Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 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 II stars instead of L.
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 much-frayed edges
and patches. The IL stars, arranged In
three parallel perpendicular rows, still stand out
stanchy on their unstable foundation, for the
blue field and the 10 red and white stripes have
grown patheticay threadbare.
The National museum contains collection Of
remnants of flags that participated In naval en-
gagements from the time of the Revolutionary war
to the with Mexico; also those OF foreign YES
sells of war captured by the navy during those
periods. This display of fragments is quite inter-
esting. IT collected by Peter Force of wash
ington, and presented by him to the library OF
congress. which transferred 1t to the National
museum
Among these remnants is piece of the Brit
fish flag of La Guerriere, used during her encoun-
ter with the Constitution and of the Java, worsed
by the same indomtabe American, well MS a
fragment of the flag of the Algerine brig Zoura,
captured under Decatur.
division of the museums flag collection re-
lates to the Civil war; and the most interesting
of these is the garrison flag of Fort Moultrie, In
Charleston harbor sSouth Carolina. This flag was
lowered December %, 1860 when Maj. Robert
Anderson, First United States artillery, moved
his forces to Fort Sumter. The flag 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 is the United
States flag raised In New Orleans by the volunteer
flag committee after the occupation in 1862 This
was the first Federal flag raised by citizens of any
of the Confederate states after the commence
ment Of hostllities. Here, too. is the flag of the
ftf,,n
of the surrender of the Confederate cruiser Ala
bama also the first United States flag raised in
Richmond after the surrender. This was used as
headquarters flag by Gen. E. o. G. Ord, U. S. 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 fleet, May II, 1S9S There is, too,
the flag lowered from the customhouse at the |
plaza. Ponce. Porto Rico, when 1t surrendered to |
the United States The yellow stripe In this flag |
was painted red to give 1t q chance to escape |
Identification. Another flag here taken from |
the trenches before Santiago. and still another Is
a guidon used by Spanish infantry at Porto Rico. |
The museum is also custodian of the pennant |
flown by Admiral Schley the Brooklyn during |
the battle of Santiago.
The United States Marine corps has number !
of flags of vital import 1t is proud of its tro-
phes and well it may be, for 1t the foremost |
In winning them. The Marine corps possesses the
first American flag under fire in Cuba This flag |
was raised by the Marine battalion at Guanta |
namo the tenth of June 1898, and flew during |
the hundred hours of continuous fighting by the |
marines at that point. After Its In this en-
yagement 1t was hauled down and sent to head
quarters at Washington
Another noteworthy flag belonging to the corps
IS the signal flag used by Sergeant Quick at the
battle of Cuzco. During the engagement the fleet |
in the bay. while firing on the enemy
vas seriously endangering the unseen marines on
and who already had the Spaniards surrounded
4 volunteer was requested to go out and signal
o the fleet to stop firing. Sergeant Quick Inn
responded and In full view of the
Enemy stood and wig-wagged the Dolphin to stop
iring. The signal flag rent in several places,
,ut the sergeant escaped injury. For this act he
ecelved medal and honorable mention.
Among some later flags to come into possession
Il the Marine corps is the large United States
lag used by the marines during the siege of the
egation in Picking at the time Of the Boxer riots
I may be recalled that the guard Of the Oregon
erved In Picking This their post flag and
vas planted on the Tartar city wall. where IL was
ealously guarded. Later II was hoisted on the
uins OF the Imperial Chen Men as a signal to
he allied forces. and II has the honor of being
he first signal the latter had that their friends
we're still living The flag shows its hard usage
t the hands of Its enemies. being torn in sew
raj places by volleys of shot and shell assail-
ng 1t.
Another Chinese memento possessed by the Ma
Inc corps Is q large imperial flag captured on the
rails of Tentsin by the marines when they at
acked the city. This Is large pehnant-shaped
fair of turkey red, with enigmatical Chinese
haracters In Its center