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

Cameron the fact of my having brought
securely boxed up In the city of New York.
1t has never been delivered by me to any
one. though have frequently been most
earnestly importuned to do SO by the diff
ferent societies, commissions, associations,
&C.. &c, have ever allowed 1t to be I'M
| boxed for any occasion whatsoever. 1 feel
that no one can love. and fear that none
can guard and keep as carefully as do
this sacred relic, and it is my earnest wish
that when Fort Sumter shall. by Goo s
blessing. be again our own, l may be per-
mitted by the government. to there once
! more unfurl It, or. should / die before that
time, that it may be wrapped around my
body when 1t Is borne to its last resting
place."
Gen. Audersons wish to be allowed to
keep and guard" the flag was respected by
Secretary Stanton, and he was also en-
abled to unfurl 1t over Fort Sumter when
that stronghold was captured by the Union
forces. The records regarding the restora-
ton of the flag at Fort Sumter are par
ticularly interesting.
On the 9th of March, 1885, Secretary
Stanton, ''by order OF the President" is
sued general orders No so. as follows:
First. That at the hour of noon on the
14th day of April. 1885, Brevet Major Gem
eral Anderson will raise and plant upon the
ruins Of Fort Sumter, In Charleston harbor,
the same United States flag which foated
over the battlements Of that fort during the
rebel assault, and which was lowered and
saluted by him and the small force of his
command when the works were evacuated
on the 14th day Of April, 1861.
Second That the flag, when raised. be
saluted by 100 guns from Fort Sumter and
by national salute from every fort and
rebel battery that fired upon Fort Sumter.
Third That suitable ceremonies be had
upon the occasion, under the direction of
q
military operations compelled the rebels to
evacuate Charleston. or, in his absence, I'M
der the charge of Major General 0. A. Gill
more. commanding the department Among
the ceremonies will be the delivery of a
public address by the Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher.
Fourth. That the naval force at Charles
ton and their commander on that station
De invited to participate in the ceremonies
of the occasion"
In execution of this order Mai Gen. Gill
more more. commanding the Department of the
South, at Hilton Head, s. c. April 10 1895
1sued general orders as follows:
Friday next, the 14th instant, will be
the fourth anniversary of the capture of
Fort Sumter by the rebels. A betting
celebration on that day in honor of its re-
occupation by the national forces has been
ordered by the President, in pursuance of
which Brevet Maj. Gen. Robert Anderson.
United States army. will restore to it's
original place on the fort the Identical flag
which, after an honorable and gallant de-
fenSe, he was compelled to lower to the
insurgents of South Carolina in April. 1861
The ceremonies for the occasion will COM
mence with prayer at thirty minutes past
IL am. AT noon precisely the flag will be
raised and saluted with 100 guns from
Fort Sumter and with national salute
from Fort Moultrie and Battery Bee on
SulHvans Island: Fort Putnam, on Morris
Island, and Fort Johnson, on James, Island
1t being eminently appropriate that the
places which were so conspicuous in the
Inauguration of the rebellion should take
a part not less prominent in this national
rejoicing over the restoration of the ma
tional authority After the salutes the
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher will deliver an
address. The ceremonies will close with
prayer and a benediction.
Col. Stewart L. Woodford, chief of staff
under such verbal instructions as he may
receive, is hereby charged with the details
of the celebration, comprising all the ar
rangementS that it may be necessary to
make for the accommodation Of the orator
of the day and the comfort and safety of
the invited guests from the army and
navy and from civil life"
Referring to these stirring ceremonies,
Gen. Anderson wrote to Secretary Stanton
from Fort Monroe April IL 1865 as fol-
lows:
The duty assigned me by you has been
performed. The flag lowered at Fort Sum-
ter April IA, 1861, was. by Gods blessing.
restored to it's standard April IA, 1865.
Would to God you could have been pres
ent to witness the ceremony. Great Cod
what saddening crushing news meets u.s."
The exclamation of horror with which
Gen. Anderson's letter closed referred to
the assassina ton of President Lincoln,
which occurred on the night of the cele-
bration at Charleston. incident to the res
toration of the Union flag a. Fort Sumter.