Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-09
History of the American Flao

11lSLCiy 81 lie American Flag.
The Albany Express gives the folIowin:
interesting abstract of the history of GU
national colors, from an exceedingly inter
esting work by Capt. Schuyler Hamilton
U. S. A., recently published in Philadel
phia, and entitled "History of the America
Flag"
The first colors spoke of in connection
with the American Revolution were, signl
ficantly enough, called "Unon Flags" N
account is given Of the devices upon them
They are frequently spoken of in the news
papers of IVA.
The Connecticut troops fixed upon thei
standards and their drums in l775, the motto
'Qai TranstuH Sustinct," in letters of gold
literally, God, who transplanted US hither
will support us" This was the motto Eacl
regiment was distinguished by lis color
blue, orange, &c, &c.
July IS. 1875, Gen. Israel Putnam-glo
rious sold Put"-unfurled at Cambridge
Mass, on the joyful occasion of the recep
ton in that town of the Declaration of In
dependence, standard bearing this motto
on one side, can Appeal to Heaven" anc
on the other, Qui Tronstuht Sustsnct:" Thi:
flag was flung to the breeze amid the roaI
of cannon and the shouts of the people. II
was said at that time that ''the Phihstines
on Bunker Hill heard the cheers of the
Is1aelites Israel Putnam) and being fearful
paraded themselves in battle array" This
flag was red one-the signal of defiance OF
battle since the days of the Romans.
In September 1875, Col. Moultrie unfurlec
large blue flag, with a crescent in one
corner. This was the first American flag
displayed in South Carolina, and was usec
at the taking Of Fort Johnson, on James
Island. The crescent is the emblem Of
sovereignty.
A standard with white ground, a 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, 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 1875 was adopted the standard to be
used by the Commanders Chief of the
American navy, "being yellow field, with
lively representation of rattlesnake in
the middle. in the attitude of striking"
on me-"
The same year the cruisers of the colony
Of Massachusetts hoisted white flag, with
a green pine tree, and the motto, appeal to
Heaven
June 14,h, 1777, Congress passed the fol-
lowing resolution:
Uuited States be thirteen stripes, alternate
r,f{ Il vr,hi 1, Al
stars, white, in blue field, representing a
new constitution"
This was the origin of the National
Flag of the United States the glorious
Stars and pes"-which has proudly
waved since that day over many of the
greatest victories of modern times that stirs
the blood of every true-hearted citizen when
ever and wherever he beholds it floating in
the breeze that waves in every part of the
world, and that is everywhere respected, on
sea and on shore. ...
The above resolution was made public
September Sd, 1777. According to Col
Trumbull, the flag made in pursuance of it
was first used at the surrender of Burgoyne,
October 18th: of the same year. This was a
glorious beginning, truly, for that was one
of the most important victories ofthe Ameri-
can arms during the Revolution.
The first change in the national colors
was directed in the following enactment of
Congress, adopted January 18th, 1894.
BE it enacted. &C., That from and after
the first day of May, 1895, the flag Of the
United States be fifteen stripes, alternate
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 of the
Hon. Mr.. Wendover, of the State of New
York, return was made TO thirteen stripes !;
as ii was anticipated the flag would become
unweldy If stripe was added OH the ad-
mission of each State; and, moreover, by
the plan proposed the Union of the old
Thirteen States. as we'll as the number COM
prising the existing Union, would be repre-
sented by the flag of the United States. Mr.
w. also proposed the arrangement of the
stars in the Union into the form of single
star.
The resolution of 1918 was as follows:
"Resolred, That from and after the fourth
day of July next, the flag of the United
States be thirteen horizontal stripes, altern-
ate red and white. That the Union, be
twenty stars, white: on a blue feldD
::And, that, on the admission ola new
State into the Union, one star be added to
the Union of the flag; and such addition
shall take effect on the fourth day of July
succeeding such admission"
The flag planted on the National Palace
in the city Of Mexico had thirty stars in the
Union. Il is now deposited in the Depart
ment of State at Washin gton
The Union Of the flag Of the United States
now contains thirty one stars.
CURIOUS EprTApHs.- In a country grave
yard in New Jersey, there is plain stone
erected over the grave of beautiful young
lady, with only this inscription upon it.:
"Julia Adams, died of thin shoes, April
l7th, 1899, aged 49," $1,000
One stone more conspicuous than the
rest has this singular Inscription upon II