Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-07-06
lMPROVISED FLAGS.
Ingenious Makeshift Banners of Our
FOrefnthers.

Forefnthers.
In days when at the smallest occasion
for patriotic display myrads of starry
flags fill the air, from the beautiful broad
striped slken banner TO tho flaglcts wav-
ing in tiny hands, we scarcely realize that
there was a time when to possess an
American flag often required the exercise
Of ingenuity and sacrifice.
In an orderly book of the Revolutionary
army. dated a short time before the stars
were placed upon our striped banner, the
following entry is found "Thc colonies
are desired to provide themselves with
some colors il they are to be procured. 1t
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 n 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
enemy was, with much delight devoted TO
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, hoatcd fpom the bastion
In less than week five OF the enemy $
colors were displayed beneath it, all taken
in a successful sally from the fort.
The first star strewn banner shown in
California wgS a lso from tho
clothing Of the persons who raised it, not,
however, in token of possession nor for
warlike intent. Sent ashore at San Diego
for the curing Of hides, they wearicd 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, Mt long inter
walls, they caught 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 tho party dreamed of the time
when in right of possession the Union
flag should gracefully wave over the Gold
en- Gate of California.
I'ndeterrcd by the fact that Humboldt
had tried it and pronounced it impossible
a daring party Of army and navy officers
soldiers and sailors attempted the ascent
of Mount Orizaha. Three only of the 4 |
who stared reached the summit to behold
the wonderful panorama spread out for
their enjoyment, A flag, constructed the
evening before from the sailors shirts
Mdshipman 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 spanglcd banner into
unbroken wilds, to mark with it conquest
and achievement, TO grace with its waving
folds each hard won moral victory, has
! been the JOY Of the heroes of our past. To
those who are now gaining education be-
meath its protection belongs the future
May they devote themselves to the flag
and plant it ever higher Forward.