WHEREVER the Flag of Betsy Ross went, it waved majestically and above
suspicion; no temptation or opposition could deter it, for her godly
prayer went with it, and upon every Flag she forwarded, she pinned
her printed message, viz: “EVERY MAN THAT IS AGAINST THIS FLAG IS A
TRAITOR.” Aye! where the battle was the hottest, and amidst the hail of
fire where the bullets fell the fastest and thickest, that Flag cheered
the wounded and dying patriots to shout “FIGHT ON! FIGHT ON! FIGHT ON!”
And when the brave Commander Lawrence saw that the Flag on his Frigate
still waved, though wounded and dying, he cried out, in these immortal
words, “Don’t give up the ship!”
On the 28th of June, 1776, the British Fleet and Army of Sir Henry
Clinton commenced their furious “Attack on Fort Moultrie,” but, one
circumstance serves to illustrate the daring, enthusiastic courage and
love for the Flag of Independence which pervaded the American Troops.
In the course of the engagement, the Flag staff of the Fort was shot
away, followed by peals of derision from the minions of the Fleet,
but Sergeant JASPER leaped down upon the beach, snatched up the Flag,
fastened it to a sponge-staff, and while the ships were incessantly
directing their broadsides upon the Fort, he mounted the merlon and
deliberately replaced the Flag, shouting “IT STILL FLIES!” That
warrior’s shout was echoed by the Garrison, and suddenly checked Sir
Henry’s derision. The British Fleet and Army were greatly mortified
by the _flying Stars and Stripes_, and were terribly repulsed by the
brave defence of Fort Moultrie, whilst the whole Garrison were fiercely
echoing and re-echoing the shout—“IT STILL FLIES!!” The news of this
undaunted intrepidity and exulting victory spread throughout the
continent, and Sergeant JASPER was honorably promoted by Congress for
his unparalleled heroism. Yes, thank God, our Flag “IT STILL FLIES,”
and never can be conquered.