The Colorado statesman., 1917-06-30
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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 10.
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 worn patches. The - stars, arranged In
three parallel perpendicular rows, still stand out
stanchy their unstable foundation. for the
blue field and the 13 red and white stripes nave
grown patheticay 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 war captured by the navy during those
periods This display of fragments Is quite inter-
esting. 1t was collected by Peter Force of WASH
ington, ald 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 Guerrere, used during her encoun-
ter with the Constitution, and of the Java, worsted
by the same indomitable American, as well as
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
If these is the garrison flag of Fort Moultrie IN
Charleston harbor, South Carolina rms nag was
lowered December 26 1860. when Mai 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
cd 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 1867 This
was the first Federal flag raised by citizens OF any
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 tlme
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. @. Ord, U. 5. A.
when he took possession Of the city
The history of with Spain is Illus
trated at the National museum by a 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
f1oated over the fort during the bombardment by
the American fleet, May r. 1898. 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 chance to escape
Identification Another flag here was taken from
the trenches before Santiago. and still another Is
n 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 number
of flags of vital import. 1t is proud of its tro-
phies and well 1t may be, for 1t was the foremost
in winning them. The Marine corps possesses the
first American flag under fire in Cuba. This flag
was raised by Marine battalion at Guanta-
namo the tenth of June. $685. and flew during
the hundred hours of continuous fighting by the
marines at that point. After Its use In this en-
gapement Il 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
stationed In the bay, while firing the enemy,
was seriously endangerng the unseen marines on
land who already had the Spaniards surrounded.
volunteer was requested to go out and signal
to the fleet to stop firing. Sergeant Quick i'm
mediately responded, and in full view of the
enemy stood and wigwagged the Dolphin to stop
firing. The signal flag was rent in several places,
but the sergeant escaped injury. For this act he
received a medal and honorable mention.
Among some later flags to come into possession
of the Marine corps is the large United States
flag used by the marines during the siege of the
legation in Picking the time of the Boxer riots.
1t may be recalled that the guard of the Oregon
served I'm Peking. This their post flag and
was planted on the Tartar city wall where 1t was
iealousy guarded. Later 1t hoisted onS the
ruins of the Imperial Chen Men as signal to
the allied forces and 1t has the honor of being
the first signal the latter had that their friends
were still living. The flag shows its hard usage
at the hands of It's enemies, being torn in
eral places by volleys of shot and shell assail-
ing 1t.
Another Chinese memento possessed by the Ma
rine corps is large imperial flag captured on the
walls of Tientsin by the marines when they at
tackled the city This is large pennantshaped
affair of turkey red, with enigmaticnl Chinese
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