The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-11-30
History Of the American Flag.

The Albany Express gives the following
interesting abstract of our national colors
from an exceedingly interesting work by
Capt. Schuyler Hamilton. T. S. A., recent.
y published, and entitled s'IIistory of t!,e
American Flag
The first colors spoken oil in connection
with the American Revolution were sig
nifcantly enough, called Union Flags :
No account is given Of the devices upo,
them. They are frequently spoken OF in
the newspapers Of 1874.
The Connecticut troops fixed upon tiei,
standards aud their drums. in 1775, the
motto, "Qu TRANSLATE Sustiuit,'' in letters
of gold-li,erslly, ".God, who otran splaniea
us tither. viii support us.'' This was the
motto. Each regimen, was distinguished
by lis color-blua, orange. &c.
July 18th, 1775. Gen. Israel Putnam
glorious sold Put unfurled at Cam
bridge, Massachusetts, on the Joyous oe-
casion of the reception. in that town, OF The
Declaration Of Independence, standard
bearing the motto on one side, IAN appeal
to Heaven" and on the other, "Qni Trans
iatt Sustinit." Tho flag was flung to the
breeze amid the rpars Of cannoa and the
shouts Of the people. 1t was said at that
time ..ths Phi';stines on. Bunker Hill heard
the cheers OF the IsraeliteS, Israel Put,
nam.) and being fearful, paraded them
selves in battle array" The flag was a
rea! one. the signal of defiance or battle
since the days OF the Romans.
In September. l776. Col. Moultrie un.
furled large blue flag. with crescentin
one corner. This was the first American
flag displayed in South Carolina. and was
used at the taking Of Fort Johnson. James
Island. The crescent is the emblem OF
sovereignty.
standard with white ground pine
tree in the middle. and the motto. appeal
to Heaven was adopted in TITS, as the
flag of the floating batteries.
On January Cd. 1776.-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.
In f776 was adopted the standard TO be
used by the Commander-inC Chief OF the
American Navy--being yellow field, with
lively representation of rattle snake in
the middle, in the attitude OF striking. Tn
derneath were these words:-"Don'. tread
on me-"
The same year the cruisers of the colo
ny Of Massachusetts hoisted awhile flag
with green pine tree, and the motto--"Ap.
peal TO Heaven.''
June 18th. I777, Congress passed the
following resolution: rs
RESOLVED, Fhat the flag Of the thirteen
United States be thirteen stripes, alternate
red and white; that the Union be thirteen
stars, white. in a.blue field, representing
a new constitution. s
This was the origin of the National Flag
of the United States-the glorious s.stars
and stripes which has proudly waved
since that day over many of '.the greatest
victories OF modern times;' that stirs the
blood OF every trne hearted citizen when
ever and wherever he beholds it floating
in the breeze; that waves in every part oil
the world, and that is everywhere respect
ed. on sea and shore.
The above resolution was made public
September cd. l777. According to Colo.
mel Trumbull. the flag made in pursuance
oft was first used atthe surrender Of Bur-
goyne, October 7th, of the same year
This was glorious beginning. truly. fol
that was one of the most important vioto-
ries Of the American arms during the Rev
dictionary War. go
The first change in the National colors
was directed in the following enactment ol
Congress. adopted January 18th. 1894. 3
Belt enacted. &C., That from and after
the first day of May. 1875, the flag Of the
United States be fifteen stripes, alternately
red and white; that the Union be fifeet,
stars. white, in a blue field. -
This was the flag Of the United States
during the war Of fi8i2-'i4. &