The flag that launched Company E to fight the rebels

SALISBURY — This 34-star flag was flown at the head of the Company E 28th Connecticut Volunteers, made up mostly of Salisbury men who were leaving to fight in the Civil War in the spring of 1862.  

The flag was given by George Coffing and presented by Maria Birch Coffing, the Belle of Salisbury.  

At the farewell ceremony, held at the Old Parade Ground in Salisbury, a large crowd had gathered to witness the final drill and send off the troops.  Judge Donald Warner had been asked to give the farewell address since he had been most active in creating this company, especially securing the wood choppers, charcoal burners and teamsters from Mount Riga (who were reputed to be prone to violence and poaching of poultry and sheep). 

 With this in mind, he said, “Now to you boys born and reared in the wild free air of the mountain, I know that when you pitch your tent down in Dixie, if you will only use your talents to rumble hen roosts and sheep fields to vary your army rations and the honey stored in the rebel hives will sweeten the army hard tack.  

“If you will fight your country’s enemies as vigorously as you have fought here, you will break the backbone of the Confederacy in short order so I bid you Godspeed, instead of Farewell, for I know you will fare well.”  

This appeal broke the tense feeling of grief and sorrow momentarily and the whole crowd cheered lustily. The mountaineers themselves appreciated the humor of it, roared their approval with shouts of, “Squire, you bet we will!” 

This original flag is on display at the Salisbury Town Hall.

Jean McMillen is the historian for the town of Salisbury.