The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-08

meQal is OF importance because repre-
sents some unknown history which has come to
light during the preparations for the celebra-
ton Of this anniversary. AS result of the in
vestigations Of John Spargo whose qualifications
as historian are indicated by the positions which
he holds, some Of the history Of the United States
nag may have to be rewritten According to the
popular belief, the first American flag, composed
of alternate red and white stripes and field of
blue with white stars upon it, to fly in the face of
the enemy, that which was raised over TT.
Schuyler on August 3, 1777. Historians generally
have accepted this fact, even though the evidence
was not absolutely conclusive. The researches of
Mr.. Spargo have developed the fact that the honor
claimed for Fit. Schuyler in reality belongs to
Remington.
In address vermont and the Stars and
Stripes in 1777' made before the Vermont Society
of the Sons of the American Revolution short
time ago he presented the results OF his investi-
cations which demolished the tradition of the rails
ing of Stars and Stripes flag at Ft., Schuyler at
least, so far as the stars in the blue field are
concerned In the Bennington Battle museum
visitors at the celebration this summer will see
the flag which was raised by Stark's forces, $50
years ago, which so far is now known, is the
oldest Stars and Stripes flag in existence and
which it is believed, result of Mr.. Spargo's
researches was the first flag of it's kind to fly in
the face of the enemy and therefore takes that
honor from the Fit Schuyler banner 1t is this
flag which is shown on the medal reproduced
above This flag is of unique design, the stripes
being in the reverse order that is the white stripe
on top. The stars are seven-pointed and ar
ranged in the form of Masonic arch.
This Bennington battle flag has romantic his
tory. 1t is believed to have been present at the
Battle of Saratoga and the surrender of Burgoyne
and eventually came into the possession of Ma
thaniel Fillmore. grandfather of Willard Fillmore
President OF the United States, who preserved it
and handed it down to his descendants For many
years it was in the possession of members of his
family who lived in Illinois, but eventually it was
turned over to the Bennington Battle Monument
and Historical association Among the names on
the victory wreath shown on the medal is that of
Fillmore, which stands for Nathaniel Fillmore
who preserved for posterity this historic relic.
Just as Mr.. Spargo. in connection with the plans
for the Bennington sesquicentennial has corrected
some of the erroneous ideas about the first Stars
and Stripes to be carried into battle it is appropri
ate that some popular misconceptions about the
battle itself be corrected In the first Mace the
battle itself not fought at Bennington in the
state of Vermont but at Walloomsac in the state
of New York. Bennington the Headquarters
of General Stark and so the battle has come down
to us named after that town. even though it was
fought six miles away. According to the popular
idea the victory was won by General Stark and
his Green Mountain Boys" thus implying that
Stark was Vermonter. lie was not He was a
native of Manchester New Hampshire and had
served with distinction colonel at the Battle
of Bunker Hill and under Washington at Trenton
and Princeton. He had resigned from the Con-
tnental army because he had been passed over in
the making of promotions and the people of New
Hampshire felt that he had been Disseminated
against because he was plain man of the people
When Burgoynes army captured Ticonderoga
in July, 1777, CONSERVATION spread throughout
Vermont and New Hampshire Vermont had but
short time previously declared it's independence
as state and it felt that the capture of "Old