Newest ‘Star’ Present at 38 Civil War Battles

SWAINTON — The “star” of the Alice Belanger McGuigan Military Room at the Cape May County Historical Museum wasn’t its benefactor. The Dennisville resident arrived early July 5 to get a good parking spot. McGuigan, who donated $25,000 toward the project, snipped the red ribbon to open the exhibit in “The Barn,” then stood, hand over heart, as a Coast Guard musician played “Taps.”
The “star” was a tattered 34-star American flag in the center of the south wall. Known as the Cape Island Civil War Flag, the almost-square, restored flag was “born” in Cape May County in 1861 after the nation was torn by rebellion. It was sewn by ladies of Cape May who presented it to Company A, 7th Regiment New Jersey Volunteers who mustered with 24 Cape May members Aug. 23, 1861.
The regiment was involved in about 38 battles including key conflicts that included Bull Run, Aug. 29, 1862, Gettysburg, July 2-3, 1863, Spotsylvania and Spotsylvania Court House, May 8 and 18, 1864, Petersburg, April 2, 1865 and Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865.
Howard Aaronson, president, Cape May County Historical and Genealogical Society, told those gathered in the shade of a huge tree near the barn why the exhibit went from the Cresse Holmes House basement, where it was for many years, to its present location.
Dampness caused by leaks had threatened the entire military collection in its former space, Aaronson said. Fearing damage to the irreplaceable wartime memorabilia, which ranges from the Revolutionary to Vietnam wars, the uniforms and gear were taken from that former place in the hope of finding a safer space elsewhere. That place was in “The Barn,” which had been a repository for carriages, the Fresnel lens from a former lighthouse, and much more. However, it was not secure, and expansion was needed.
A three-member committee undertook the task of expansion, Aaronson said. The project overall carried a price tag of about $100,000. With the contribution from McGuigan, he said, the project was nearly half funded when construction took place.
Aaronson called the flag the exhibit’s “cornerstone” since that is what it was “To those Civil War soldiers the most important thing they had. It was their rallying point in every battle.”
Restoration of the flag, which had spent many decades tucked away, unnoticed, took some $8,000, donated by John and Sarah Turner. The work was “beautifully done” by a person who restores items for the Smithsonian Institute.
Citing pricing some have paid for American flags that have flown in battles and been carried into space by astronauts, Aaronson asked, “What’s our flag worth?” He called it a “treasure of Cape May County.”
Stephen Barry detailed the history of the flag. He called it “a tool” that soldiers watched in the many battles against Confederate troops. He noted it was present in some of the “most critical battles” including Gettysburg, and it was present when Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant April 9, 1865.
Barry noted the ultimate sacrifice made by 32 Cape May County residents, of 360 who fought in the Civil War. Of the magnitude of loss to the nation in the war, he said there were about 7,000 living in Cape May County. That war “was just as much about the birth of freedom as the Revolutionary War,” Barry said.
Freeholder E. Marie Hayes, the board’s liaison to the Historical and Genealogical Society, lauded the sacrifices made by all in the military. She cited her four brothers who fought in various wars, and recalled what her parents taught, “This is our country, and it doesn’t come easy. Freedom isn’t free; it had to be paid for by someone.”
Along with the color guard from U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May traveled Lt. Eamon McGraw, U.S. Navy chaplain, assigned to the center. He opened the ceremony with a prayer for those who had given their lives in defense of liberty in the nation’s many wars.
“We assigned ourselves an almost impossible task; to have the barn annex renovated into a climate-controlled space and create a new environment for this wonderful collection by the Fourth of July 2014. Working on a shoestring budget with local contractors, and a lot of free labor from board members and volunteers, we can proudly show a project that is about 80 percent complete,” wrote James P. Hand.
“We still need the tempered glass installed in our custom-made display cases. Another project to be completed is the installation of glass doors and transom lights between the climate-controlled barn annex, and the colonial Smith Barn. State-of-the-art shelving/display units will be installed in the display cases where needed,” Hand continued.
“Many individuals that care about Cape May County history have contributed to this important project, but no one has assured the success of the project more than our long-time board member, Alice Belanger McGuigan. To show our appreciation for her efforts, the board has unanimously decided to honor her by naming this wonderful pace, the Alice Belanger McGuigan Military Room,” Hand wrote. He also lauded Matt Broomell, long-time volunteer. “His stewardship has culminated in the wonderful exhibit…”
The exhibit hall is more secure, climate-controlled, and will afford more protection to the artifacts, when complete. As James P. Hand pointed out to visitors after the dedication, still needed is tempered glass that will protect the collection of uniforms and other military gear in the room.
Outside the new room, which bears McGuigan’s name, is the lighthouse lens.
Elsewhere in the barn implements used for fishing, clamming and more are displayed.
Donna Matalucci, vice president of the society, said the barn contains relics from the various ways early residents forged a livelihood from the county’s field and waters.
Overseeing the collection is Curator Sheila McCloy-Nuss. Matalucci said McCloy-Nuss had spent a great deal of time rearranging items on display to make them more interesting for visitors.