, 1917-06-28
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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 ID.
Had this flag had an 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 worn patches. The IL stars, arranged In
three parallel perpendicular rows, still stand out
stanchIg 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 wal
to the war 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 was 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 a piece of the Brit
ish flag of La Guerrero, used during her encoun'
ter with the Constitution, and of the Java. worsted
by the same indomitable American. as well as 6
fragment of the flag of the Algerine brig Zoura
captured under Decatur.
A 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. ir
Charleston harbor, South Carolina. This flag wa
lowered December %, 1860, when Nal. Robert
Andersun, 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. Thi:
was the first Federal flag raised by citizens of an!
of the Confederate states after the commence
ment Of hostilities. Here, too, is the flag Of the
United States ship Kearsarge. in use at the tint
of the surrender of the Confederate cruiser Ala
bama. also the first United States flag raised fl
Richmond after the surrender. This was used a
headquarters flag by Gen. E. o. G. Ord, q. 8. A.
when he took possession of the city.
The history of our war with Spain is illus
trated at the National museum by a series of flag
of picturesque interest. There is here the Spanish
garrison flag used at Fort San Cristobal. Sal
Juan. Porto Rico, during the entire war, ant
foated over the fort during the bombardment b.
the American fleet, May -, 1898. There is, too
the flag lowered from the at tn
plaza. Ponce. Porto Rico, when 1t surrendered Il
the United States. The yellow stripe in this fla
was painted red to give 1t a chance to escap
identification. Another flag here was taken from
the trenches before Santiago. and still another 4
a guidon used by Spanish infantry at Porto Rice
The museum is also custodian of the pennan
flown by Admiral Schley on the Brooklyn durinl
the battle of Santiago.
The United States Marine corps has a numbe
of flags of vital import. 1t is proud of its to
phies, and well 1t may be, for 1t was the foremos
in winning them. The Marine corps possesses tn
first American flag under fire in Cuba. This fai
was raised by the Marine battalion at Guanta
namo, the tenth of June, 1898, and flew durini
the hundred hours of continuous fighting by tn
marines at that point. After It's use in this en-
gagement It was hauled down and sent to head
quarters at Washington.
Another noteworthy flag belonging to the corp
Is the signal flag used by Sergeant Quick at tn
battle of Cuzco. During the engagement the fee
stationed in the bay, while firing on the enemy
was seriously endangering the unseen marines oil
land, who already had the Spaniards surrounded
A volunteer was requested to go out and sigma
to the fleet to stop firing. Sergeant Quick i'm
mediately responded, and In full view of tn
enemy stood and wig-wagged the Dolphin to stol
firing. The signal flag was rent in several places
but the sergeant escaped Injury. For this act b.
received a medal and honorable mention.
Among some later flags to come into possession
of the Marine corps Is the large United State
flag used by the marines during the siege Of tn
legation in Picking at the time of the Boxer riots
II may be recalled that the guard of the Oregon
served in Picking. This was their post flag AM
was planted on the Tartar city wall, where It wa
tealously guarded. Later 1t was hoisted on tn
ruins of the Imperial Chen Men as a signal {
the allied forces. and 1t hns the honor of beln
the first signal the latter had that their friend
were still living. The flag shows its hard usag
at the hands Of its enemies, being torn in sew
eral places by volleys of shot and shell assail
Ing 1t.
Another Chinese memento possessed by the Ia
rine corps is a large imperial flag captured on tn
walls of Tientsin by the marines when they al
tackled the city. This is a large pennant-shape,
affair of turkey red, with enIgmatical Chimes
araaf In tie panfar