Act 125 also ensured the return of the battle flags to the capitol building. A committee planned their return on the 40th anniversary of the acceptance of the Madison Guard into service of the Union Army. On April 16th, the flags would be marched from the historical society building on campus, in the hands of many of the same men who carried the flags into battle, to their place in the State Capitol Rotunda. Accompanied by the university band, university cadets, the governor’s guard, and the Lucius Fairchild GAR post, the parade would conclude with a reception ceremony with Governor La Follette and other dignitaries.
Unfortunately, rainstorms cancelled the parade, and the flags were returned the next day to the Capitol without the planned fanfare. As reported in the Wisconsin State Journal that day, “With the flags in the capital (sic), the weather wil (sic) not interfere with the ceremonis (sic) next time.”