Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-19
Why CoJors
Are Carried

This question has been asked time
and again by newly enlisted men.
Why is there so much solemnity
about ceremonies in which the colors
play the leading part?
Authorities tell us that it is most
probable that as soon as men began
to collect for common purposes
some kind of a conspicuous object
was used as the symbol of the COM
mon sentiment for the raIlying of the
common forces" The records that
we have from the beginning of civili-
cation confirm this view. In Egyp-
tian, Syrian or Jewish history the
story is the same-the ensign had its
place and its purpose. So with the
Persians, the Greeks and the Romans.
Sometimes the ensign took one form,
sometimes another, but always it was
felt that there was need of con-
spicuous object to rally and inspire
CoIors Not Modern
In the song Of Solomon (Chap. 6,
verse 10) there is a reference to regi-
mental colors which is very frequent
~ quoted and is as follows: Ger
rlble as an army with banners, ,"
showing that the regimental stand
ards served purpose for they made
for the cohesion of the army.
There is q service in symbolism
1t is service that has entered large
ly into the calculations of great mill
tary commanders. Honors that are
bestowed, whose symbols in field
service are little strips of ribbon of
no intrinsic value, are prizes that the
soldier covets, He would brave the
supreme sacrifice for the ribbon that
would tell of his valor, and it is not
all vanity. 1t has a reflex that en-
tiers largely into the soldiers reckon
ing. The fact that he once dared to
die, as the ribbon proclaimed, would
spur him on. to nobler effort: would
transform his weakness into strength
If ever his courage faltered. The
decoration, the ribbon or the medal
Or both-minister to and reward
the individual.
The symbolism of the colors is
larger by far and its influence is of
the highest Importance with regard
to the morale of the troops.
In the olden days of more primitive
warfare, commanding generals often
seized the colors and rallied their
troops about them. The Archduke
Charles, at Aspern in 1909, led his
untrled troops to their last assault
Wh1le carrying the colors in his own
hands. In the first battle of Bull
Hum, General Joseph Johnston, with
raw troops that were facing democrat
1Zation, rallied his men about him by
taking the colors himself. In the
battle OF Prague, Marshal Schwerin
went to his death bearing the colorg.
American Colors at the Front
The modern practice for a time
was to leave the coIors behind so as
to reduce visibility This dates from
the battle Of Isandhlwana in 1879
when two gallant young lieutenants
met their death protecting the colors.
But, in the Russo-Japanese war both
armies often went into action with
their colors because of the influence
of the National emblem on the troops,
and any one who has read closely the
record of the great European conflict
in which America is now partici-
pating-knoWs of the frenzy of ioy
that swept over Paris when cap
tured standards were exhibited. Re
Gently an American artillery regi-
ment sent its colors to the main ad-
vance lines and asked a French Of
flcer to certify in pen and ink on
the colors themselves the fact that
they had been at the front. The sig
nature of this French officer and his
certitication is trophy for which
every American expeditionary unit
strove, The influence of the baptized
colors will be tremendous.
In olden times, the regimental col
ors bore the arms of the Knight OF
Lord who claimed the devotion of the
individual soldier. No such knight
or temporal Lord claims the devotion
of American troops and the regi-
mental colors bear the National Coat
of-Arms and the designation of the
regiment
The Infantry was the first to re-
place it's standard with the col=rs.
for the Cavalry was much later still
commanded by the nobleman, or the
man of gentle birth, who claimed the
fealty of the individual soldier. The
Infantry was the first to serve the
IaP0nr CLAW II