The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1917-06-29
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first American flag that came into existence after
the enactment Of congress AS evidence Of the
theory they point to the u stars instead OF IL.
Had this flag had official predecessor the mis-
take In the number Of stars would hardly have
occurred.
This historic standard, kept intact by long and
loving care shows Its age In muchfrayed edges
and patches. The 12 stars, arranged In
three parallel perpendicular rows, still stand out
stanchIy on their unstable foundation, for the
blue field and the IS red and white stripes have
grown pathetically threadbare.
The National museum contains a collection OF
remnants Of flags that participated in naval en-
gagements from the time OF the Revolutionary war
to the war with Mexico also those of foreign YES
sells Of captured by the navy during those
per1ods This display of fragments is quite inter
esting. 1t was collected by Peter Force Of Wash.
ington and presented by him to the library Of
congress, which transferred II to the National
museum
Among these remnants is a piece Of the Brit
ish flag Of La Guerriere, used during her encoun-
ter with the Constitution and OF the Java worsted
by the same indomitable American. well as a
fragment Of the flag Of the Alger1ne brig Zoura,
captured under Decatur.
A division Of the museums flag collection re-
lates to the Civil and the most interesting
Of these IL the garrison flag Of Fort Moultre, in
Charleston harbor, South Carolina. This nag was
lowered December 20, $780, when Maj. Robert
Anderson. First United States artillery, moved
his forces to Fort Sumter The nag was secured
by his second in command. Capt. Abner Double
day and remained in his possession until present
ed to the Smithsonian institution at Washington.
In the National museum also u the United
States nag raised in New Orleans by the volunteer
nag committee after the occupation in 1852. This
the first Federal nag raised by citizens Of any
Of the Confederate states after the commence
ment Of hostilities. Here too, is the nag Of the
United States ship Kearsarge, In use at the time
Of the surrender Of the Confederate cruiser Ala
bama. also the nrst United States nag raised in
Richmond after the surrender This was used a.
headquarters nag by Gen. E. o. c. Ord. o. g. A.,
when he took possession Of the city.
The history of our war with Spain Is illus
trated at the National museum by series Of flags
Of picturesque interest There is here the Spanish
garrison flag used at Fort San Cristobal. San
Juan, Porto Rico during the entire war. and
foated the fort during the bombardment By
the American feet, May IL, 1893. There is, too.
the nag lowered from the customhouse at the
plaza, Ponce. Porto Rico, when 1t surrendered to
the United States The yellow stripe in this nag
was painted red to give 1t chance to escape
Identification Another flag here taken from
the trenches before Santiago. and stil another 10
a guidon used by Spanish infantry at Porto Rico.
The museum is also custodian Of the pennant
flown by Admiral Schley on the Brooklyn during
the battle Of Santiago.
The United States Marine corps has a number
Of flags OF vital import. It IL proud Of its tro-
phies, and well 1t may be- for 1t was the foremost
in winning them. The Marine corps possesses the
nrst American nag under fire in Cuba. This nag
was raised by the Marine battalion at 0uanta-
namo, the tenth Of June, 1893. and few during
the hundred hours Of continuous fighting by the
marines at that point After its use In this en-
gagement II was hauled down and sent to head
quarters at Washington.
Another noteworthy flag belonging to the CORPS
is the signal nag used by Sergeant Quick at the
battle Of Cuzco. During the engagement the feet
stationed in the bay while firing on the enemy
seriously endansering the unseen marines on
land, who already had the Spaniards surrounded
volunteer was requested to 60 out and signal
to the fleet to stop firing. Sergeant Quick i'm
mediately responded. and in full view Of the
enemy stood and wigwagsed the Dolphin to stop
firing The signal nag was rent in several placssI
but the sergeant escaped injury. For this act he
received a medal and honorable mention.
Among some later nags to come into possession
Of the Marine corps is the large United States
nag used by the marines during the Siege Of the
legation in Peking at the time Of the Boxer riots
It may be recalled that the guard Of the Oregon
served in Peh1ng. This was their post nag and
was planted on the Tartar city wall. where II was
jealousy guarded. Later It was hoisted the
ruins Of the Imperial Chen Men signal to
the allied forces and It has the honor of being
the first signal the latter had that their friends
were still living Tho nag shows its hard usage
at the hands of its enemies, being torn in ~
sral places BY volleys Of shot and shell assail
ing 1t.
Another Chinese memento possessed BY the Ma.
rine CORPS II q large imperial nag captured the
tackled the city. This 10 large pennant.shaped
affair Of turkey red, With enigmatical Chimes
characters IN its centef.