Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-04-27
The Old Flag on Sumter.
REV. HENRY WARD BEEcHER's ADDREs

REV. HENRY WARD BEECHER's ADDRESS
The great event of raising the Old
flag on Fort Sumter attracted thither
some four thousand persons. The news
Of Lees surrender reached Charleston
on the night preceding the 18th inst
the day appointed for the ceremony
and added new enthusiasm to the al
ready joyful occasion. The day was
fine; the national flag was displayed
from the public and many of the private
buildings of Charleston; all the national
vessels in sight were decked with col
Ors; and the national ensign also float
ed from all the forts in the harbOr ex-
cent Fort Sumter. The naval vessels,
IN their gay ana uIlmanO ,usss,lo., IUAlIlva
a circle around Sumter, inside OF which
the transports landed their passengers.
Within the fort, in the centre Of the
parade ground, a large platform, COW
cred with myrtle. evergreens and flow
ers, with an arched canopy overhead
draped with the American flag and in
terminged with beautiful wreaths, had
been erected the decoration being the
work of six Union ladies Of Charleston.
On the stage, beside the speakers stand
was golden eagle, holding a wreath Of
flowers and evergreens. Near by stood
the naSstatf about $50 feet high. Many
distinguished civilians and members of
the army and navy were present
Among the civilians, was DR.. Mackey,
the answering patriot Of Charleston,
with his wife and two daughters. About
one-siXth of those assembled were la
dies,
The cerem0ies were commenced by
singing song and chorus entitled
"Victory at Last" which was given
with great fervOr the audience joining
in the chorus Prayer was then offered
by the venerable Rev. Matthew Harris
Chaplain United States Army, being the
same divine who offered prayer at the
raising of the flag on Fort Sumter, when
Major Anderson removed his command
from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter
Dec q, 1860
Then followed the reading Of selec
tions from the Psalms, by Rev. r. S
Storrs, D. D., and the people, alternate
ly. Psalms 1875, Al and IS were ther
read.
Major Anderson's dispatch to the gov
eminent, dated steamship Baltic, of
Sandy Hook, April IS, 1861, announc
ing the fall of Fort Sumter, was ther
read by General E. D. Townsend
REMARKS OF GENERAL ANDERSON.
The raising of the old flag by Major
| General Anderson was the next act or
the programme, and when he stepped
forward on the platform, the burst o
| joy was uncomfortable, and the gallant
old soldier wept, and was for some mo
ments unable to proceed with his re.
marks, which were as follows
My friends and fellow citizens and
brother soldiers - By the consideratt
appointment of the Honorable Secreta.
| ry of War, am here to fulfill the cher.
ished wish Of my heart through foul
| long, long years Of bloody war, to re-
| D'OlS w us pIOpCl pace GIlS uCdl nag
which floated here during the peace be,
fore the first act Of his cruel rebellion
| thank God that ! have lived to see
this day-(great applause)-and to be
here to perform this duty to my coun-
| try. My heart is filed with gratitude
to that God who has so signally blessed
us, who has given Is blessings btyOnd
measure. May all he world proclaim,
Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace and good will towards men.
| (NOICEs-Amen, amen.
On the conclusion of his remarks he
seized the halliards and with firm and
steady pull run aloft the old flag. No
sooner Rad = caught the breeze Than
there was one tumutuous shout. 1t was
an inspiring moment-grand and sub
lime-never to be experienced again
"Our flag was tbere"-its crimson folds
tattered but not dishonored, regenerated
and baptized anew in the fires Of liberty