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

| perantendent Of the West Point Military
Academy, suggested that the nag with Gen.
Anderson's swords be cared for In Memorial
Hall at West Point. He said Gen. Ander-
envy and served there a long time as an
instructor. Mrs. Eba Anderson Lawton,
one OF Gen. Anderson's daughters, Joined
In the request that the flag be sent to West
Point"
y
On the same day Mr.. Larz Anderson Of
this city addressed letter to Secretary
Taft on the subject. He said that his
great aunt. Mrs. Robert Anderson, the
widow OF Gen. Anderson OF Fort Sumter,
expressed a desire before she died a short
time ago. ito return to the country the Fort
Sumter flag, which had been presented to
Gen. Anderson by the country many years
ago" The writer said his cousins, the
Misses Anderson, were anxious to act ac-
cording to this wish and desired to return
the flag to the War Department.
Misses Sophie c. Anderson and Maria L.
Anderson, daughters of Gen. Anderson, saw
the President and Secretary Taft personal
ly and correspondent with them on the sub
ject, with the result that the War De-
partment was finally chosen the proper
place for the safe keeping Of the flag.
March "a last Secretary Taft wrote
to Mr.. Larz Anderson saying that the
President suggested that he and the Misses
Anderson meet him Secretary TafD at
some convenient time to discuss the ques-
ton. There will, of course, be no objec-
ton" said he, ITO the flag being sent to
West Point, or If you prefer it. putting 1t
In the large room Of the War Department,
where there are many other valuable relics
Of the civil war, including the table upon
which the equalization at Appomattox was
signed
On the day Of the receipt Of this letter
the Misses Anderson replied to Secretary
Taft that there is no question as to the
point has already been settled by the Presi-
dent at our earnest request. They go to
the War Department. which Is perfectly
satisfactory to us"
a letter to the President. In which she said:
you, Mr.. President, have most kindly
and wisely decided the question for us at
our earnest request, and, as the executors
OF my mothers Will, we will ask that you
kindly see, as you suggested, that the flag
be cared for as 1t should be at the War
Department. Regretting to trouble you
with so many letters. Mr.. President, 1 re-
main, with heartfelt thanks" etc.
In another letter the Misses Anderson say
that this nag has only twice been out of
our possession since the year 1S63-once,
when 1t was placed on my fathers bier, at
loaned to Gen. Stuart Woodford for cele-
bration on the Fort Sumter anniversary,
when he himself came for 1t and brought
1t back to u.s."
H.
Anderson, in this city, March 25 last as
follows:
MY Dear Miss Anderson:
I am just in receipt Of your letter, from
which I understand that the President has
advised you to turn the Sumter flag of
your father over to the War Department
and that You acquiesce in the action of the
War Department in placing the flag in the
reception room Of the department with
suitable legend upon it, where the many
members of the public who visit the War
look upon this most interesting historical
relic. On behalf of the War Department
and the government beg to tender you and
your family grateful thanks for the return OF
this evidence of your fathers heroism,
which the department feels honored in be-
ing able to display to an interested public.
Very sincerely yours,
(SgneO WILLIAM H. TAFT,
Secretary of War;"
The official records regarding this par
ticular flag contain unusual marks of affec-
ton and patriotism. On the 18th of Sep
TENDER, 1868, Adjt. Gen. Townsend by direc-
ton of Secretary Stanton, called upon Gen
Robert Anderson (then a MAJOR for re-
port to the disposition of 1.-The United
States flag saluted at Fort Sumter and
hauled down by the United States garrison
at the surrender Of the fort in 1851
Two days later Gen. Anderson wrote to
Gen. Townsend that the flag was in his
possession. "On reaching Washington"
said Gen. Anderson, ION my return from
Charleston harbor, I mentioned to his ex-