The 79th Regiment, or “Highlanders,” mustered into service for three years on May 29, 1861. When their three year term expired, those entitled were discharged and the regiment continued in service as “Veteran Volunteers,” as indicated by the “N.Y.S.V.V.” along the top of these blue silk flank markers. Both flags feature painted inscriptions in gold, shadowed in red, along the top and bottom. Also, each features a red painted shield in the center, framed with a gold painted border, and the regiment’s numeric designation painted in gold and shadowed in crimson. “N.Y.S.V.V.” and “REGIMENT.” are in mirror image on the reverse while the numeric designation reads left to right on the reverse. Lieutenant Colonel Henry Heffron deposited the two flags with the state on July 29, 1865

Photo source: New York State Military Museum

http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/historic/btlflags/btlflagsindex.htm)