Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-04-17
TERMS OF ADVERTISING.


/ History OF the American Flag.
The first colors spoken of in connection with
the American Revolution were significantly
enough called Union Flags" No account
is given Of the devices upon them. They are
frequently spoken Of in the newspapers ct
| I774.
The Connecticut troops fixed upon their
drums in l775, the motto OH 4idnstulH Sus-
tinnet, around it in letters OF gold, literally
God, who transplants us hither, will support
u.s. This was the motto. Each regiment was
distinguished by its color--blue, orange, &c.
| July Is, TITS, General Israel Putnam--glc-
rious "Old Put''-unfnrled q flag at Cam
bridge, Massachusetts, on the joyful occasion
OF the reception in that town Of the Declars-
tion Of Independents, bearing the motto ON
other /" Qui IrdnstuHt ,Snstinet." This flag
was flung to the breeze amid the roar Of can
non, and the shouts Of the people It is ssid
at the time that the Philistines on Bunker's
Hill heard the cheers of the Israeltes Israel
Putnam and being fearful, ,paraded themselves
in battle array" The flag was red one--the
signal Of defiance or battle since the days Of
the Romans.
In September, 1855, Colonel Moultrie ur-
furled large blue flag, with a crescent in one
corner. This was the Grst American flag dis
played in South Carolina, and was used at the
taking Of Fort Johnstown, on James Island.
The crescent is the emblem Of sovereignty.
A standard, with white ground, pine-tree
in the middle, and the motto, appeal to
Hearen," was adopted in October, 1875, as the
flag of of the floating batteries.
On January 2, l77e, the day that gave birth
to the new American army-the flag desg-
mated as The Great Union Standard, was
hoisted. This was the basis of that of the pres
ent day.
In l776 was adopted the standard to be used
by the commander-in-chief Of the American
navy, "beng lively representation Of the
rattlesnake in the middle, in the attitude Of
striking" Underneath were the words, "Don't
tread on me-"
The same year the cruisers Of the Colony of
Massachusetts hosted white flag, with green
pine-tree, and the motto, appeal to Hedren"
July IA, l777, Congress passed the following
resolution:
Resolred, That the flag Of the thirteen United
States be thirteen stripes, alternately red and
white, that the union be thirteen stars, in blue
held representing q new constitution
This was the origin of the national flag Of
the United States-the glorious "Stars and
Stripes" have proudly waved since that
day over many of the greatest victories cf
true hearted citizen whenever or wherever he
beholds it floating on 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 Sep
tember 2. iii. According to Colonel Trum-
bull, the flag made in pursuance Of it was first
used at the surrender Of Burgoyne, October Is,
of the same year. This was a glorious begin
ming, truly, for this was one Of the most impor-
tant victories of the American arms during the
Revolution.
The first charge ia the national colors was
directed under the following enactment of Con.
gress, adopted January l3, 1894.
BE IL enacted, de-, That from and after the
first day of May, 1896, the flag of the United
States be fifteen stripes, alternate red and white
That the union be fifteen stars, with blue
field.
This was the flag Of the United States dur
ing the war Of lsl2J4.
In 1898 the flag of the United States was
again altered. On the suggestion of Hon. Mr..
Wendover of New York, return was made to
the thirteen stripes, as it was anticipated that
the flag would become unwiedy if stripe was
added on the admission of each State, and
moreover, by the plan proposed, the Union Of
the old thirteen States as the number Of States
composing the Union would be represented by
the flag of the United States. Mr.. Wendover
also proposed the arrangement Of all the stars
in the union into the form OF a single star.
The resolution of 1918 was as follows:
Resoiped, That from and after the 4th day
of July next, the flag Of the United States be
thirteen horizontal stripes alternate white and
red: That the union be twenty stars, white, in
a blue field
And that, on the admission OF a new State
into the Union, one star be added to the union
OF the hag; and that such addition should take
effect on the 18th Of July succeeding the admis-
sion.
The flag planted on the National Palace in
the city of Mexico had thirty stars in the union.
II is now deposited in the Department Of State
at Washington.
The union Of the flag Of the United States
now contains thirty-one stars.