men left the burning ruins, they saluted "Old Glory" with fifty guns,
then lowered it, and, as the Major stated to the Government, "marched
out of the fort with colors flying and drums beating."

This was on April 14, 1861. On April 14, 1865, when the war was
virtually over, Major Anderson, now General Anderson, was, by order of
President Lincoln, called to Fort Sumter to raise again the flag which
he had so unwillingly lowered. A special steamer carried from New York
to the fort a number of prominent citizens. Hundreds came from
elsewhere by land to Charleston and were taken to the fort by vessel.
Two hundred officers of the navy were present and many army officers.
After the opening exercises, Sergeant Hart opened a big carpetbag and
drew forth the identical flag that had been hauled down four years
earlier. The banner was unfurled, the assemblage cheered to the echo,
and slowly the beloved banner rose to its old position, every one
trying his best to catch hold of the rope and help raise it. Hats were
waved and the old fort rang with cheers. The band struck up "The
Star-Spangled Banner." A salute was fired by the guns on Fort Sumter,
and this was responded to by every fort and battery that had fired
upon Sumter in April, 1861. Henry Ward Beecher, orator of the day,
made a thrilling address. Of the flag he said:--

There flies the same flag that was insulted. In the storm of
that assault this glorious ensign was often struck; but,
memorable fact, not one of its stars was torn out, by shot or
shell. It was a prophecy.... Lifted to the air, to-day it
proclaims, after four years of war, "Not a State is blotted out!"

Hail to the flag of our fathers, and our flag! Glory to the
banner that has gone through four years black with tempests of
war, to pilot the nation back to peace without dismemberment!
And glory be to God, who, above all hosts and banners, hath
ordained victory, and shall ordain peace!... In the name of God,
we lift up our banner, and dedicate it to Peace, Union and
Liberty, now and forevermore.

A few years later General Anderson died. He was buried at West Point
and was carried to his grave wrapped in the flag that he had defended
so bravely. On the death of his wife the flag passed by her gift into
the hands of the War Department.

One of the most interesting flags of the recent war with Spain was
borne by the First Regiment of the United St