The history below is from an 1899 lithograph by L. Prang & Co. Boston. It is comprised of two parts, “Origin” and “History.” It is far too long to reprint here, so all I can offer are a couple items I found interesting.
In the photo with this article, below the eagle, you will see George Washington’s coat of arms, “Stars and Stripes.” You will also notice the Stars and Stripes are prominent in other Washington seals. This is the birth of our flag. We now approach our 250th. What will you do?
“ORIGIN
“We are indebted to a patriotic English gentleman, Edward W. Tuffley, Esq., of Northampton, England, for the most reliable and authentic history of the origin of our Stars and Stripes, who discovered our National Emblem to have been designed from the coat of arms of the Washington family.
“In the church at Brington, England, which is the parish church for Althrop, the ancestors of the Spencer family lie buried. In this church is a memorial brass plate of the Washingtons, which shows the arms of the family to have been the Stars and Stripes.
“In the chancel is a monument to Lawrence Washington, which has a brass plate dated 1564, bearing the Stars and Stripes.
“At Solgrave, also, is found further evidence that the Stars and Stripes originated in the armorial bearings of the Father of our Country.
“In the old Manor House, Northamptonshire, where George Washington’s ancestors resided, the stone porch or entrance still remains as in olden time. On the front archway is to be seen the oldest record in existence of the Stars and Stripes. Half way up the arch, travelling from its spring are two stone shields, dated A.D. 1540. The one on the left is broken, but that on the right is still perfect, and has carved on it the same design as in the churches at Solgrave and Brington.”
“HISTORY
“Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, of Lowell, Mass., was the first person to introduce the manufacture of American bunting into this country, and on Feb. 21, 1866, he presented to the United States Senate the first real, genuine American bunting flag, and on Feb. 24 this flag was unfurled for the first time, over the United States Senate Chamber.
“All government flags since 1866 are made exclusively from bunting manufactured from American products and labor.
“The following ceremony for saluting the Stars and Stripes in the army and navy are prescribed by the United States Army and Navy Regulations, and are strictly observed.
“The National Salute is determined by the number of States composing the Union, at the rate of one gun for each State. It is fired at noon on July 4, at every post provided with artillery.
“The salute of a national flag is twenty-one guns.
“The salute to the national or regimental colors passing a guard or other armed body in the army is trumpets sounding and the drums beating a march.
“Officers and enlisted men passing the colors give the prescribed salute, whether with or without arms or uniforms.
“The salute for all officers and men, when not under arms, is the same in both the army and navy, and is raising the extended right hand to the forehead, palm downward.
“The morning gun is fired when the flag is hoisted at ‘reveille,’ and the evening gun when the flag is lowered at ‘retreat.’
“In the navy, ‘every officer or man, upon reaching the quarter-deck, or upon leaving it to go over the side, salute the national ensign. This salute is returned by the officers of the watch, at hand.’
“The following ceremonies are observed ‘at Colors’ on board ships in commission: –
“At ‘Morning Colors,’ 8 a.m., the field music and band give three rolls and three flourishes. At the third roll the ensign is started from the deck and hoisted slowly to the peak or truck, during which time the band will play ‘The Star Spangled Banner.’
“When the ensign leaves the deck, or rail, all sentries will salute, and remain at salute until the band ceases to play the national air. All officers and men present will stand facing the ensign, and salute when it reaches the peak or truck.
“The same ceremonies will be observed at sunset, or ‘Evening Colors,’ except that the music will give three rolls and three flourishes before the ensign leaves the peak or truck, and all officers and men will salute when the ensign touches the deck.
“The American Patriotic Salute to the flag – ‘We give our heads and our hearts to God and our country; one country, one language, one flag’ – was introduced into the public schools in 1891 by Col. Geo. T. Balch, a retired United States army officer.
“Christening the Stars and Stripes ‘Old Glory,’ by the Union soldiers of 1861-65, can only be traced to a sentiment and overflow of spontaneous inspiration that filled the hearts and soul with a supreme love and reverence for the flag. ‘Old Glory’ was a consecrated name applied to the flag by the soldiers, because of its endearing relations and sacred associations. Emerging from the terrible carnage of fire and smoke of four years of civil conflict, its galaxy brightened and strengthened by the experience of war, it was made thrice holy by its baptism in the blood of glorified patriots who sacrificed their lives in defending its honored and hallowed folds from dishonor, and that our Republic might live, and the Union forever remain united, with the glorious Stars and Stripes left to our children as a blessed souvenir of its departed heroes and patriots.
“This ‘Origin and History’ is reverently and patriotically dedicated to the boys and girls of the American schools, in honor of Washington, the Father; Lincoln the Saviour, and the brave defenders of the Stars and Stripes in the army and navy, who gave their lives as a blessed heritage, and sanctified their names in deeds of valor, that the history and fame of ‘Old Glory’ might be a perpetual object lesson, an inspiration, a noble inheritance of loyalty, and a patriotic history to encourage and brighten the intellect of the rising generation; to strengthen their love for the flag, and prepare them for the honors of civil life, in their advancement for the higher and nobler duties of loyal, patriotic American citizens.”
This week’s old saying is from Napoleon: “Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.”