History of the Flag Part 5 Martin Link

HISTORY OF THE FLAG PART 5

By Martin Link

1861 — No other year in our history witnessed such fracture in the American experiment or turned so many brothers and neighbors on each other’s throats. Yet no other year inspired such noble expressions of loyalty to home and hearth, catapulted so many extraordinary new leaders on to the political and military stage, inspired such thrilling rhetoric, and ignited such industrial muscle.

Both the issues of state’s rights and slavery prompted South Carolina to secede from the Union in December 1860. This act was rapidly followed, in January 1861 by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana. Texas seceded in February, Virginia in April, and Arkansas in May.

Jefferson Davis became president on February 18th of the Confederate States of America and delivered his inaugural address in Montgomery, Alabama, while Abraham Lincoln delivered his inaugural address in Washington, D.C. on March 4th. Soon afterwards, North Carolina seceded in May and Tennessee did likewise in June, thus giving eleven states to the Confederacy.

Although many people had hoped that the separation would be non-violent, the bombardment of Ft. Sumpter in Charleston, South Carolina, harbor on April 12, 1861, launched what was to become the deadliest, bloodiest war in American history.

Barbara Frietchie

By John Greenleaf Whittier

One of the most popular poems of the war focused on an event that happened in Frederick, Maryland, when elements of Gen. Robert Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia engaged in their first attempt to invade the Union. The invasion would culminate with a massive battle at Antietam, about 25 miles west of Frederick.

Although the Confederate Army was marching through a Union state, most residents along the route chose not to cause any confrontations by bringing their flags indoors and staying there until all the military units had passed — but not 90 year old Barbara Frietchie!

Up from the meadows rich with corn, Clear in the cool September morn, The clustered spires of Frederick stand Green-walled by the hills of Maryland. Round about them orchards sweep, Apple and peach tree fruited deep, Fair as a garden of the Lord To the eyes of the famished rebel horde, On that pleasant morn of the early fall When Lee marched over the mountain wall — Over the mountains winding down, Horse and foot, into Frederick town. Forty flags with their silver stars Forty flags with their crimson bars, Flapped in the morning wind: the sun Of noon looked down, and saw not one. Up rose old Barbara Frietchie then, Bowed with her fourscore years and ten, Bravest of all in Frederick town, She took up the flag the men hauled down. In her attic window the staff she set To show that one heart was loyal yet. Up the street came the rebel tread, Stonewall Jackson riding ahead. Under his slouched hat left and right He glanced: the old flag met his sight. “Halt” — the dust-brown ranks stood fast. “Fire!” — out blazed the rifle blast. It shivered the window, pane and sash, It rent the banner with seam and gash. Quick, as it fell, from the broken staff Dame Barbara snatched the silken scarf. She leaned far out on the window-sill, And shook it forth with a royal will. “Shoot, if you must, this old grey head, But spare your country’s flag,” she said. A shade of sadness, a blush of shame Over the face of the leader came: The nobler nature within him stirred To life at that woman’s deed and word. “Who touches a hair of yon grey head Dies like a dog! March on!” he said. All day long through Frederick street Sounded the tread of marching feet. All day long that free flag tost Over the heads of the rebel host. Ever its torn folds rose and fell On the loyal winds that loved it well. And through hill-gaps sunset light Shone over it with a warm good-night. Barbara Frietchie’s work is o’er, And the rebel rides on his raids no more. Honor to her! and let a tear Fall, for her sake, on Stonewall’s bier. Over Barbara Frietchie’s grave Flag of Freedom and Union wave! Peace and order and beauty draw Round thy symbol of light and law; And even the stars above look down On thy stars below in Frederick town!

The Battle Cry of Freedom, “Yes, we’ll rally round the flag, boys, we’ll rally once again.”

The Stars and Bars

The Confederate government opted for a flag that was similar to the one they had grown up under, except the thirteen stripes were replaced by three broad bars, two red and one white. They were also a bit over-optimistic in the star count. They had thirteen — the eleven states that did secede and two more, for Kentucky and Missouri, that they hoped would secede, but never did.

The more popular battle flag had a red base with a blue and white edged Cross of St. Andrew emblazoned on it. Within the Cross were also thirteen stars.

The Stars and Stripes

The Union flag, at the outset of the Civil War, boasted 33 stars, but with the entry of Kansas on January 29, 1861, the flag flown during the early battles of the war consisted of 34 stars (as shown here).

Shortly after Virginia seceded from the Union, not all the state’s population were in agreement. Forty-eight counties in the western part of the state created a provisional government, and then seceded from

Virginia. Once that was accomplished, they applied for admission into the Union. On June 20, 1863, the state of West Virginia became the 35th state to enter the Union.

Also, during the war, Nevada became the 36th state, and star, with its entry into the Union in October 1864.

President Lincoln, however, stood steadfastly against removing the eleven stars of the seceded states from the flag because of his belief, “The American flag, even in a Union torn asunder, must always hold the promise of a Union restored.”