The times., 1898-06-12
saIutInElthe Flag.

I
Soldiers of all nations love the flag un-
der whose folds they fight and those Of
the United States are far from lacking in
patriotism and reverence for O,d Glory.
In times past, however, this devotion has
only manifested itself on the field of bat
tie or on shpboard under the enemy's
guns, when almost no end of daring deeds
have been doneffe save the colors from
capture or dishonor.
Away from he-smoke of battle the flag
received no special homage, save the fir
| ing of the sunset and sunrise guns. Now,
thanks to the ceremonies devised by
Capt. William r. Hamilton of the Sew
enth Artillery, Unitd States Army, the
flag is treated with proper military rever-
ence; it is not dropped, as If shot away
from the staff, but comes down with
graceful dignity.
While different regimental commanders
had devised different ways of honoring
the flag, 1t was not until recently that
the Army regulations, following the sug-
gestions of Capt Hamilton, laid down a
law upon the subject. The following is
the ceremonious manner in which at re
treat the flag is lowered at an Army
post:
The entire garrison is paraded near the
flag while the trumpets play retreat AS
the last notes die away and while the
deep boom of the retreat gun awakes the
echoes, the flag halyards are cast loose
and the immense garrison flag IS pulled
slowly and gracefully down the tapering
staff, its red and white stripes huttering
in the breeze as If keeping time to that
grand old air, the Star Spangled Ban
ner," which the band is playing in its
highest style. A detail of the waiting
guard catch it as ii nears the ground
| They carefully fold it up, after which
| they convey 1t TO the guardhouse where
| it Is kept for safety during the night
During this entire ceremony the garrison,
under arms, stand rigidIy at the present
the highest form of salute-while all
others stand reverently uncovered.
When not in use in the field the regi-
mental colors stand, under charge of a
sentry, in rack in front of the quarters
of the commanding officer, and every SOL
dier salutes them as he passes, civilians
| being required 10 raise their hats While
they are being carried to and from the
drill field the sentries before whose posts
they are borne salute them, and every
man who passes them either raises his
hat or gives a formal salute.
While Gen. Charles King was colonel Of
the Wisconsin Guard he instituted a very
pleasing custom which is followed bv
regimental parade the officers retire and
stand in a group at one side of the pa
rade ground
In tho meantime the color sergeant
marches across the parade ground to the
| front, wheels and faces the command
while the sergeant major breaks the regi-
ment into column companies, marches
them in review TO the colors, each col
umn saluting the flag as ii would its gem
eral.
An incident that shows the growing de-
yotion TO our national colors occurred re-
Gently at Camp Douglass. AS the parade
of the Fourth was being dismissed the
| strength Of the color sergeant who was Ill
that evening, suddenly failed him as ne
was carrying the colurs to the front, and
he fell fainting to the ground. Before his
fall was noticed a soldier on his left drop
ped his gun, seized the flag, and without
as much as a glance at the fallen color
bearer, carried itistraight across the pa
rade ground, while the regiment leaving
| the sergeant to the hospital bearers,
marched calmly away in review.
The Navy does not yield a point 10 the
Army in honoring the flag, and It's con-
slant association with foreign ships and
ports makes il even more familiar than
the Army with ceremonies Of respect.
( When a squadron Of warsh.ps lies at
anchor the retreat is sounded on the
flagship, and every man rises 10 his feet
as the flag at the staff on the quarter
rail Is lowered. and facing the flag. raises
his hat and stands uncovered until il is
down. similar ceremony is observed
while ships are AZ sea.