The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-06-29
lMPROvISED FLAGS.
yngenious Mackenzie Banners OF Our
Forefathers.

IngeniOus Makeshfft Banners OF Our
Forefathers.
In days when at the smallest occasion
for patriotic display myriads Of starry
flags FILL the air, from the beautiful broad
striped silken banner to the faglets wav
ing in tiny hands, we scarcely realize that
there was time when to possess an
American flag often required the exercise
of ingenuity and sacrifice.
In an orderly book of the Revolutionary
army. dated short time before the stars
were placed upon our striped banner, the
following entry is found: "The colonies
are desired to provide themselves with
some colors if they are to be procured. It
doth not signify of what sort they are."
The very first starry flag that waved
over a military action was hastily con-
structed at Fort Schuyler. The fort was
without flag when the enemy appeared,
and there was much hurrying to and fro
within the walls in search of the coveted
red, white and blue. Soldiers offered their
ammunition shirts of white linen to be
cut in stripes. There was no difficulty
about the red, for fine scarlet cloak of
that color that had been taken from the
stripes for the new flag. For the blue
there was much searching and stitching
together of small pieces, but the late after
noon sunlight gilded the flag, which,
completed in accordance with the pre-
scribed pattern. foated from the bastion.
In less than week five of the enemy's
colors were displayed beneath it, all taken
in successful sally from the fort.
The first star strewn banner shown in
California was also constructed from the
clothing of the persons who raised 1t, not
however, in token of possession nor for
warlike intent. Sent ashore at San Diego
for the curing of hides, they wearied of
the lonely life, barren of comforts and
social joy. Two gentlemen in charge of
the party seized upon the idea of construct
ing and mounting the national standard
in hope of calling the attention of some of
the distant ships, of which, at long inter.
walls, they caught a glimpse. In quick
response to their signal came the good
ship Washington, from the Sandwich Is
lands, sailing under the American colors.
Sympathy, good cheer and companionship
were obtained through the flag, but doubt
less none Of the party dreamed of the time
when in right of possession the Union
flag should gracefully WAVE over the Gold
en- Gate of California.
Undeterred by the fact that Humboldt
had tried it and pronounced 1t impossible,
q daring party Of army and navy officers,
soldiers and sailors, attempted the ascent
of Mount Orizaba. Three only Of the Al
who started reached the summit to behold
the wonderful panorama spread out for
their enjoyment. A flag, constructed the
evening before from the sailors shirts,
Midshipman Rogers contributing awhile
one to complete It, was planted by them
and left floating from the heights that had
been untrodden before by the foot Of man.
To bear our star spangied banner into
uhbroken viids, to mark with it1 cooqosst
and achievement, 70 grace With iss wsvtng
folds each hard won moral victory, has
been the joy OF the heroes OF our psst To-
those who are now gaining educatton be-
meath its protection belongs thu future. 4
May they devote themselves to the Gag
and plant II ever higher. -FoeWasd
d. -