESTION

The last known place where the flag was kept was in the City of Lowell Mass. I have written to the city to see if they have any records of the flag or who it reverted to or is caring for it today. As of now I have heard nothing back one way or another, My question is has anyone come across this flag (EBSR) in all of their travels?

Also, in all of his accounts of these flags, Howe mentions very little about the State colors and implies that they were not carried much/at all. He also dropped a hint that one of the State colors was lost (though he doesn't say if/what battle they were lost in. Has anyone come across any information about the missing State color?

Thank you in advance for anyone that might have any information, and if none has been found I hope some of these details may add to the list of known flags in some of your databases.

Josh Bucchioni