Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-22

There was considerable reluctance on III,
part OF many of the people of the south to re
Enquish the stars and stripes. which was n par
OF the history OF their section of the countr-
as well as of that of the north. When the,
finally did adopt a flag they made it as muci
like the old flag as possible, in recognition o
this sentiment; so much so, indeed, that the,
were forced to adopt distinct battle flag, tn,
southern cross. as the stars and bars were
frequently mistaken for the stars and stripes
and vice versa, on the battlefield.
About the time the south was agitating the
question of distinctive device for their flag q
novel proposition was made by the anti-coer.
led by Prof. s. L. u. Morse. the inventor
who was the originator of the idea 1t was e
divide the old flag. giving half each to tho
north and south. The blue union was to be
diagonally divided, according to this scheme
and the thirteen stripes longitudinally. so as to
make six and a half stripes in the upper and a
like number in the lower portion. referring
to this as on map" said the advocates of 4
divided flag, the upper portion being north
and the lower portion being south, We have
the upper diagonal division of the blue field
and the upper six and a half stripes for the
northern flag and the lower diagonal division
OF the blue field and the six and a half lower
stripes for the southern flag, the portion of the
blue field TO contain the stars to the number OF
states embraced in each confederacy. The
reasons for such a division are obvious IL
by either ccnfederacy. IL is distinctive for the
two cannot be mistaken for each other. either
at sea or at distance on land. Each flag
being molety of the old flag will retain some
thing at least of the sacred memories of the
past for the sober reflection of each con fcderarv
and if a war with some foreign nation or
combination of nations should unhappily occur
(all wars being unhappy under our treaty of
offense and defense the two separate flags By
natural affinity, would clasp iittingly together,
"A - A
entirety, would again he hcisted, once more
embracing all the sister states"
But the boys in blue" knew n trick worth
two OF that. and they march along today as
the Grand Army of the Republic. under the
folds OF the glorious old flag OF the Union, in
Its entirety, embracing all the sister states and
a few more added, and have the satisfaction OF
knowing that Is through their efforts that this
Is SO. They then resolved that it should not
be divided and it was not, and, thank God. II
never shall be.
When Gen. Dix penncd his famous dispatch
of January 70. lSGl. concluding with the words,
IF any one attempts to haul down the Ameri-
can h&g. shoot him on the spot" secession
shot had already been hurled at the stars and
stripes. Although Gen. Dix afterward rendered
valuable service to his country other than THIS
timely exhibition OF patriotism, love for the
old flag and Union backbone, he is more
remembered as the author of that dispatch
II an for anything else he ever did IL was
sent In answer to a telegram from w. HemphilI
Jones, whom he had sen: soati. Tor the purpose
OF saving to the United States government: the
revenue cutters at New Orleans and Mob,la
ana who telegraphed from New Orleans that
Capt. Breshwood of the revenue cutter Me
CleIlaDd refused to obey orders ana was about
TO ny the faS OF Louisiana. Tie sentiment IL
contained found echo IN the hearts of the great
mass of the PEOPLE of the loyal states.
The first sEo: fired at Sumter during tho
BON in mr.
TO as the FIRST gun of the confederacy." and ~
seems TO be tie popular impression that this Is
so, out the stars aad stripes had been fired
VI on prior 10 that event by the secessionists.
On the morning OF Janunrv 3. 1861, the
steamer Star of the West. with 200 men. under
command OF Lieut. Chas r. Woods. L. s. A..
and supply of arms and ammunition and
three months ratlons on board for the relief
OF the garrison of Fort Sumter, steamed IN
Charleston harbor to within three quarters of
nile of the fort, when she was opened on by
a masked battery. Lieut. Woods in his
report said: I'VE went into the harbor with
the American ensign hoisted on the flagstaff.
and as soon as the first shot was fired a full
size garrison Gag was displayed at our fore.
but the one was no more respected than the
other We kept on still under the fire of the
battery. most of the balls passing
over us, one just missing the machin.
cry and another striking but few feet
from the rudder, while ricochet shot struck us
III the lore Cualus. Just apOut Two feet above
the water line and just below where the man
YVES throwing the lead Tho American flag
was flying at Fort Sumter. Finding il imoos.
sible to take my command TO Fort Sumter L
was obliged most reluctantly to turn about" A
second expedition for the relief of Fort Sumter
sailed from New York harbor April 10. 1851.
but for various reasons arrived too late to be
of avail.
On the Sd Of April, 1861, the Gag was again
fred upon. The schooner r. W. shannon,
-
with a cargo Of ice, was fred into by the rebel
mortar batteries on Morris Island Tho schooner
had drifted to . fog over the Chafleston
bar. When the fog lifted the captain. not
knowing his whereabouts, found himself
abreast Of the fort on Morris Island and was
greeted By gun from the fort He immedi-
Ateiy ran mp the star: and stripes and in
answer ssveral S2-pound shots we're fred. one
Of which passed through his mainsaii and
another through HIS topsail In the midst Of
ais diismmAr not understanding tho object Of
lhts hostile characterization, . boat ftom 6unter