Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-04


nished by one of the officers. This patchwork
dag was soon floating over the bastions and
cheered the patriot soldiers on to glorious
work.
THE FLAG OF FIFTEEN STRIPES.
Vermont and Kentucky having been admit
ted ~ new states in 1894 an act was passed by
Congress increasing the stars an stripes on the
flag from thirteen to fifteen. This was the flag
presented to the national convention of France.
II carried by the American vessels through
out the war of fsl2. and in al the battles Of
that war. both on land and sea. When Con-
gress by the act of March 2. 1899. provided for
an ensign and pennant for vessels of the reve.
nue. service il ordered that the ensign
should consist of sixteen perpendicular stripes,
red and white. and the union bear the arms Of
the United States III dark blue on a white field.
The stripes represent the number of states in
the Union when the flag prescribed, and
the revenue ensign, having undergone no
change since, still has sixteen perpendicular
stripes
Star Spangled Banner" was the flag of Fort
McHenry and is still preserved by the descend
ants of Col. Armstead. the gallant defender Of
the fort 1t Is. as stated, flag of fifteen stars
and hiteen stripes.
THE THIRTEEN AGAIN.
change in the flag having become desira-
BILE after the admission of the states of Tennes-
see, Ohio. Louisiana and Indiana, it was re-
solved by Congress on the admission Of the last
named state. in 1916, that a committee be ap.
pointed TO inquire into the expediency of alter
ing the flag Of the United States Capt. s. c..
Reid. famous for his defense of the privateer
General Armstrong in Fayal Roads, was re-
quested to make design for the flag which
would represent the increased number Of states
without destroying the distinctive character of
the flag. Capt Reid recommended that the
twin har olr 90 l,a
that the stars should be increased to the num-
Der of states and formed into one great
star, whose brillancy should represent their
Union; also that a star should be added to this
constellation for every new state admitted.
After considerable debate Congress enacted
that from and after the 4th day Of July next
the flag of the United States be thirteen hori-
zontal stripes. alternate red and white that the
union have twenty stars, white in blue field"
And that on the admission of every new state
10 the Union one star be added to the union of
the nag. and that such addition shall take effect
on the ith Of July next succeeding such admis-
SION"
This act was approved April 4, 1918. and it is
the law now in force. Though il prescribes for
the first time that the stripes shall be horizon
tai IL does not designate the number of points
the stars shall have or how they shall be placed
In the union. Mrs. Reid, the wife of the de-
s.gner. who hung to the breeze the first flag
under the new law, arranged tine stars as her
. hurOshu uau suSktsteu III one great star. Inc
arrangement OF the stars has been left largely
matter of taste and choice. BY direction Of
the President orders were issued May 10, 1918,
that The stars in the flag to be worn by the
vessels of the United States and at our naval
stations should be arranged in parallel line.
That order has never been rescinded The
irst state to add star to the constellation Of
the new flag was Illinois, admitted December
3, 1915.
IL is In accordance with the act of 1918, which
has been quoted, that star is ADDED to the flag
Z today on account OF the admission of the state
of Idaho to the Union.
In accordance with an order issued by the
War Department the field or union Of the ma
tional flag in use in the army will. on and after
today, consist OF forty-four stars in six rows,
the upper and lower rows to have eight stars
and the second, third, fourth and fifth rows
, seven stars each in blue field
Instead OF the old familiar form the stars
IN the national flag will be arranged in the fol-
lowing order: