Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Robens, J. P., fl. 1841-1864 The Old Flag. First Published by Union prisoners at Camp Ford, Tyler, Texas.

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03772 Author/Creator: Robens, J. P., fl. 1841-1864 Place Written: New York, New York Type: Newspaper Date: circa 1883 Pagination: 16 p. : Height: 20.2 cm, Width: 28.5 cm Order a Copy

Postwar souvenir facsimile of prison camp newspaper from 17 February 1864 to 15 March 1864, six issues. According to the preface, written by J.P. Robens, "The Old Flag" was published during an imprisonment of 13 months in Tyler, Texas. Contains camp news, poems, advertisements, jokes, and some war news. Contains a list of prisoners in the 17 February 1864 issue. With a bookplate pasted on inside cover printed with "Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Commandery of the State of Massachusetts," signed by General William F. Draper, March 27, 1883. With list of officers who were prisoners of war at Camp Ford printed in back. Lists rank, regiment, and where and when captured. Robens enlisted on 18 December 1862 at New York City, New York as a 1st Lieutenant and was commissioned into "E" Co. NY 176th Infantry. He is listed as a prisoner of war 23 June 1863 at Brashear City, Louisiana.

Robens, J. P., fl. 1841-1864
Draper, William F., 1842-1911

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources