New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-14
ASA BIRD GARDENERS SOCIETY.

rrow 1T WAS ORGANIZED IN 1890 AND NOW
REACHES BACK TO THE EARLY PART
or THE CENTURY.
To The Edlto- OF The Tribune
Sir: Since the Anderson Zouave Association
passed resolutions supporting the CAIN Oh 10
comrade, Christopher X. Forbes. against the 30
cety Of the War of 1872 for the honor OF RAISING
the flag at the Battery on Evacuation Day ."e'e
has been much controversy as to the claims or ...~
persons connected with the contest Asa BRO
Gardiner representing the society," says that Johh
Van Arsdae, Forbess great-grandfather' never
performed the deed for which he was honored ana
that his society alone has just claim on the nag
raising privilege Being member OF the van
Arsdae element wish TO say as to the society OF
the War OF 1872 that it started In 1890 rive
men were found who served in the War OF loiz
They lived in 1srious parts Of the State The date
Of organization, 1890 did not suit the wouio-oe vet
Grams of 1872 So they changed the date OF orgahi-
zaton from 1890 to 1926 and had stationery printed
on which its birth given as 1926 There Is also
an 1872 war society. the secretary Of which makes
his headquarters at Germantown, Penn wh Mr
GardIner and his followers soon came in conflict
mSsp hOqss The so 0SSy wn nsa its
and Mr. Gardiner set to work; so 1t appears 70 I,
even this difficulty lie nrs s an 50 IL
dependent Veteran Corps Of Artillery Of bSa wHss s
organized abou: the beginning OF the century ana
was composed entirely Of soldiers OF the Rsyoo-
parade and do salute duty
one of the members of this organization was John
Van Arsdale, who, when New fork was evacuated
by the British November o. 1888. found that the
British had left their flag nailed TO the pole at the
battery, and a further means of securing II there
had CREASED the pole. He nailed cleats to the nag
staff, climbed up. tore down the British nag threw
IL to the ground and put up the first American nag
which noated from that part Of Manhattan Island
For many years after that November day van ATS
dale performed the act Of raising the flag on Bat
terry Place and the artillery company OF which ne
became member always acted as his escort AFTER
the first few years he raised the flag not only on
November Is. but also on Washingtons Birthday and
on the Fourth OF July, and this he continued until
1856 when he died. His son, David Van Arsdale.
succeeded to the honor, and he also was member
of the Veteran Corps of Artillery. David Van Ars-
dale died November Il. 1853. He called his grandson
Christopher II. Forbes and arranged that Christie.
pher should be his successor. And now, in view OF
all these facts Asa Bird Gardiner desires to take
this honor from Forbes which he and his ancestors
have enjoyed undisputedly 1l2 years.
Captain Charles f. Morse. OF the Anderson Iou-
ayes, commanded the escort to Forbes on July 4,
.sej While they waiting for the sun to rise,
four men came and claimed that they had the
authority TO raise the flag, but they refused TO show
any document 20 that effect. They were members OF
the Gardiner 1872 Society. Forbes raised the flag
despite their opposition. The Gardiner claims VIII
be vigorously contested by the Van Arsdale family
and its friends. The Anderson Zouaves. the Ander-
ngton Continentas have already spoken on the
subject and other organizations will probably be
heard from. 1t is said that much interesting matter
pertaining to the claims of the contesting parties
might he CLEANED from the records of the old Wash
ington Continentals. The books were recently lent
to Asa Bird Gardiner by Captain John g. Norman
to whom they have not yet been returned. a.
NeW-YOrk. Dec. l. 1895