Civil War Union Documents
April 14, 1865 Historic Fort Sumter Flag Re-Raising Program
April 14, 1865-Dated, Fort Sumter Flag Re-Raising Ceremony Progam titled, "Programme of the Order of Exercises at the Re-Raising of the United States Flag on Fort Sumter, Charleston, SC, April 14th, 1865, Upon the Fourth Anniversary of the Fall of the Fort.", Choice Very Fine.
A wonderful piece of Civil War history titled, "Programme of the Order of Exercises at the Re-Raising of the United States Flag on Fort Sumter, Charleston, SC, April 14th, 1865, Upon the Fourth Anniversary of the Fall of the Fort."
This historically important imprint measures 8" x 5" and contains four pages. Folded in thirds, with some toning, light discoloration confined to pages 2, 3, and 4. The cover is clean save for a small pinhole at top center. Starting off the program was a prayer from Rev. Matthias Harris, who made the prayer when the U.S. flag was raised at Major General Robert Anderson's first taking command of the Fort on Deceember 27, 1860.
The program begins with a prayer by Rev. Matthias Harris, followed by several readings from scripture, a singing of the "Star Spangled Banner," an address by Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, the doxology, and a closing prayer and benediction. The photographs are captioned in pencil on the verso. The first reads: "Interior of Ft. Sumter Apl 14 1865. H.W. Beecher delivering the oration on the occasion of raising the old flag." The second caption reads: "Interior of Ft. Sumter Apl 14, 1865 pending the ceremony of raising the old flag." A scarce printing of the program for a very meaningful ceremony marking a fresh start for South Carolina after the Civil War, with possibly unique photographs taken from the actual flag-raising ceremony. A wonderful trio of South Carolina Reconstruction items. SABIN 25167. MIDLAND NOTES 91:96. Important Sea Chart of Hilton Head Area.
Following Scripture readings, Anderson's dispatch announcing the fall of the Fort into Confederate hands on April 18, 1861 was read to the crowd. Immediately following, Anderson himself raised the same flag that had been taken down in 1861 to a 100 gun salute and the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner. This program is undoubtedly very rare, as likely few were saved by the participants. It serves as a full-circle recognition of the humiliation suffered at the fall of the Fort and its triumphant recapture. We have not seen another. SEE: SABIN 25167. MIDLAND NOTES 91:96. Important Sea Chart of Hilton Head Area.
Fort Sumter is a sea fort built on an artificial island protecting Charleston, South Carolina from naval invasion. Its origin dates to the War of 1812 when the British invaded Washington by sea. It was still incomplete in 1861 when the Battle of Fort Sumter began the American Civil War. It was severely damaged during the war, left in ruins, and although there was some rebuilding, the fort as conceived was never completed.
Since the middle of the 20th century, Fort Sumter has been open to the public as part of the Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, operated by the National Park Service.
KEYWORDS:
Capture of Fort Sumpter, American Flag Raising Fort Sumpter, Charleston, South Carolina History, Militaria, Printed Civil War Document