Kids The Battle Flag of the Union, United States of America Shirt 12 Navy

Description

This flag was flown over Fort Sumter at the beginning of the American Civil War. It shows 33 stars because that is the number of states at the time. It represents the states, united. The flag was lowered, in surrender, at the outset of the Civil War. Exactly four years later, on April 14, 1865, to celebrate the Union victory, raised the flag once more in triumph. Henry Beecher said, "On this solemn and joyful day, we again lift to the breeze our fathers' flag, now, again, the banner of the United States.... May it be beneficent in peace as long as the sun endures, of the stars, may it wave over a nation neither enslaved or enslaving.... We lift up our banner, and dedicate it to peace, Union and liberty, now and forevermore."