Fired 100 guns at Fort Sumter 151 years ago – Star Spangled Banner Commemorative Silver Dollar Coin

Today, the Star Spangled Banner Commemorative Silver Dollar Coin remembers the ceremony of April 14, 1865 when Ol’ Glory was once again raised over Fort Sumter.

From The Last Four Weeks of the War by Edmund Neuson Hatcher, published 1891:

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Charleston, SC, April 14, 1865

Major Anderson, before a distinguished assemblage, hoisted the Stars and Stripes on Fort Sumter, today.

The flag had an evergreen wreath attached.

The occupants of the stage all joined in taking hold of the halyards, and helped hoist the beautiful banner, while the enthusiasm was unbounded.

There was a simultaneous rising, and cheering, and waving of hats which lasted fully fifteen minutes.

General Anderson then introduced the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher who made the leading address.

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What was the significance of raising the flag on Fort Sumter on April 14?

From History of the Flag of the United States of America by George Henry Preble, published 1882:

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Head-quarters, District of Wilmington, Wilmington, N. C, April 11, 1865.

“Three years ago this day, a portion of the troops of this command took possession of Fort Pulaski. Here, also, are men who were engaged in the capture of Forts Wagner and Fisher, and the siege of Sumter.

“To them the brigadier-general commanding takes great pleasure in publishing the following dispatch received by him from Major-General Schofield, commanding the department: —

“It having been reported at their head-quarters that a salute of one hundred guns was fired at Wilmington on the 14th of April, 1861, in honor of the fall of Fort Sumter, the commanding general directs that you will cause a salute of one hundred guns to be fired on the 14th of the present month, from rebel guns and with rebel ammunition, in honor of the restoration of the stars and stripes over the same fort.

“Captain A. C. Harvey is charged with the execution of the order, and he will consult with Lieutenant R. Williams, depot ordinance officer, as to the selection of guns and ammunition. ”

“By order of Brigadier-General Hawley.

“E. Lewis Moore,

“Captain and A. A. G.”

Though the day coincided with Good Friday, it could not change the official date of the event commemorated, nor was the celebration discordant with the religious meditations Good Friday provokes in the minds of so many Christians.

A large number of citizens went from New York in the steamers Arago and Oceanus to assist in the ceremonies.

Colonel Stewart L. Woodford, of the One Hundredth and Twenty-seventh New York Regiment, who, on the evacuation of Charleston, was appointed its military governor, had charge of the exercises at the fort.

When the multitude was assembled around the flag-staff, William B. Bradbury led it in singing his song of ‘Victory at Last,’ followed by ‘Rally Round the Flag, Boys.’

The Rev. Matthew Harris, chaplain United States army, who made the prayer, Dec. 27, 1860, at the raising of the flag over Sumter, now offered an introductory prayer, and pronounced a blessing on the old flag.

Dr. R. S. Storrs, of Brooklyn, read selections from the Psalms.

Then General Townsend, assistant adjutant-general of the United States army, read Major Anderson’s dispatch of April 18, 1861, announcing the fall of Sumter.

This was followed by the appearance of Sergeant Hart with a bag containing the precious old flag.

It was attached to the halyards, when General Anderson, after a brief and touching address, hoisted it to the head of the flagstaff amid loud huzzas, which were followed by singing the ‘Star-Spangled Banner.’

Then six guns on the fort opened their loud voices, and were responded to by all the guns from all the batteries around which took part in the bombardment of the fort in 1861.

When all became silent, the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, the orator chosen for the occasion, pronounced an eloquent address.

A benediction closed the ceremonies, and thus Fort Sumter was formally repossessed by the government.

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The Star Spangled Banner Commemorative Silver Dollar Coin shows with an image of the raising of the flag at Fort Sumter on April 14, 1865.

Star Spangled Banner Commemorative Silver Dollar Coin