The Louisiana Democrat., 1891-08-05
THE FLAG OF LOUISIANA.

In the column of "Qaestions and
Answers" of the Tines Democrat, of
the eth ult., we find the following
scrap OF war history:
My recollection is that the flag that was
over the City Hall of New Orleans at the
time of it's surrender to the Federal fleet
was the State flag of Louisiana, a STAN
dard resembling the Stars and Stripes,
except that the stripes were more varie-
gated in color and the stars were fewer.
Is my recollection correct! Please des-
crbe the flag accurately. What is the
origin and history of samef BY answer.
ing these queries you will oblige several
curious persons. +. i. +.
You are correct; the flag taken down
from the City Hall was the flag of the
State of Louisiana. The account of the
taking down is as follows: con the 29th
of April, 1862, at IL o'clock, Capt. Bell,
with an escort of United States marines
with two cannon, came to the City Hall
and the flag was taken down by the Uni
ted States officers, after Mayor Monroe
had refused to take it down Admiral Far
ragut having threatened to lombard the
city. Monroe's answer to Farragut's de-
mand was: ''You are not satisfied with
the peaccable possession of an undefend-
ed city, opposing no resistance to your
guus; because of its bearing its doom
with some manliness and dignity you
wish to humble and disgrace us by the
performance Of an act against which our
nature rebels This satisfaction you can
not expect to obtain at our hands. We
will stand your bOnlbal dment unarmed
and undefended as we are; the civilized
world will cOnSign to indelible infamy
the hand that will dare to consummate
it," On the 10Th Of February, 1861, Mr..
Elgee, of Rapides, on behalf Of the spe.
cial committee appointed to report on a
flag for Louisiana lin the convention
then held in Baton Rouge) submitted the
following: '"The flag of Louisiana shall
consist and be composed of thirteen hori-
zontal stripes of the colors hereinafter
described, to he disposed of in the follow
ing order, commencing from the upper
line or the edge of the flag, to-wit: First,
blue; second, white third, red fourth,
white; fifth, blue; sixth, white; seventh,
red eighth, white; ninth, blue; teuth,
white; eleventh, red; twelfth, white /;
thirteenth, or bottom stripe, blue; and
we do further ordain that there shall be
in the upper or chief Corner of the flag a
square field, the cclor Of which shall be
red and the size thereof eqnal to the
width of seven stripes, and that in the
ceutre Of said field there shall be a star of
due aud prcportionate size, having FIVE
points or rays, and that the color Of said
star shall be pale yellow, and we do
further ordain and establish that the
said flag and no other shall be the ma
tional flag of the State of Louisiana
Mr.. Elgee, i'll explaining the reasons for
the design of the flag, said: !" the
gorgeous ensign of the once Great Re-
public lay at our feet let us, we
said with one accord, retain the stripes,
f0T however dissensi0n and frenzied hate
may have torn the country asunder still
the memory of the old thirteen still
lives. The blue, white aud red
emblems of hope, virtue and valor we
dedicate to the memory of those who first
Vu Sull ldlu uIo VI CupllCs
If to France We are indebted for
the foundation of this colony let us not
forget Spain, that built up the structure
To the children of Spain we dedicate the
colors of red and yellow, to be found in
the field and in the star springing from
three nationalities. The star of Louisi-
ana has arisen to take her place in the
political armament"