8TH VIRGINIA FLAG

“Stars and Bars”

 The 8th Virginia Volunteer Infantry (reenactment unit) was formed about 1969 and has been enjoying participation in the Waterford Fair for possibly 30 years.  Election of our officers has been held annually at this historic site.  In the Waterford Union Cemetery are buried three members of the Eighth Virginia Infantry:  Pvt. Daniel G. Corbin, Pvt. James E. Kidwell, and Pvt. James W. Russell.

 In 1993 the 8th Virginia Infantry was greatly surprised to learn of a "Stars and Bars" flag that purportedly belonged to Veterans of the original Eighth.   During our annual meeting, this flag was presented to the Captain of the 8^th Virginia by Mr. George Bentley, to be placed in the care of the regiment.  He stated that he felt "there was no more appropriate place than for the 8^th to have it."

 Over the years, the flag has been well cared for and protected, being rolled in some non-acidic tissue.   It was recently unrolled and mounted professionally on muslin and covered so that it could be preserved and viewed.  The same year it was shown at the Waterford Fair at the encampment of the 8^th Virginia.  During the years, information had faded from our memories as to exactly how Mr. Bentley actually came into possession of the flag. Questions went out to those in the regiment that had been there at that meeting and no one could remember the exact detail regarding the presentation.   Some seem to remember that a "Time Capsule" was mentioned, but further inquiry with various residence of Waterford and with the Waterford Foundation have not verified that a “Time Capsule” ever existed.

The exact age of the flag is not known.  The bars of the flag (red and white) were machine stitched and the stars were hand cut and hand-stitched.  There appears to be areas on the flag where repairs were made by machine.  According to the Curator of Flags for the “Museum of the Confederacy” in Richmond, Virginia show the fabric density and weave to depict the 1860’s period, but this has not be authenticated.  A spine with brass grommets was placed on the flag, possibly so that it could be attached to a flag pole, but it remains unknown who made or when this modification occurred.

Dave Purschwitz, a former commander and a founder of the 8^th Virginia was recently able to produce an old "Eppa Hunton's Dispatch" (Unit newsletter) dated October 1863 (1993).  A small article on the front page stated:

"SPECIAL PRESENTATION”

Mr. George E. Bentley of the Waterford Foundation, entered camp and made a presentation to the 8th Virginia of a "Stars & Bars" Flag which had been used in ceremonies in town for many years.  It was well worn and somewhat worse for the years, but accepted with great delight and reverence, by the men & ladies of the unit.  The Flag shall be cared for by the Captain of the unit."

The flag is currently in the possession of the 8^th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment and it remains well preserved using museum quality methods and techniques.  The 8^th Virginia is interested in loaning the flag to a responsible party and several historical organizations have shown interested in displaying the flag to the public.