The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-19
THE STARS AND STRIPES.
An Unparalleled E1ploit-Ths American Banner
Raised in Peru at the Height OF 1874
Feet Above the Level OF the Sea-
What Americans in Peru Can Do.
LIMA, July 10, 1873.

LIMA, July 10, 1873.
The natal day Of the United States OF America
was worthily and singuarly celebrated by some OF
her enthusiastic sons in Peru, who placed the Star
spanged Banner on the very summit OF the
Andean chain, a material height never reached be-
fore by that emblem OF liberty From the interest
lng account Of this exploit furnished to your cor
respondent by Mr.. A. +. Goldsmith, an engineer
On the great Oroya Railway, the following data
have been extracted, which will prove to our peo-
pile at home that
FoRRIGN SKIES DO NOT CHANGE AMERICAN HEARTS
The report reads as follows -Four OF the gen.
flemen comprising the engineer corps on the
above mentioned work. remembering the up
proach Of the Fourth OF July, set themselves to
Cogitating as to the manner in which they should
celebrate the anniversary. Fired by the desire to
render the day as notable as was in their power,
these young Americans conceived a scheme which
Is refreshing when compared to the stereotyped
speeches and veXatious fre-crackers popularity pa
tronized in the United States. 1t was resolved to
make the ascent OF the highest peak OF the Andes
In this portion of Peru, and from that elevation
throw out to the mountain air the flag Of their
country. lofty ridge OF the Cordilcra, situated
short distance from the line OF the railway, was
known to be the greatest in height, and had been
found TO be accessible rom one side; but the modus
Operaadi now engaged the attention OF the patriots
A flag and nag stan were to be procured,
and Goldsmith was detailed as committee
OF one to proceed TO Lima for this purpose, while
his associates, Tobias Cunnn ham and Bssel, pre-
pared the necessary adjuncts on the spot. The
gallant officers and Admiral Steadman, of the war
ship Pensacola, then lying in Callao Bay, mani
tested the utmost interest in the novel project,
and generously presented the enterprising party
with superb American ensign, thrty-siX ieet In
length.
As The celebration was to take place on Peruvian
soil. some honor to this lourishing Republic had 10
be paid, and fine Peruvian nag was obtained to
Noat alongside of the device OF the elder sister.
THE DIFFICULTIES,
nevertheless continued 1t was impossible to
transport wooden poles to such height, and the
ingenuity OF the engineers substituted iron up
rights for the fagstafrs. These were made of hol-
low tubes three inches in diameter, and in lengths
OF twenty feet. They were carried from Lima to
San Bartolome, station forty-slx miles distant
from the capital by rail, and thence to the Gaera,
the scene Of action forty-eight miles further on,
ninety,1our miles from Lima, on the west slope OF
ihe dividing range of the Andean chain,
1t was founded in 1872 by the engineer
corps OF the oroya Railway, and is probably the
name from the Gaera lass. Under this pass the
Galera or summit tunnel OF the Oroya Railway is
instance OF work OF this description being effected
at such an altitude. Here too, is established q
meteorological observatory, conducted Ia the inter-
ests Q, the smithsonian Institute 10y nr Tobias, the
Resident engineer, and by Dr.. E. I. Bssel. The
enthusiastic gentlemen, who kindly afforded me
these data, Enthusiastically remark. "Here we
have six steam power engines, averaging
eighty horse power each, and compressors
made at the Delamoter Iron Works in
New York in sections, and brought ever
the mountains on the backs OF mules; tAis Is the
highest known point where piston rod has been
moved by steam and here ON the morning OF the
Fourth OF July handful OF Americans procee ded
80 accomplish feat which in its peculiar way has
no parallel that your correspondent is acquainted
with.
were laden with the fag tine iron tubes for the
stan, provisions, tools, &c, and the ascent was
were not forgotten; barometer, thermometer,
and spirit lamp graced the backs OF the sturdy
lives. TO those who have never attained such an
altitude the difficulties OF
ANDEAN FOOT TRAVEL
are unknown and almost incredible; to proceed
continuously for more than rod Is simply imp0S-
sible; 1t seems that at every step breath departs
forever; the feeling OF oppression at The heart and
ton OF the atmosphere and called forth all Of the
endurance OF the party. When hall way up the
On the left, looking south was the noble valley Of
the Amazon; on the right the Pacific slope, and so
eons could not walk ABREAST 81. Climbing along in
Indian file, the party proceeded until halt was
called to the body aud prepare for the
rocks depending from the side of the peak.
AT TWELVE O'CLOCK THE SUMMIT
was reached, and, standing knee-deep in the snow,
the gallant band consisting OF II. =. Tobias, OF
Peotone, Ill j. 5. Cunningham, OF New YORK; Dr.
Z. l.. Blssell, OF Connecticut A. F. Goldsmith, OF
Dover, N. H.. Job NJ. Tobias Of Illinois; J. II. Van
Brockin, Of Oneida; Ii. NJ. Smith, OF springfield,
ana J: A, shirtzer, OF New York, congratulated
each other on their triumph.
Soon the Indians arrived with their loads and in
short space OF time the iron tubes connected
and two nagstaiis erected, guyed with heavy
wres-one forty-nve feet high, surmounted by q
huge weather vane aud a bail wenty-six inches in
pretentious, situated some fifty feet distant.
TO TIE BREEZE.
AT two O'Clock all was IN readiness for the Sd
preme victory OF courage and love OF country over
The dreary obstacles Of the irownng Cordillera. A
great TIN box was brought forward by one OF the
indians containing document IN which were
1nsc Id ed the names OF Presidents OF the Uni ed
States and Peru, with those OF the members OF
rheir respective cabinets; fac-simile of the Decla
ration Of Independence, Of glorious memory; to.
gether with the names OF Henry and Jonn q.
Nieiggs, the contractors OF the road the officers
and engineers OF the undertaking; COINS OF the
United States and Peru; copies OF the NEW YORK
HERALD and other American journals
This box was deposited midway between the two
nagslans, and the indians pied stones over 1t in
the form OF a cairn to the height OF twenty feet.
The American nag was then boosted by Mr. Cold
and the inevitable tiger. on one OF the stripes
was printed the name Of the United States flagship
pensacola, the generous donor OF the banner.
peruvian ensign then was hauled up TO the top OF
Tie other pole, the Indians doing their best to en-
nate their white comrades in their Utuas After
this. aud the customary breaking OF a bottle Of
Veuue CtiQtot, marble slab bearing the inscrip-
MOUNT MEiGGS.
July 1, 1873
was placed on the summit OF the calrn. The two
emblems received the salutations (per deputyl Of
Mr.. Pardo the President OF Peru, and OF MI Henry
Ielggs, the Railway King of South America
MOUNT NRIGGs
IL situated in latitude II AZ 80 south longitude OF
east from OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES miles from
the Pacific coast, ana more than two thousand feet