Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-07

Probably no single relic Of the civil war
is Of more historic interest than the bullet
SCARED flag chat was lowered at Fort Sum-
ter in the harbor OF Charleston at the time
Of It's surrender, April IA. 1851. and was
raised over the ruins Of that fort on its re-
capture by the Union forces four years
later. The firing on that flag marked the
beginning Of actual hostilities between the
north, and the south. Since then. with a
few notable exceptions, the flag had been
sacredly guarded in seclusion by Gen. An
derson and his family until few days ago.
when 1t was placed on public view at the
War Department.
Owing to the fact that the flag is tattered
and torn almost out of semblance to its
original form and beauty, 1t has been found
necessary to fold. 1t up carefully and tie it
with bands. Enough is displayed, however,
TO snow the stars and stripes and leave no
doubt as to its sacred character. It has
been placed in strong mahogany case.
having glass frort. specially made for its
reception, by direction of Secretary Taft, and
occupies prominent place high on the wall
entrance. Electric lights have been arranged
SO as to display 1t in case the sunlight
should fall to do so. This case is about
twenty-five feet long and about three feet
hlgh and harmonizes both as to appearance
and position with smaller case containing
uhe nag that was wrapped around the cas-
ket containing the body of the lamented
c d,ncS ON w when It was removed from this
Is placed on the south wall Of the reception
room over the mantel
me case containing the Sumter flag was
paced IN position Friday. April IA. last
Wnicn, Dy remarkable coincidence was
the forth-fourth anniversary of the dav the
nag was lowered in gloom at Fort Cumter
ana the fortieth anniversary of the day It
was raised IN triumph over the ramparts
OF that fortress
me legend of the flag prepared by Chief
Clerk Schofield Is as follows:
This garrison flag fioated over the bat
Elements OF Fort Sumter. Charleston Har-
Dor, 5. C., commanded by Maj. Robert An
derson. LIST United States Artillery. during
the bombardment of the fort from April -
to April ID, 1861, by the batteries Of the
provisional army, Confederate States of
america. commanded by Brig. Gen. g. T.
beauregard. During the bombardment it
was once shot away, but was Immediately
raised by Sergt Peter Hart, LIST United
States Artillery. Upon the evacuation of
the the Fort, Sunday afternoon. April IA. 1861.
with fifty guns and finally lowered
BY direction Of the President of the
United States, at the hour of noon ON the
18th day of April, 1865. Brevet Maj. Gen
Anderson raised the same garrison flag
and planted 1t upon the ruins Of Fort Sum-
ter, when it was saluted by 100 guns by
a national salute from every fort and bat
terry fired upon Fort Sumter, the Grafton
Deing delivered by the Rev H. Ward
Beecher.
The flag Is now deposited In the War
department by Misses Sophie c. and Maria
l.. Anderson, daughters Of the late Gen.
Anderson"
The recent correspondence regarding the
0P
teresting character. The selection of the
War Department as the place for it's care
Roosevelt after consultation and CORE
interested.
The correspondence began with a letter
written by Miss Sophia G. Anderson of
1927 10th street under date of March 10,
1906, to President Roosevelt as follows:
Dear MIR. President:
In my mothers will she says:
q desire that the dear old Sumter flags
be given back to the country their proper
custodian, when l am no more.
I'VE, her children, remembering her
great confidence in your judgment, her I'M
bounded admiration of your character and
her conviction that you always did and
said the right thing, venture now to ask
what your Interpretation Of this wish is.
Where shall we place these f1agS-to her
so precious-which have been in our keep
ing, given to my father by the govern
ment on his return from Fort Sumter in
1861?
Trusting that you will pardon my trou-
bling you and appreciate my motive for
doing so, 1 remain,
SOPHIA c. ANDERSON"
On the 23d of March last Gen. Mills. su-