The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1895-06-13
DOWNWITH THEFLAG

When the British left our shores at the
close of the Revolution, they left flying ono>
royal flag which, as they had nailed it to
the flagpole, they fondly hoped would con-
tinue to kiss the breezes for SONG time to
come.
Sir Guy Carleton had setapart day for
the evacuation of New York, and it fell on
the 25th of November The Americans,
led by some of their famous officers, were
ready to march in and take possession of
New York tho moment the last redcoat
had vanished, and on the 25th there was
great deal of excitement which could not
be wholly subdued.
At the foot of famous Broadway stood
Fort George, named for the British king,
and from its tall staff floated the flag
which the enemy had left behind.
1t Tapped in the breeze of that Novem
Der day in a manner quite distasteful to
the Americans who had seen it waving
there for almost seven years
It must come down, but how? The pa
triots did not want to destroy the tall flag
staff, for they wished to hoist upon it an
other flag which should represent the new
est republic on the face of the globe, and
SO they gathered about the staff as they
suggested means for lowering the British
flag.
The English vessels were vanishing
down tho narrows, and their white sails
would soon disappear, but there in tho
wind waved the flag they had left behind,
bidding defiance to their conquerors, and
saying in mute language that, though the
colonies were free, the emblem of king
still remained to disturb them.
II believe l could climb that pole, +" said
a boy who stood looking at the flag.
An American officer, overhearing these
words, turned and gave him look of as
constituent.
s'You do?'' said the officer. "Do you
really think you could climb that flagstaff
and tear the banner loose?"
Il could try anyhow"
Here sergeant, take this boy over to
General Knox and let him tell him what
he thinks he can do"
The sergeant took Johnny Van Arsdall
to the generals headquarters and saluted.
This boy says he can climb the flagstaff
and remove the British flag"
The kind face of Knox was illumined by
a smile He looked the boy over from
head to foot and said:
''You look agile, boy. You have climbed
before, have your"
Yes, SIR" replied Johnny, blushing.
''H you would let me try to take the flag
down, 1 would do my best"
You shall try, ard you look capable Of
doing it, and wish another salute the
sergeant withdrew and marched the de-
lighted boy back to the parade ground.
The crowd gathered about the flagstaff
looked at the boy and soon understood
what was up. A great many of them knew
him, and not few knew how agile he
was.
Not only had the departing British
nailed their flag to the pole but they had
knocked off tho cleats and creased the staff
SO as to make it hard to climb.
Johnny Van Arsdale went to work. He
had brought with him a lot of sand, and
by mailing back the cleats and applying
the sand to the slick pole he managed to
climb up hand over hand amid the cheers
of the people.
As-he neared the top of the tall flag pole
a strange hush seemed to fall over the
crowd below. 1t was expectation not alto
gether unmingled with fear.
There were those who feared that even
should he reach the top his hands would
not be strong enough to tear the flag loose,
but the little patriot persevered until he
could touch the ensign.
'tLook, he is up now said a voice far
beneath him. "He has caught hold of the
flag. He is tearing it loosel There, see
how it yieldsi He will accomplish his pur-
pose!''
He worked with will, watched all the
time by those on the ground, and when
they saw that he had wrapped the standard
around his body and had started upon his
descent, great cheer arose from every
throat.
Louder than ever was the cheer that rent
the air when the triumphant boy reached
the ground and unwrapped from his body
the wind torn banner which he had Sc
cured.
Il told the general I thought I could
bring it down." he said to the officer who
stepped forward to take the captured ban
ner.
In another moment he was hemmed in
by a wildly shouting crowd, and strong
men took him upon their shoulders and
carried him in ecstasy across the parade
ground
In little while another flag f1oated
from the flagstaff of Fort George, but it
was not the standard of the king. 1t was
the stars and stripes of the young nation
which had secured its right to have a flag
by seven years of war.
And while it floated there the last Brit
ish vessel vanished, and New York held no
soldiers but those who would henceforth
occupy it.
Johnny Van Arsda1e lived good many
years after his daring act in lowering the
last British flag, and more than once he
was compelled to relate to groups of chill
dren how he took it down from its lofty
height and saw the banner of freedom take
its place.-Boston Globe.