LIBRARY OF CONGRE: 027 211 252 ( OUR FLAG ITS HISTORY AND WHAT IT STANDS FOR By ELIZABETH M. BOWRON (MRS. HENRY S.) iUBRARYof ' CONFESS j \ wo Copies HkCw .-.-.. APK 14 1908 yoyyngf«i entry ->* Co df /' V COPRIGHT 1908 BY Elizabeth M. Bowron DEDICATED TO Jfflr*. Bonalb ffltHtan President-General of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution Contents! DEDICATION . . . . .11 ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE AMERI- CAN FLAG . . . .13 Pine Tree Shilling . . . , 16 New England Colors . . . .16 Merchant Flag of the Colonies . . 17 Flag With Sphere . . . .17 The Taunton Flag . . . . 18 Bedford Militia . . . . .18 New York Merchant Flag ... 20 White Plains Militia . . . .20 Cavalry Flag of White Plains ... 20 Markoe Banner . . . . .21 Flag of Morgan's Rifle Corps . . . 21 Rhode Island . . . . .22 Culpeper Flag .... 22 South Carolina Palmetto . . .22 Col. Moultrie's Flag .... 23 Serpent Flag . . . . .24 New England Pine Tree ... 24 Liberty Tree Flag . . . .25 Flag of the Continental Navy ... 25 The Rattlesnake Flag . . . .25 [8] New England Flag .... 27 Pine Tree Naval Flag . . . .28 Cambridge Flag .... 29 Banner of the Washington Life Guards . . 30 First American Flag .... 33 Flag Sent by D. A. R. . . . 38 Flag of Seventh Regiment ... 39 First Flag of American Expansion . . .40 Flag of the Chesapeake ... 43 Flag of March 24th, 1818 . . .43 The Revenue Flag .... 44 Sewing the Forty-sixth Star on the Flag . . 47 The Cuban Flag .... 48 Peace Flag . . . 50 Presentation of Holland Peace Flag . . 51 Flag of Eutaw Springs . . . .58 Continental Memorial Hall ... 60 OUR FLAG ®etricatton In the completed work brought to-day to our Presi- dent-General, Mrs. Donald McLean, I wish to acknow- ledge first my debt to her splendid patriotism, to which, whatsoever there is of merit in the subject, is due, while I have received encouragement from President Roosevelt, Rear Admiral Sigsbee, Captain Hobson, Col. Philip Read, 23rd U. S. Infantry; Dr. Roberts S. Freedman, and many others, without Mrs. McLean as an incentive the work would not have been accomplished. It has been peculiarly interesting to me from my strong and ardent belief that the History of the Flag must appeal to the masses and bring the reverence which is its due as a result. If the mind can vividly recall the stories ^of self-sacri- fice on the part of men, women and children, loyalty to this dearly bought treasure must result, if loyalty is given, honor will follow, and as a result the flag will only be presented where honor is due, for remember — while it is true, there are members of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, in every State of [12] the Union — the fact remains, only the descendants of those forming the thirteen original States, are eligible to membership in the Society. Be true to your inheritance, be loyal, be honest, to all that is good and true, if you are loyal you must be honest, dishonor and loyalty, or dis- loyalty and honor are not possible, as we look at the blue of the heavens above and see the thousands of bright eyes watching, waiting, to receive the new lives which are enter- ing the "Land of the Leal" may each and every one of us a descendant of a man or woman who aided in forming that mystic circle of thirteen look straight back into those eyes, and say "I have given my best service to the flag and country which gave me birth." In Mrs. Donald McLean, President-General of the Society, who has given her best to the flag and her coun- try, we have a standard bearer, world renowned for her eloquence. All honor is her due and the highest honor, the guardianship of the flag, is hers. To her it is brought to-day by a worthy messenger, called from the clouds, to carj*y it to the prototype of all that was noble and true in our great General, George Washington, on the day sacred to his memory. ©rigtn anb ©ebelopment of tfje American jf lag THE BIRTH OF THE FLAG. "When Freedom from her mountain height Unfurled her standard to the air, She tore the azure robe of night, And set the stars of glory there. She mingled with its gorgeous dyes, The milky baldric of the skies, And striped its pure celestial white, With streakings of the morning light." BETSY ROSS SHOWING THE FLAG. "Flag of the free heart's only home, By angel hands to valor given, Thy stars have lit the welkin dome And all thy hues were born in heaven." — Drake. "Our Heaven born flag," inspired by eternal hope, loyal to our motto "Right makes might," on some star- [14] lit night, gazing on the eternal blue and through it to the morning to come, General George Washington, who is given credit of the design for our first flag, saw the dawn of freedom, then turned to a woman, who reverently made and placed in the hands of men our "Ensign of Liberty." The need of the hour and time inspired each change, mak- ing in its growth a thing of beauty, To-day, as then, a masterpiece, teaching us unselfishness, devotion to the wel- fare of others, lofty ideals and sacrifice of self, if need be. EAGLE WITH FLAG. Its guardian; the Washington Eagle has been the emblem of the United States since 1785. It was so named by Audubon, the naturalist, because Washington was as brave as an eagle and, like it, the terror of his enemies. "Oh! That Eagle of Freedom! Age dims not his eye; He has seen Earth's mortality spring, bloom and die; He has seen the strong nations rise, flourish and fall; He mocks at Time's changes, he triumphs o'er all; He has seen our own land with wild forests o'erspread, He sees it with joy and sunshine on its head. [15] And his presence will bless, this his own chosen clime, Til the Archangel's fiat is set upon time." — Unknown. MAYFLOWER UNDER SAIL WITH PENNANT That this story may be rightly understood, in mem- ory go back to the shores of Massachusetts — looking sea- ward there is the Mayflower, her pennant flying as she ap- proaches her haven of rest, November 9th, 1620, after a boisterous voyage of 63 days. From the Harbor of Cape Cod, the shallop was sent out to find a more hospitable place of landing. After many hardships, on Monday, the 21st of December, the exploring party of the forefathers landed at Plymouth. LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS.' History states "the landing was made under the pro- tection of the King's colors," — that protection, which in a few years became the yoke of bondage. The colors of James First were tho'se under which Jamestown was settled in 1607. [i6] MEMORIAL OF THE LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS. (Stained Glass Window). The site of this landing place of the first English- speaking settlement to REALLY colonize this country is marked with a memorial. From this time new colonies were heard of, and in 1643 the Confederation of New England Colonies formed. In 1652 Jamestown surrend- ered to the Commissioners of the Commonwealth. This same year a mint was established and the "Pine Tree" was first heard of as the emblem of Massachusetts. PINE TREE SHILLING. The "Pine Tree Shilling" is best known, though other coins were used. The mint continued in operation until 1684. NEW ENGLAND COLORS. In 1686 "New England Colors" are mentioned; they were used under Sir Edmund Andros; the field was white with the Cross of St. George, a Crown in the center of the Cross, with "J. R.," Jacobus Rex. [ 17 1 MERCHANT FLAG OF THE COLONIES (1709). The Merchant Flag of the Colonies (1709) showed a blue ground with Cross of St. George and St. Andrew. One peculiarity noticed is a shield in the centre of the crosses. Special devices and designs in the form of banners were often in evidence, but the first distinctive flag was the flag with a sphere in the union. The field was red, the union the flag of 1686 — with a sphere in the upper corner next the staff. FLAG WITH SPHERE (1735). It was used as early as 1735. While the colonists were gathering under standards, restlessness — the outcome of oppression — was increasing, and finally resulted in the burning of a British armed schooner in 1772. BURNING OF THE GASPEE. She was called the Gaspee, and appeared in Narra- gansett Bay in March, her duty being to prevent infraction [i8] of revenue laws. She interfered with the free navigation of the bay, and the exasperated people, hearing the Gaspee was aground on Nanquitmon (afterwards Gaspee Point), on the 9th of June, 1772, under the general command of Captain Whipple, after a skirmish, set fire to "her, and at dawn she blew up. THE TAUNTON FLAG. In 1774 Massachusetts began the struggle for liberty, and a flag was used known as the "Taunton Liberty Flag." It had a red field with the words "Liberty and Union." The union was the flag of 1709. To Lexington (April 19th, 1775) is an easy transition if one recalls the various methods in which the different colonies expressed openly by symbol and in speech the desire to rule their own destinies. BEDFORD MILITIA (Concord Flag). So we follow the Concord flag— white ground, show- ing arm with hand holding dagger— carried by the Bedford militia across the bridge, and remember on that day, April [i9] 19th, 1775, the life of the first British soldier (sent by the mother country to oppress a people claiming freedom as a right) was sacrificed, and the first step towards the "union" which gave birth to our flag was taken. MINUTE MEN (Lexington). As these "farmer soldiers" followed their flag that day the British drum and fife cheered them on with "Yan- kee Doodle." The New York Journal, October 13th, 1768, speaks of it as a British air, which was often played just outside the church doors in Boston. After Lexington the tune was adopted by the Americans as their own. It had been the prelude. It became also the postlude of the Revolution and fulfilled the claim to the translation from the Greek, "iankle doule" — "let the enslaved rejoice." This one of many claims of origin made by the Greek scholar Athenaeus, seems the most appropriate . Before proceeding with the history of the flag, it may be interesting to note some of the different standards or flags adopted by the colonies or states, and carried by the regiments or on vessels before a National Flag was estab- lished. [20] NEW YORK MERCHANT FLAG. The ships sailing from New York in 1775 and 1776 displayed a flag, a beaver, the seal of New Netherlands, on a white field. WHITE PLAINS MILITIA. The White Plains Militia, New York, carried a flag. The red and white stripes were part of the New Nether- lands flag. The union, the English flag of 1686. CAVALRY FLAG OF WHITE PLAINS. The flag of the White Plains Cavalry bore the usual motto, "Liberty or Death." The "Liberty Cap," adopted from the British, was blue with a white border or bottom. It originated with the Romans, who placed it on the heads of slaves to show they were freed. COURT HOUSE AT WHITE PLAINS. In front of the Court House, at White Plains, New York, was read the Declaration of Independence, July 9, 1776, which made New York a State. It is called the "Birthplace of New York State." I 21 ] The Court House was afterward destroyed by fire, but the site may soon be suitably marked with some of the original stone. MARKOE BANNER (Perm.). "The Markoe Banner," as it is called, was used by Captain Markoe, of the Philadelphia Light Horse Troop. It had a canton of thirteen stripes red and white, white field with device and motto, "For This .We Strive." This Light Horse Troop adopted the Liberty Cap in 1775. They served as an escort to General Washington from Philadelphia to New York in 1775. FLAG OF MORGAN'S RIFLE CORPS (New Jersey). When the War of the Revolution broke out, Daniel Morgan, a native of New Jersey, joined the army under Washington at Cambridge and commanded a corps of riflemen, which adopted a flag, with name of corps and regiment. He accompanied Arnold to Quebec and was made a prisoner there, After his exchange he was ap- pointed to the command of the Eleventh Virginia Regi- ment, in which was incorporated his rifle corps. [22] RHODE ISLAND (Hope Flag). Rhode Island was the only colony to really, distin- guish itself by designing an original flag. It was called the "Hope Flag" and first introduced the stars, thirteen in a blue union, white field with blue anchor. CULPEPER FLAG (Virginia). Patrick Henry, appointed by the Virginia Convention, July 18th, 1775, summoned corps of volunteers from various parts of the colony. One-third were Culpeper men, who adopted a flag, white field with the significant device of a coiled rattlesnake. They dressed in green hunting shirts with Henry's words of "Liberty or Death" in large white letters on their bosoms. SOUTH CAROLINA PALMETTO FLAG. South Carolina had three flags, one, known as the "Palmetto Flag," had a serpent coiled at the base of a palmetto tree. The best known of the three is that known as "Colo- nel Moultrie's Flag," used in the defence of Fort Sulli- van, now Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's Island, in Charles- [*3l town Harbor. Colonel, afterwards General Moultrie, in his memoirs says : "As there was no national flag at the time, 1775,J was desired by the Council of Safety, Sep- tember 13th, to have one made, upon which, as the troops (South Carolina) were clothed in blue, and the fort was garrisoned by the first and second regiments, who wore a silver crescent in the front of their caps. COL. MOULTRIE'S FLAG. I had a large blue flag made with a crescent in the dexter comer to be in uniform with the troops." It bore the word "Liberty" in white letters. This was the first American Flag displayed in the South. On June 30th, 1776, three days after the battle of Fort Moultrie, Mrs. Susanna Elliott presented Col. Moul- trie's Regiment (Second South Carolina) with a pair of elegant colors. One of them was of fine blue silk, the other red, richly embroidered. DEATH OF SERGEANT JASPER. During the siege of Savannah, October 9th, 1779, seeing his associates, who had rescued the colors, fall, [2 4 ] Sergeant Jasper sprang forward, secured them and had just fastened them upon the parapet when he fell, pierced by a rifle ball. He expired soon afterwards. Just before he died he said to Major Horry, "Tell Mrs. Elliott I lost my life supporting the colors she presented to our regi- ment.' ' Surely this is a message from the flag to the women of the country. SERPENT FLAG (South Carolina). The "Serpent Flag" of South Carolina had thirteen stripes, alternate blue and red, a rattlesnake and motto, "Don't Tread on Me." It will be observed from the constant use of thirteen stripes in the flags and thirteen stars in the Rhode Island Flag, the full number of colonies were always included. NEW ENGLAND PINE TREE. The New England Pine Tree Flag differed from the Massachusetts Flag adopted as a Naval Flag, mentioned later. It had a red field, the Pine Tree occupied the entire union, which was white. [25 1 LIBERTY TREE FLAG. 'The Liberty Tree Flag" was the outcome of the many meetings held under the "Liberty Tree" by an association called the Sons of Liberty during the summer of 1765. It was the rallying place of the patriots from 1774 on. Was inscribed the "Liberty Tree," and the Hag, a white field with blue border, showing the tree, was used by the men of Boston. FLAG OF THE CONTINENTAL NAVY (Yellow, coiled snake) . The usual motto, "Don't Tread On Me," appears on a flag with yellow field and coiled rattlesnake, which was originally designed and presented by Col. Christo- pher Gadsden, of South Carolina, a member of the Ma- rine Committee, to Congress on February 8th, 1776, as a standard "to be used by the Commander-in-Chief of the American Navy." Commodore Esek Hopkins held this rank in the Navy and is said to be the first naval com- mander to use it. THE RATTLESNAKE FLAG. The famous "Rattlesnake Flag" consisted of thirteen [26] red and white stripes with the motto "Don't Tread On Me," and a snake stretched from corner to corner. It was used by different organizations of the American Army during the Revolution, but particularly by the vessels of the American Navy as early as 1775. It has been called the "Paul Jones Flag" and was displayed with the Pine Tree Naval Flag. It was the first ensign ever shown by a regular American man-of-war, and was raised on board the Alfred in the Delaware, December, 1775, by the hands of John Paul Jones, Esek Hopkins's First Lieutenant. While the colonists were gathering under these stan- dards, on April 22d the Provincial Congress of Massa- chusetts had been summoned, an account of affairs drawn up and sent to England, with the declaration that tyran- nical rule would no longer be submitted to. June 15, 1775, the Continental Congress at Philadelphia unani- mously appointed George Washington, of Virginia, to be General and Commander-in-Chief of the armies raised for the maintenance of American Liberty. Before Wash- ington could reach his army the Battle of Bunker Hill had been fought and the siege of Boston begun. The [2?] first redoubt over which a flag floated was on Breed's Hill, June 17th, 1775. It was called the New England Flag. It is now known as the "Bunker Hill Flag." It had a blue field, the union the flag of 1686, with a pine tree in place of the sphere of 1735. NEW ENGLAND FLAG (Bunker Hill Flag). It bore an invitation to the British Army to "Come On If You Dare." The invitation was accepted and the War for Independence was formally begun. BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. The story of the battle is too well known to be re- peated. The flag displayed on Bunker Hill was undoubt- edly blue. It has been described as red. The confusion probably arose from the fact that while Putnam com- manded on Prospect Hill, a crimson flag bearing on one side the motto "Appeal to Heaven," on the other "Qui Transtulit Sustinet"— "He who transplanted will sustain us"— was presented him and unfurled on the 18th of July ensuing. [28 ELM WHERE WASHINGTON TOOK COMMAND OF HIS TROOPS. Under the elm known as the Washington Elm, Cam- bridge, Mass., on the 4th of July, Washington's commis- sion was read in the presence of a detachment of the army and the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts when he took command. These events prepared the way for united action ; therefore, in this year the first record of a desire for some settled form of naval standard is found, "that our vessels may know each other/' General Washington was ap- pealed to and he, with two officers about to command cruisers, in October, 1775, selected the "Pine Tree Flag/' a white field with a pine tree in the center and the motto "An Appeal to Heaven." PINE TREE NAVAL FLAG. It was used from 1775 to 1787. Colonel Joseph Reed, military secretary to General Washington, is said to have suggested its use. According to a portrait of Esek Hopkins, published in London in 1776, the words "Liberty Tree" were at the top, and at the bottom "Ap- [2 9 ] peal to God." In the request for the naval flag was heard the first call for union. The colonies, as stated, had colors or banners. Now the army needed a visible sign. "The Flag of the Union" was the result, and is known as the "Cambridge Flag." CAMBRIDGE FLAG. The first flag of the "United Colonies" was flung to the breeze before General Washington's headquarters at Cambridge, January 1st, 1776, a brief glance at its history tells us. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS AT CAM-" BRIDGE (Flag). In the latter part of 1775 Dr. Franklin, with Messrs. Lynch and Harrison, were appointed to consider the sub- ject of a National Flag. England was still the acknowl- edged sovereign, but the thirteen colonies intended to unite to defend their rights, therefore the King's Colors, or "Union Jack" (1709), was united with the thirteen alternate red and white "rebellious stripes," as England called them, representing the colonies. John Paul Jones [30] was the first naval officer to display this flag of America. He hoisted it with his own hands on his vessel, the Alfred. A flag of peculiar interest came into existence about this time, and was called the "Banner of Washington Life Guards." It had a white field with device and motto "Conquer or Die." BANNER OF THE WASHINGTON LIFE GUARDS. The Guard was a corps of superior men attached jto the person of the Commander-in-Chief. All the States which supplied troops to the Continental Army were rep- resented. It was organized in 1776 while the American Army was encamped on Manhattan Island, near New York City. The uniform was a blue coat with white facings, white waistcoat and breeches, black half gaiters, a cocked hat with white and blue feather and sword and cross belt. During the winter, 1779-80, the Guard was increased to 250. It was reduced soon after to its original number, 180. On December 23d, 1783, it was mustered out of service on Constitution Island, opposite West Point, New York. [3i] Before recounting the next important step in our history, the Declaration of American Independence, brief mention must be made of one or two important events. CARPENTER'S HALL (Philadelphia). On Monday, September 5, 1774, fifty-four delegates, from twelve colonies, assembled in Carpenter's Hall. Patrick Henry made the first speech in this first Ameri- can Congress, where a Declaration of ColoniaJ Rights was adopted, which formed the basis of an American Association. A Declaration of Independence, formulated at Char- lotte, capital of Mecklenberg County, North Carolina, antedated our famous "Declaration" by a year. A con- vention of patriots assembled at Charlotte May 3 1st, 1775, and by a series of resolutions virtually declared themselves independent of the British Crown. SIGNING OF THE "DECLARATION OF INDE- PENDENCE/' In signing the Declaration of Independence the United States of America became a nation July 4th, 1776. [32] The thirteen original States are: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Georgia. Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, It was signed in Independence Hall, Philadelphia. INDEPENDENCE HALL. "This is the hallowed spot where first unfurling Fair Freedom spread her blazing scroll of light, Here from oppression's throne the tyrant hurling, She stood supreme in majesty and might. "Here stood the Patriot, one union folding The Eastern, Northern, Southern sage and seer, Within that living bond which, truth upholding, Proclaims each man his fellow's peer. "Here rose the anthem which all nations hearing, In loud response the echoes backward hurled; Reverberating still the ceaseless cheering, Our continent repeats it to the world." — George W. Dewey. [331 Independence Hall is cherished by the people of Pennsylvania and by the people of the whole Union as the most revered relic of the war for independence, be- cause it contains the hall where that Declaration of Inde- pendence was discussed, adopted in council, signed and sent forth to the world. An old legend tells us "A new star is born for each new life, and a star falls for a life departed." SPIRIT OF LIBERTY. The spirit of liberty drew aside the curtain of night and the symbols of a new life appeared in a constellation — each star a sparkling gem, resting on the everlasting blue, the symbol of loyalty, sincerity and love; the red of the old time daring and valor united with the white light of truth, purity of purpose and thought — and the new nation, uplifted by visions of the future, sent a new ensign aloft. FIRST AMERICAN FLAG. Its birthday was June 14th, 1777. Every year that rolls by sees that birthday more universally observed, the [34] realization of its importance more generally felt and more reverence shown. May the time come when every Amer- ican citizen will feel a pride in displaying our national emblem on Flag Day. The history of the making of the first flag will not be out of place here, though probably known to most of us. General Washington accompanied by Robert Morris and Colonel Ross, called upon Mrs. John Ross. MRS. JOHN ROSS '(Mrs. Betsy). She was a widow who kept an upholsterer's shop at 239 Arch street, Philadelphia. She was engaged to make a flag from a pencil draw- ing modified for her by General Washington. She sug- gested changing the star from the English rule of six points to that of the French five points. The change was made, and our first official flag was made — the basis of our present flag, of which Henry Ward Beecher said : "It is a whole national history. It is the constitution. It is the government. It is the free people that stand in [35] the government on the constitution. It expresses Divine right of liberty in man." SITE OF FORT STANWIX (Rome, N. Y.). At Fort Stanwix, Rome, New York, between August 3d and 6th, 1777, the Stars and Stripes were first un- furled in battle in Willett's famous sortie. The flag is de- scribed in Willett's narrative as "being made from white ammunition shirts for the white stripes, from a camlet cloak from the enemy at Peekskill for the blue, and from different pieces of stuff procured from one and another of the garrison for red stripes." The site has been recently carefully surveyed and marked by cannon placed near the four bastions. Bronze tablets, placed there by the descendants of many of the heroes of Oriskany, mark the gun carriages. From the shop and the farm and the forum, From the cabin, the cot and the hall, From the emigrant's camp in the forest, They mustered at Liberty's call. Gave, unstinting, their blood and their treasure For manhood, and justice, and right, Undismayed amid darkness and treason, Fighting on into freedom and light. [36] And here, on the site of Fort Stanwix, Where "Old Glory" was first unfurled, Is the vow of their "Daughters' " devotion To the bonniest flag of the world. —Fort Stanwix D. A. R. RAISING FLAG IN THE NORTWESTERN PART OF NEW YORK STATE. As soon as the flags could be made or purchased, the towns raised them with fitting ceremonies. A painting of a flag-raising in the northwestern part of New York State is in the "Flower" mansion at Watertown, N. Y. MONUMENT AT COOCH'S BRIDGE, DELAWARE. It seems well established that the Stars and Stripes were carried at the Battle of the Brandywine, September 11th, 1777. The claim that it was first unfurled at the affair of Cooch's Bridge in Delaware, September 3d, has been commemorated by a monument. HEADQUARTERS AT VALLEY FORGE. During the winter of 1777, General Washington es- [371 tablished headquarters at Valley Forge. The sufferings of that band of patriots will never be fully known. That through it all they remained true to their flag and country is for us to remember. FIGHT BETWEEN THE BON HOMME RICHARD AND THE SERAPIS . September 22d, 1778, occurred the Battle between the Bon Homme Richard, Captain John Paul Jones, com- manding, and the Serapis, Captain Pearson in command. It is the spirit displayed by John Paul Jones that makes it a part of the history of the flag. When asked by Captain Pearson if he struck his colors, he answered, "I have not begun to fight.' ' A few hours after Pearson struck his colors with his own hands. The Spirit of the Flag's true message spoke and led to victory. It was first saluted by a foreign power at Quiberon Bay, France. The ship "Ranger" bearing the Stars and Stripes, commanded by Captain John Paul Jones, ar- rived at a French port, February 14th, 1778, and received from Admiral La Motte, who represented the French Gov- ernment, the first salute ever paid the flag by foreign naval vessels. [38] OWMlfflHTOIIIIIIIIIIfl IB III »iHIMfiy«fUM«iflli^^ JOHN PAUL JONES. For years the last resting place of this hero who so many times carried the flag to victory remained un- known. To Gen. Horace Porter belongs the honor of discovering the burial place and to Rear Admiral Sigsbee the honor of bringing to this country the casket contain- ing the remains. FLAG SENT BY D. A. R. It was the tender thought of Mrs. Donald McLean, President General of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, that sent the flag from women to cover the casket with the colors he so many times sent aloft. CASKET AS CARRIED ON BOARD. Covered with the Flag and flowers, the casket was carried on board the Brooklyn, Rear Admiral Sigsbee commanding, July 6th, 1905. CASKET AS IT MADE THE JOURNEY. Covered with the flag it made the journey from Cherbourg to this country. It was transferred to the Naval Academy, Annapolis, July 24th, 1905. 39] The flag has been returned to the Society D. A. R., where it will be cared for as a priceless treasure. Principal events only can receive brief mention. The first American Flag is mentioned as used in celebrating the first anniversary of American Independence, July 4th, at Philadelphia, and at Charleston, South Carolina. The Evacuation of Boston, March 17th, 1776, was the be- ginning of the end. The end was the complete surrender at Yorktown. SURRENDER AT YORKTOWN. There to the tune of "Yankee Doodle" the American troops drew up in line to receive the colors from the British Captains in command of twenty-eight regiments. "Let the enslaved/' who are now free, "rejoice with thanksgiving," as the standards are handed to Ensign Wilson, eighteen years of age, the youngest commis- sioned officer in the army, who received them from the British officers, and handed them to the American ser- geants. FLAG OF SEVENTH REGIMENT, BRITISH. The most beautiful of the surrendered flags was the [40] Flag of the 7th Regiment, British. On the garter it bears a French motto, which translated reads: "Evil to him who evil thinks." From 1776 until 1791 the same American flag served. Then a new star claimed recog- nition. March, 1791, Vermont was admitted. Kentucky, June, 1792. In consequence a bill was framed to alter the flag. This bill was approved January 13th, 1794. As "an act making alteration in the flag of the United States," it provided that after May 1st, 1795, the flag of the United States be fifteen stripes, alternate red and white, and the union be fifteen stars, white in a blue field. FIRST FLAG OF AMERICAN EXPANSION. This first flag of American expansion was used in the War of 1812, and until April 13th, 1818. A few of the flags of this period had the stars arranged so as to form one large star. FRANCIS SCOTT KEY. To Francis Scott Key, a Maryland lawyer, we owe the inspired words of the "Star Spangled Banner." Held all night in a Flag of Truce vessel, he watched the bom- [41] bardment of Fort McHenry, September 13th, 1814. On the morning of the 14th the words were written. FORT McHENRY. In his joy on seeing the flag of his country safe, he described the scene as he actually saw it. The flag that Key saw on Fort McHenry had "broad stripes," forty feet long. The "bright" stars were each two feet from point to point. KEY'S GRAVE. In a modest grave the man whose memory is en- shrined in the hearts of American people was laid. A simple stone his only monument, until the Key Associa- tion was incorporated, August, 1894, in order to erect a suitable memorial. KEY'S MONUMENT. On August 9th, 1898, was unveiled a fitting monu- ment to the writer of the greatest American anthem. One of the most beautiful tributes to his memory was paid by [42] a distinguished woman, who was born in Frederick — KEY'S MONUMENT, SEAL OF THE ASSOCIATION. 'The Key Monument Association" adopted a seal, and through its exertions an enduring tribute was reared. If the patriotic emotion prompting the words of our National anthem could find a responsive chord in the heart of every American citizen to-day, there would be a universal flag law, needing no act of Congress to en- force it. The law of love, reverence and respect would guard it night and day, reaching from the Aleutian Islands (part of Alaska), where, guarding our possessions far westward, it is seen "at the twilight's last gleaming," and at the same time at Eastport, Maine, "it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam." Our flag on which the sun never sets! CAPTAIN JAMES LAWRENCE. The words of Captain James Lawrence, "don't give up the ship," as he fell mortally wounded, have awakened renewed interest in this naval fight of 1812— as through U3] the press it has been announced a fragment of the flag from the Chesapeake, captured by the British in 1813, is to be sold. FLAG OF THE CHESAPEAKE. The relic seems authentic enough to be quoted in connection with this history, and the sincere hope ex- pressed, it may be returned to this country. The flag of 1812, though made famous, could not remain unchanged in the rapidly growing nation. Again new states claimed their birthright; Tennessee, 1796; Ohio, 1802; Louisiana, 1816, and Mississippi, 1817. A law was enacted principally through the exertion of the Hon. Peter Wendover, of New York. Congress ruled to return to the thirteen stripes rep- resenting the original states under whose valor American Independence was gained, and that "every state admitted to the Union shall be represented by a star in the union of the flag." FLAG OF MARCH 24TH, 1818. On April 4th, 1818, when the new law went into U4] effect, our present flag was established with twenty stars in the Union. The new flag was hoisted over the House of Representatives, April 13th, 1818, though the law pro- vided that the act was not to take effect until July 4th. This law, providing for the addition of a new star on the Fourth of July next succeeding the admission of a new State, is yet in force. Once more the hands of women carried out the de- sign, arid the flag was made in New York City by Mrs. S. C. Reid, assisted by other ladies, under the direction of her husband, Captain Reid, who was commander of the privateer, General Armstrong. The present author- ized arrangement of the stars in the union was finally settled by an order of President Monroe through the Navy Board, dated September lSth, 1818. THE REVENUE FLAG. March 2nd, 1799, an act of Congress created the Revenue Flag. It consisted of sixteen stripes, representing the number of states admitted to the Union — the union of the ensign bearing the arms of the United States in dark blue on a white field. No change has been made since. [45] OUR FLAG GOES BY. Our Flag goes by. Hats off! Along the street there comes A blare of bugles a ruffle of drums, A flash of color beneath. the sky; Hats off! The flag is passing by. Blue and crimson and white it shines, Over the steel tipped ordered lines, Hats off! The colors before us fly; But more than the flag is passing by. Sea fights and land fights, grim and great, Fought to make and to save the State ; Weary marches and sinking ships; Cheers of victory on dying lips. Days of plenty and days of peace; March of a strong land's swift increase; Equal justice, right and law; Stately honor and reverent awe; [46] Sign of a nation, great and strong, To ward her people from foreign wrong; Pride, and glory, and honor, all Live in the colors, to stand or fall — Hats off! Along the street here comes A blare of trumpets, a ruffle of drums; And loyal hearts are beating high — Hats off! The flag is passing by. — H. H. Bennett. The first flag made of American bunting was raised over the capitol at Washington, February 24th, 1866. It was the gift of Hon. Benjamin F. Butler, of Massa- chusetts. Many times hearts have thrilled at the sight of "Old Glory," as it was lovingly called by Stephen Driver, of Massachusetts. As a sea captain he made a solemn vow to defend "Old Glory," if need be with his life. The first State to add a star after the act of April 4th, 1818, was Illinois, in December of that year. Twenty-four stars have been added since then — not [47] one star has ever fallen from its place. 1908 will see the forty-sixth star placed. SEWING THE FORTY-SIXTH STAR ON THE FLAG. If represents the State of Oklahoma (embracing Oklahoma and Indian Territories) which entered the Union as a State on November 15th, 1907. Oklahoma is a Comanche Indian word, signifying the "land of the fair god." May this star as it is placed keep fair the name which is its birthright. With the birth of this State another chapter closes in the history of the "red brother." The Indian has no longer a claim to the soil, so long known as the "Indian Territories." LAST OF THE MOHEGANS. There is almost a look of pathos on the face of this mighty chief, a type of the race once sovereign in this country. What would be his thoughts could he behold the present chief in the costume of civilization ? INDIAN CHIEF OF PRESENT. How is this new chapter to end ? The wards of the nation for the good of the nation are passing on. [48] The flag means progress. In our early history the struggle with foreign oppression, and the cruelty of savage warfare, went hand in hand. The price of peace is war against bondage and inhumanity. Liberty ever the watchword, controlled by the motto "right makes might," passed on from generation to genera- tion, has three times made the United States one of the combatants in war. With England 1812-15 — principally a naval conflict, before alluded to. Many British vessels were captured. Not once was our flag lowered in surrender. With Mexico, 1846-48 — a new State," Texas, asked for her star in the Union, though practically free. Mex- ico considered the granting of the request a declaration of war. The United States acquired at the close Cali- fornia and New Mexico. THE CUBAN FLAG (Own). Our latest interference, nine years ago, was to re- lieve the oppressed people who fought under the Cuban Flag against Spanish oppression. On April 21st, 1898, Secretary Long, United States [49] Navy, cabled to Admiral Dewey, in command of the Pa- cific Squadron, to capture or destroy the fleet in the har- bor of Manila. Under the Stars and Stripes the order was obeyed. PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT AS LIEUTENANT- COLONEL. Our President has been associated in the minds of the people as Lieut.-Col. of the "Rough Riders." It is particularly pleasing to note his photograph, as Lieuten- ant-Colonel, was autographed for this particular history. With Col. Wood he led the "Rough Riders" at La Guasi- mas, Friday, June 24th. July 3rd, the investing 5th Army Corps raised above its trenches the National and Regimental Colors. July 17th, at Santiago at 12 o'clock noon, the Spanish colors were lowered in surrender to our flag. October 18th, 1898, our flag was raised on the Palace at Ponce, Porto Rico. The suffering of the troops before and after the war are too recent to need more than brief mention. Women all over the country came to the rescue. Who [So] shall tell of the hundreds of lives sacrificed, that justice and humanity might prevail? The horrors of warfare roused the nation and again sounded the call for peace, and it is believed a new flag, the "Peace Flag," has found a permanent place. PEACE FLAG. A brief history of the Peace movement is here given. In Independence Hall, Philadelphia, October 12th, 1891, 399 years after the discovery of America — a meeting of representatives from the Pan-American Republics was held, to consider a plan by which peace for all nations might be secured. Mrs. Gillespie, a granddaughter of Benjamin Franklin, wished to interest the women of the counry in forming "The United States of the World." Mr. McDowell, who was interested in the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, suggested the women should create some sign of peace. Mr. Henry Petit, an artist, was asked to make a de- sign for an international emblem of peace. In present- ing his report, he alluded to the love each country had for its own colors, therefore proposed each nation should use [5i] its own colors, surrounded by a white border. The idea was immediately accepted. The first Peace Flag made was by the Women's Silk Weavers' Society of Philadelphia, who selected co- coons, reared them, spun and dyed the silk, and made the flag, the Union had thirteen gilt stars, as in the Betsy Ross flag. Two of the largest flags were of bunting, and were gifts from the American Lyceum, paid for by collections made by the "Youth's Companion," of Boston. One of these flags, at Navesink, received all the navies of the world. It was first saluted under command of Captain Schley. The second flag went to the Columbian Exposition, Chicago. It remained on its staff until blown to atoms. Flags from the United States and Great Britain have been given to the permanent court of arbitration at The Hague. One to the Parliament of England, one to the Parlia- ment of Holland. PRESENTATION OF HOLLAND PEACE FLAG. It was used this year, 1908, to open Parliament, by the Queen of Holland. [52] One presented to the American Congress; one to Baron de Constans, of the French Senate; one is in the hands of the United States Congress, for presentation to Germany. Two flags were given by Miss Rachel Higgens, of An- sonia, in the name of the children of America to Miss Marguerite de Constans. CHILD WITH FLAG. Mary E. Wilkins (Mrs. Freeman), the writer, has, through her conception of the mind of a child, sent on its way through quaint little Rebecca, this message of peace from our stars. To the boys of the nation it is given as a trust to carry on : "For it's your star, my star, all the stars together, That makes our country's flag so proud To float in the bright fall weather. Northern stars, Southern stars, .stars of the East and West, Side by side they lie at peace, On the dear flag's mother's breast." [S3] Captain Richmond Pearson Hobson, in a message from the Peace Congress in New York to the Daughters of the American Revolution, April, 1907, speaking of our flag, said: "I know that ever}' one here before me agrees and will teach others, and they will teach genera- tions to come, that while Americans live, they will never allow any flag under heaven made by the hand of man to go above our Stars and Stripes as long as they con- tinue to wave for human liberty * * * My Countrywom- en, all the color in that flag, rich and warm, stands for sympathy with the oppressed and suffering sons of men over all the earth. And the stars — have you ever looked at them closely? I sometimes wish that every American could see those stars when the smoke and thunder are in the air, or perhaps could see them in a foreign land. They glitter, they sparkle, they twinkle, as if they knew that the glorious constellation they form has been set by God Himself in the very vault of the firmament to lighten the night of the darkened world.' ' At the conclusion of Captain Hobson's address, the President-General, Mrs. McLean, appointed a committee to present a copy of resolutions to the Peace Congress [54] assembled in New York City; also to present Mr. Andrew Carnegie with the Great Peace Flag. PEACE FLAG WITH RESOLUTIONS. The address of Captain Hobson was made and the resolutions adopted in Continental Memorial Hall, Wash- ington, D. C. This building had been offered by the President-General for the use of the Peace Envoys from Russia and Japan. Just recently a change in the present flag has been urged. If such a change is necessary, may the order of the stars be left unchanged and the white border added and the "Peace Flag" be the new flag of the nation, sent on its mission by the efforts of women. Gen. George Washington saw the first flag as a vision, and in its real- ization our Nation stands for Peace. PEACE ALLEGORY. The angel of peace stands ready to sound the deep- toned note of Concord to be heard around the world, and thus through the work of women the "bow of prom- ise" seen in the skies may find its fulfillment in "Peace for all Nations." [55 1 Sometime previous to the resolutions alluded to, the New York City Chapter, D. A. R., had presented Dr. Maxwell for the Department of Education with Peace Flags, which are on exhibition in the Department. These facts serve to show the interest of this body of women in the movement for peace. From Hampton Roads — on its voyage of discovery in the interests of peace — sailed on December 12th, 1907, sixteen battleships under the command of Admiral Evans. FLEET UNDER SAIL. To the women is left the sacred charge of keeping the names of the absent ones in loving memory. Mothers will trace for their children the course of the fleet until — HOMEWARD BOUND. Homeward bound is flashed along the line, and lov- ing women see the vision of their loved ones as in a look- ing glass. Thirty-one States and three Territories have a "flag law," making it a misdemeanor, punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both, to place any picture or inscrip- [56] tion on the flag of the country. There is a bill before Congress to make a law to that effect. Look up to your country's flag — remember the poor wounded soldier who held the staff between his teeth and the folds of his flag in one hand above his head, while he crawled to shelter dragging his wounded limb after him. When rescued, he looked at the surgeon as he sank into unconsciousness and said : "I have but done my duty. The old flag never touched the ground." Do your best for your 'own star, each and every one, and "The star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave." The descendents of the first colonists welcomed to these shores all desiring the privilege of freedom. Col- onists from practically every country have found pro- tection under the American flag. Under these circum- stances it has become a necessity to teach the principles which it represents — loyalty to, and respect for, it can only come with this knowledge. MRS. DONALD McLEAN. To Mrs. Donald McLean, the coming generation will [571 owe much of this knowledge. Born in the old ancestral home at Frederick, Maryland, love of flag and country were hers by birthright. BIRTHPLACE. When it seemed necessary for the women to unite to teach patriotism, she entered as a charter member the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revo- lution, of which she is now the President General. Her special work has been, and is, the inculcation 06 American principles, adjuring the women of the country to carry on the message from the Flag. From hundred^ of places visited, where addresses have been made, for the purpose in mind, the most public occasions, where illustrations have been obtainable, have been selected. The quotations from addresses are in Mrs. McLean's own words. From Charlestown, South Carolina, where the "Flag of Eutaw Springs" is cherished, she brings a message to the young girls and women. [5«] FLAG OF EUTAW SPRINGS. A young hero of the American Revolution was called on to protect his country. It was only his country — he had no flag. A young Southern girl tore a piece of red brocade from the back of a chair, crushed it into his arms, and said; "Raise this upon your flagstaff, and caryy it into the battle as the heart's blood of the women of your country back of you." The Battle of Eutaw Springs was one of the most desperate. The hero has passed on. That flag, the gift of a woman, has been preserved, and I say to you for his sake, and for the sake of all the men who upheld and protected flags made by women's hands, that you uphold the hands of the men who are worthy in turn to uphold the flag. From the Music Hall, Flag Day, June 14th, 1901, the flag encouraged the men and women to live for it, and die for it if need be. And here, while the flag was floating in his honor, September 8th, 1901, President McKinley laid down his life. Six years passed — then the message to return to pay a tribute to this martyr President was received. [59] Mckinley monument, buffalo, n. y. On September 6th, 1907, in the presence of a vast multitude, as the flag glided slowly downward, Mrs. Mc- Lean closed her eloquent address with these words: "Re- member not only the heroes who made you a nation, but him who helped nobly to preserve it. Come, women of all lands and climes, bring here the constant tribute of devoted and hallowed memory of the man who made of marriage in his high, pure love — his holy grail. Rise, soating shaft, in monolithic beauty, in gleaming whiteness, in ever-ascending aspiration, and may per- perpetual light shine upon you." The flag used is one of the largest ever made, and as it was made for this particular purpose, has been chris- tened the "McKinley Flag" — adding one more historical flag to the group. In Washington, our National Capitol, a tribute to all the heroic deeds of the men, women and children of the thirteen original States, is being erected. It is named "Continental Memorial Hall." [6o] CONTINENTAL MEMORIAL HALL. From each State where a descendant is located is sent the quota to represent its interests. When com- pleted, an exact copy of the flag made by Betsy Ross will float from the staff. It is to be the gift of the Betsy Ross Chapter of Pennsylvania. "O, Blessed Flag! Sign of our precious past, Triumphant present, and our future vast, Beyond starred blue and bars of sunset bright, Lead us to higher realms of equal right ! Float on, in every allegory, Kin to the eagle and wind and light — Our hallowed, eloquent, beloved "Old Glory!" Selected. / APR 14 5908 6 027 211 252