90,000 Michigan soldiers fought in the Civil War with 15,000 making the ultimate sacrifice. The bullet torn, blood-stained battle flags they carried and died beneath were their proudest possessions, they stood for the Union, for their loved ones back home and also as the rallying point in combat. The Michigan Capitol Battle Flag collection, contains 240 flags carried by Michigan soldiers in the Civil War, the Spanish American War and World War I. This presentation concentrates on the importance of flags in battle, some regimental histories and the history of the collection including current conservation efforts.