Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-06-12
UNITED STATES FLAG LORE.
Some Interesting Facts In the History Of
Old Glory.

Ola
The history of the American flag is too
familiar to need repetition. The stars, in
number equal to that of the statcs-a star
being added whencvera territory is admit
ted to statehood-form tho union, the ID
stripes representing the original states.
Both national and regimental colors are
used in the United States army by each
regiment-cxccpt cavalry, which has only
q regimental standard-and by the engi-
ncer battalion-the national colorS in va
rious sizes The garrison flag the largest,
Is used only at important times. 1t is 20
feet on the hoist, with fly of 36 feet, the
rnion being onc-third the length of the
fly, and in depth to the lower edge of the
fourth red stripe. The ordinary post flag
is smaller and the storm flag smaller still.
The rcgimentai colors of the United States
infantry are Of blue silk and bear in the
center the arms of the United States Be-
low the eagle is u red scroll, with the num-
Der and name of the regiment in white.
The United States artillery has scarlet reg
mental colors, with two cannon crossed
in the center, with ~. s." in yellow
above and tho rcgimental number below.
The cavalry rgimcntal standard is
beautiful seamless yellow silk, with 4
of the United States are in blue in the
center, and beneath the eagle red scroll
bears the name and number of the rcgi
mcnt in yellow.
Tho United States engineers carry scar
let colors, bearing in the center castle,
with ~. S." above and Engineers be-
low, castle and lettering being in silver.
Battles in which the regiments distin-
guishcd themselves were formerly listed on
the colors and standards, but are now
shown on the staff. The national and
regimcntal colorS and standards are kept
at the commanding officers quarters
and are escorted to the color company
or troop amid much ceremony, the escort
being headed by the band. The color guard
arc selected for their soldicrly appearance
and qualities-men who would rather die
than surrender.
The flags of the United States navy are
made of American bunting thoroughly
tested for strength and soaked in salt wa
ter and dried i'll the sun for colors. There
may be some 100 flags on q United States
warship-say % foreign flags according
to the station on which she will cruise), 20
American cnsigns, III pcnnants, union
jacks ~ rear admirafs flags Gf a flag
ship, 90 international signals and the re-
mainder signal and miscellaneous flags
Ensigns (stars and stripes, of coursc) run
in eight sizes, from that used on vessels
with very long spars and which is 10 feet
on the hoist and 36 feet on the fly, to the
little 2.37 by T. SO foot boat flag, too small
to sport more than the original Is states
in its union. The No. union jack is the
10. 20 by IA. 40 foot union of the No. en-
sign. and the other jacks conform similar
ly to the unions OF the corresponding en-
signs When u captain puts his ship into
commission, he hoists, in addition to the
ensign, a pennant. This has fly of 40
feet, the union occupying 1850, with 13
stars. The admirals and vice admiral's
flags of the United States navy, when these
ranks are filled, are blue, with four and
three white stars respectively. 1t will DO
remembered from the Columbian naval re-
view, when our fleet was divided into three
squadrons, each in command of a rear adj
mir,l, that we preserve the old English
distinction of the blue, the red and the
white flag. The secretary Of the navy flies
a blue flag with four white stars, an anchor
and cable, the assistant secretary reversing
the colors. The presidents flag is blue,
with the arms of the United States, the
eagle and stars white, the shield preserv-
ing tho "tinctureS. Outlook.
A Tireless Worker.
A physician says In The Medical Brief:
Il have always considered the heart the
most perfect organ of the animal economy
and one that never shirks its duty. With
out one seconds rest, night or day, often
without the intermission of a single pulsa-
ton, at every beat it propels two ounces Of
blood through its structure. At IS pulsa-
tions per minute 9 pounds of blood is
sucked in and pumped out; every hour, $40
pounds; every day, 1880 pounds; every
year, 4, 730. 400 pounds: every 100 years, 473,-
100000 pounds. Verify good organr'