Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-06-29
UNIFIED STATES FLAG LORE.
Come Interesting Facts In the History o.
Old Glory.


Old Glory.
The history of the American flag is too
familiar to need repetition. The stars, in
number equal to that of the states-a star
being added whenevera territory is admit
ted to statehood-form the union, the 10
stripes representing the original states.
Both national and regimental colors are
used in the United States army by each
regiment-except cavalry, which has only
a regimental standard-and by the engi
neer battalion-the national colors in va
rious sizes. Tho garrison flag, the largest,
is used only at important times. 1t is 20
feet on the hoist, with fly of 80 feet, the
Union being one-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 regimental 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 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 the regimental number below.
The cavalry regimental standard is
beautiful seamless yellow silk, with a 4
foot fly and feet on the lance. The arms
of the United States are in blue in the
center, and beneath the eagle red scroll
bears the name and number of the regi-
ment in yellow.
The 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-
guished themselves were formerly listed on
the colors and standards, but are now
shown on the staff The national and
regimental 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
are selected for their soldierly 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 in the sun for colors. There
may be some 100 flags on United States
warship-say % foreign flags according
to the station on which evil cruise), 20
American ensigns, II remnants, 4 union
Jacks, 10 rear admiral's flags (if flag
ship, 20 international signals and the re-
mainder signal and miscellaneous flags.
Ensigns (stars and stripes, Of course) run
in eight sizes, from that used on vessels
with very long spars, and which is 10 feet
on the hoist and SO feet on the fly, to the
little 1887 by L. SO foot boat flag, too small
to sport more than the original ID states
in it's union. The No. union jack is the
1920 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 captain puts his ship into
commission he hoists, in addition to the
ensign, pennant This has fly of 20
feet, the union occupying 1850, with Is
stars The admiral's 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 be
remembered from the Columbian naval re-
view, when our fleet was divided into three
squadrons, each in command of'a rear ad-
miral, that we preserve the old English
distinction of the blue, the red and the
white flag. The secretary of the navy flies
q 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 the ''tinctures. "-Outlook.