Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-09-21
niatorn Of the American Flag.

The Albany Express gives the following inter-
estng absracto of the history of our national col
ors, from an exceedingly interesting work by Cap
tain Schuyler Hamilton, o. s.. A., recently pub
lshed in Philadelphia, and entitled History OF the
American Flags"
American Revolution, were Significantly enough
called "Union Flags" No account is given OF the
devices upon them. They are frequently spoken
of in the newspapersof 1T74.
The Connecticut troops fixed upon then stand:
ards and their drums, in 1875, the motto, "Qui
TRANSLATE Sustinit, in Letters of gold-itterally
Good, who transplanted us hither, will support
u.s." This was the motto. Each regiment was
distinguished by its color-blue, orange, &c.
July 18th, 1915, Gen. Israel Putnam-glonouS
cold Pup'-unfurled at Cambridge, Massachusetts,
on; the Joyous occasion of the reception, in that
town, of the Declaration of 1ndependence, stand
ard bearing the motto on one side, can Appeal to
Heaven,'' and on the other "Qui TRANSLATE Sustl-
nit" The flag was flung to the breeze amid the
roarS of cannon and the shouts of the people. II
was said at that time that 'Jhe Phihstines on Bum
ker Hill heard the cheers of the Isrdetes, Israel
Putnam,) and being fearful, psraded themselves
in battle array" The flag was red one, the sig
nal of defiance or battle since the days of the Ro-
mans. .sf.
In September, 1776, Col. Moultrie unfurled
large blue flag, with a crescent in one corner
This was the first American flag displnyedin South
Carolina, and was used at the taking OF Fort John
Of sovereignty. raf lsa4fE II
standard with white ground, pine tree in
the middle, and the motto, 'Appeal to Heaven"
was adopted in 1875, as the flag of the Floating
batteries.
On January I'd, 1TT6,-the day that gave birth
to the new American army-the flag designated
as "The Great Union Standard" was hoisted-
This was the basis of the National Flag of the
present day. 4
In 1T76 was adopted the standard to be used by
the Commander-in-C Chief of the American Navy
being yellow field, with a lively representation
of rattle snake in the middle, In the attitude of
striking Underneath were the words:-"Don't
tread on me-"
The same year, the cruisels of the colony of
Massachusetts, hoisted white flag, with green
pine tree, and the motto-"Appealt to Heaven"
June 14th, 17T7, Congress passed the following
resolutions:
Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United
States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and whites
that the Union be thirteen staIs, white, in blue
field, representing new constitution.
This was the origin Of the NATIONAL flag of the
United States-the glorious "staTS and strips -
which has proudly waved since that day over many
of "the greatest victories OF modern times" that
stirs the blood Of every true heated citizen when
ever and wherever he beholds it floating in the
breeze that waves III every part of the world, and
that is everywhere respected, on sea and shore.
The above resolution was made public Septem-
Der 81, 1777. According to Colonel Trumbull, the
nag made IN pursuance OIL II was nISt used at the
surrender of Burgoyne, October 18th, of the same
year. This was glorious beginning, truly, for
that was one of the most important victories of the
American arms during the Revolution.
The first change in the national coloTs was drec-
ted in the following enactment of Congress, adop-
ted January 18th, 1894:
Be it enacted, &C., That from and after the first
day of May, 1895, thefag of the United States be
fifteen stripes alternately red and white; that the
union be fifteen stars, white in blue field.
This was the flag of the United States during
the war of 1924.
In 1918 the flag Of the United States was again
altered. On the suggestion ofthe Hon. mir. Wen
dover, of the State OF New York, a return was
made TO thirteen stripes, as it was anticipated the
flag would become unwieldy,s il a stlipe was add
ed the admission of each State; and moreover,
by the plan proposed. tile Unson of the old thir
teen States, as vel as the numbersof States COM
prislng the existing Union would I'D presented by
the flag OF the United States. Mr.. w. also pro-
posed the arrangement of the stars in the Union I'M
TO the form of siugle star.
The resolution Of 1913 was as follows:
Resolved, That from and after the fourth day OIL
July next, the dag Of The United States be thirteen
horizontal stripes, alternate red and white; that
the Union be twenty stars, white, on blue field;
and then on the admission OF anew State into the |
Union, one star be added to the union of the flag;
and that sach addition shall take effect ON the
fourth day Of July succeeding such admission. Il
The Gag planted on the National Palace in thet
city Of Mexico, had thirty stars in the union mi
Is now deposited u. the Department of State at
Washiugton. 6tm
; The union OF the dag Of the United States now |
contains thirtY-one stars.