Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-01-13
The Color Escort.


than to iuculeate in him love and re-
spect for the flag he has sworn to up-
hold and defend To bring about ilis
end there are certain ceremonies in the
army that are intended to impress the
wearers Of the uniform with the dignity
of the flag. One of these ceremonies is
called the escort to the color, and il
is the finest and most impressive OF all
military observances. Every regiment
carries two hags-one national and the
other the regimental, which carries the
number and name of the regiment.
These flags are kept at the residential
quarters of the colonel or at bis office,
where they are zealously cared for. II
IS when the regiment parades, and
these flags are to be brought 10 the
troops, that the escort to the color Is
carried out.
When the regiment has formed line
on the parade the colonel details COM
pany to bring the colors aud escort
them to their place in the line. The
company marches in column OF plA-
toons, beaded by the band, which docs
not play as the march down tho front
of the line is made The two color
sergeants, old and faithful soldiers ap-
pointed to these desired places by rca-
son Of long service and military bear
ing, march between the two platoon'.
Upon arriving in front Of the building
where the flags are kept line is formed,
the band standing on the right Of the
escort
The first lieutenant, with drawn
sword, followed by the two color ser
geants, who are followed in turn by a
sergeant armed with rife. enters the
building and receives the flags When
the color bearers appear, followed by
the Lieutenant and the sergeants, they
halt at the entrance and form hAc,
facing the escort. Arms are presented,
and the field music (the trumpetersl
sound a thrilling call named ITO the
color, during the sound of which all
stand motionless, with arms at tue
present After the sounding of the
color has ended, arms are brought to
the order, and then column Of pla.-
toons is reformed, the two color sell
geants taking places between the tao
platoons and thus guarded, the march
is taken up, the band playinga spirited
air.
Around the shady main avenue Of
the post marches the escort, each SOL
dier erect and appearing as If he felt
that the flags were intrusted 10 him
alone instead Of 10 the company Of
which he forms 70 small a part How
each man steps out TO the strains OF
the march, probably Sousas inspiring
STARS and Stripes Forever Down
past the officers quarters. the porches
OF which are filed with the wives,
daughters and sweethearts Of the Off
GERS parading, goes the escort.
The respect for the flag il not con-
fined to the wearers Of the army blue,
for AZ the escort passes each house
these true loyal women cease their
talk aud stand quietly I'LL the flag
passes, when the interesting discussion
Of the latest news il resumed Pact
group Of enlisted men not required 70
attend the parade marches the escort.
Each man stands "attention, and re.
moves his cap. a group Of small boys
at play is next passed. Every one
true soldiers son, stands, cap in hand,
till Old Glory bas passed. have
seen this small boy grow up, pass
through the "Point" and command obe
of the platoons in the escort after
graduation aud maybe in the same
company commanded by his father.
This march around the post has at last
brought the escort opposite the right
Of the line Of paraded troops. when
the colonel commands attention, aud
down the line passes the glitteriDg
guard.
On reaching point in the front Of
the center Of the paraded command
the escort forms line facing the regi-
ment, the two color sergeants march
ing TO the front till l2 PAGES in front
Of the colonel and his staff. Arms
are then presented to the asgs BY COM
mand Of the colonel, and while the
trumpeters again sound 80 the colOrs'
the flags are allowed to ay to the
breeze, the Iances are lowered in ac-
acknowledgement Of the present" " and
now the moment il one TO 6ll the soul
Of every lover Of his country with
thrill that u understandable. The silk
II. l.. H. -.