Allegheny College President George Loomis told students heading off to war in the Union army 141 years ago that they should make every effort to come back with their flag -- or die trying to defend it.

"Come back with the flag, boys, or come back wrapped in its folds," Loomis told the students on June 11, 1861.

Not all of the students returned from duty during the Civil War, but the blood spattered and shrapnel-torn flag did.

The flag, carried into the most violent battles of the Civil War, including Antietam, Gettysburg, Fredericksburg and Second Bull Run, was recently found and restored after an 87-year disappearance.

Alumni got their first peek at the flag of 13 stripes and only 34 stars earlier this month.

The last recorded appearance of the flag, stenciled with the 19 battles fought by Company I, was in 1915, during the college centennial.

College historian Jonathan Helmreich began looking for the flag four years ago and found it two years later, tucked far back in a library cabinet.

"I couldn't believe that it had just disappeared, although you always feared that it might have walked away," he said.

Restoration was completed in May by the Textile Preservation Association in Keedysville, Md., in time for the observance of Flag Day Friday.

The flag will be on display in the library later this year under a protective shield, but will be used during special occasions.

"There's been widespread interest in Meadville since we announced we found it," Helmreich said. "It's a symbol of sacrifice and triumph."

On one side of the flag is embroidered "Our Country" and on the other "Semper Fidelis," Latin for "always faithful." The U.S. Marines later adopted the motto.

Between 40 and 65 students served in Company I, 10th Pennsylvania Reserves, 39th Pennsylvania Volunteers.