15th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment - National Flag

Organized about a month after the state's three National Guard regiments were federalized, the 15th Minnesota, U.S. Volunteer Infantry, like the 12th and 14th, was destined to stay stateside. Trained in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Georgia before mustering out in March 1899, the 15th, like its counterparts, fought a constant battle with typhoid. Many of its members died from the disease while in the service.

While stationed in Georgia, one of the 15th's soldiers was killed in a bar room dispute. Others from the regiment, wanting to exact justice on the killer, pushed aside officers and took over the camp’s weapons and ammunition shed. The armed group then marched toward the town holding the prisoner. Before further violence occurred, officers rounded up the leaders and placed them under arrest. Several of the men were charged with mutiny and spent time in prison. In addition, a number of the 15th's officers were unfairly blamed for not stopping the mutiny.

While at Camp Ramsey, located on the Minnesota State Fair Grounds in St. Paul, Mary Hill, wife of James J. Hill, presented the 15th Minnesota with this flag on behalf of the St. Paul Commercial Club. Forty-five gold-leafed stars decorate the canton. One of the regiment's color bearers, Royal Stone, later served from 1923-1942 as an Associate Justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court.