Connecticut western news., 1918-07-04

and not spelled out. Thus brief and without comment Is the history we have of the edict which gave us "Old Glory"
 Honor for Fort Stanwix.
 The first flag constructed as mili- tary emblem, and carrying these heral die ideals, appears to have been con- structed in q rather unique manner. The first flag which was patterned after the resolution was adopted, and which saw actual fighting, must be credited to Fort Stanwix of New York. Newst of those days travelled slowly, and while the resolution was adopted by the continental congress on June 14, 1777, the improvised flag was not made until the latter part of July, and on the second day of August, .1777, it f1oated over the fort (Stanwix, later Fort Schuyler). Amid loudest cheers and military salutes it was emblaz- oned in the sky to remain the emblem of justice and liberty.
 But you ask: "What was there unique about it's construction? Well, when the news came that the continen- tai congress had finally decided upon a banner the fort was without proper flag, and it was too late to depend upon congress to get one fashioned.
 Problem for the Garrison.
 Immediately the ingenuity of the colonial or continental garrison ar ranged to improvise a standard as de- creed by congress. Henry B. Dawson of New York has left a description which had fallen into bis hands in 1867, and 1t came from one of the sol diers of that garrison, and though more than a century has elapsed the narrative Is ever new and deserves historic recognition. Through rela- tives of MT. Dawson am permitted to give the exact version of how this ear Tier military flag of stars and stripes was constructed.
 The soldier who was among the flag producers was Col. Marinus Willett, and his story Is in part supported by other members of the fort, as we'll as by, recently disclosed letter in England, in which the British soldier refers to a banner: "Over the Fort Stanwix built by us in 175S and named after the brave General Stanwix, they (the continentals) hoisted a flag of white and red stripes and on a can- ton of azure there were white stars"
 How the Flag Was Made.
 "But what of its unique construc- tion?" you ask. Well, the garrison de- cided to form the national standard, but being away from stores, clothshops or homes, and being hemmed in by the British, lthe task arose, how shall this emblem of unity be constructed? Here is where Colonel Willett's diary and narrative come to the surface with the facts, and read as follows: "The fort (Fort Stanwix) had never been supplied with a flag. The necessity of having one had, upon the arrival of the enemy, taxed the invention of the gar rison a little; and a decent one was soon contrived. The white stripes were cut out of an ammunition shirt !; the blue out of the camlet cloak taken from the enemy atPeekskill, while the red stripes were made of different pieces of stuff procured from one and another of the garrison"
 Another witness of the garrison states in his letter home that "the blue ground for the stars was com posed of a cloth cloak belonging to Capt. Abraham Swartwout of Dutch ess county" The captain, hence, wore the camlet cloak taken from the Brit ish at Peekskill battle.
 Victory Crowns Its Appearance.
 The first battle under the improvised American flag was great victory, and Col. Mariaus WiIlett was among those WhU .I l. La-t.-.J-Aa2G G-Gt c~p cd