The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1896-04-16
Gen. Williams and the First Flag oyer
Mexico.

Not all knights are dead, and while
love of country exists--so long as
there is will to dare and do. SO
long will be perpetuated IA species of
knight errantry. The later knights
are not second editions of Don
Quixote-hc of the sorrowful coun-
tenance they have their foibles, 1t
is true, but their ''Del Tobos' * not
a scrub woman, albeit that the God
dess of Liberty seems for II time to
have descended from her high pc
destal These knights are they who
have combined love of country III
their hearts "Old Glory is to them
more than bit of bunting.
This leads me to write something
anent the first American flag. krown
to historians and archaeOlogists as
''the old Trenton flag Il flag pre-
sented to Gen. George Washington
by Betsy Ann Ross; n flag which
peuusylvaniIus have houored and
which has shed honor upon Penn
sylvanians ilag which was II
christening gilt to the first Republic
of the world, and which in later
wears waved over conquered citadels
won by American yulor in our first
and only war Of aggression.
In all times there are found men
who fit and ill certain emergencies.
Virgil sings "Arma N,ru.n qlc cnno
Tragic Here is II sketch of the life
of the gallant Peunsylvanian who
carried America first flag to Mexico
and planted it upon the battlements
of conquered Chcpultepec.
1t was during the idyllic days o!
September. 1895, that | became u
guest mt the hospitable home OF
Gen Edward G. Williams. at Chap
man, Snyder county The General
is hero of two wars, and man
whose escutcheon mighS proudly
bear the legend: Sans peur sans
reproche.' He could hardly have
Sound more fitting place in which
90 pass his declining years. II is far
from the maddenlng crowd-it is
away from lfe's busy turmoil. The
limpid waters of the Susquehanna
almost lave his doors, and rs they
murmur gently on their course to
the sea they sing lullaby that is
full of restiulness to the listener.
Here, where all things are quiet
Here. where all trouble seems
Dead, winds aud spent waves riot.
A doubtful dream of dreams"
The days, months and years as
they pass, mark the graceful finish
e)f a life which has been devoted to
su. "o the honor of the country
win birth to so many
heI home of Gen.
EC man whose
pei lct attention
any my asscmb
lag lis spurs upon
tho No carpet
G' niuo nf ne
on
splcuol. .!.,~S in the
late War ol the Rcbellion-th,se
events in his life do not point to
him as one who yielded TO the soft
phasings OF the lutte instead of do
ing manly, soldierly duty upon the
tented field and in the grim array OF
battle.
In the home OF Gen. Williams and
its environment there is nothing to
suggest other than the realization ol
beneticent peace. The steam rail
way places the residence of the
veteran within IN hours time of the
capital of the State. The placid
bosom of the canal, which Is so near,
seems typical OF the present home
life of u man who well knows the
meaning of the expression, 'the
deadly imminent breach. The IN
yiting pia22as of the unpretentious
aud yet attractive residence; the
abundance of shade and fruit trees
and shrubbery, from which come
the gladstone trills, of feathered
songsters whose throats seem filled
with grateful praises. voicing their
fearlessness and abandon-every
surrounding is that of type which
the lotus-eaters found in their
wanderngs, and which prompted
them to say,
I'VE will no longer roam"
The first American flag ever made
was the handiwork of Betsy Ross,
and was presented to Gen. George
Washington by the maker, lust
previous To the battle of Trenton.
and its authenticity has been known
beyond Il doubt. Benjamin or
Richard Rush presented three flags
to the State of Pennsylvania the
old Trenton flag, the Hessian Ca blue
flag and an English flag, which
@ere deposited in the State Library
at Harrisburg. Capt. Williams and
Major John Brady borrowed the
Trenton flag from James Hoover,
State Librarian, in order to decorate
a ball room in the old school house
on Walnut street, where the Dau
nhin Guards then had their armory.
This flag was never returned to the
State Librarian. Capt Williams was
a member of the Dauphin Guards.
In measure he was custodian of
Americas most historic flag. He
CARED that flag with him to Mexico
with the full determination if he
lived, to unfurl it over the ramparts
OF the City of Mexico. Capt. vii.
iiams carried that flag with him. 1t
was wrapped about his body when
L. l.. n L