Flags in Williamsburg, flags with George Washington
George Washington was born on Feb. 22, 1732, right? Well, not quite. He was actually born on Feb. 11, 1731, 285 years ago. Either way, he was surrounded by all sorts of flags his entire life.
The National Archives website clarifies his birth date by noting that Washington “was born in Virginia on February 11, 1731, according to the then-used Julian calendar. In 1752, however, Britain and all its colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar, which moved [his] birthday a year and 11 days to February 22, 1732.”
Either way, the Father of Our Country was involved with all sorts of flags: the British flag, of course, the first American flag and, perhaps most often of all, flags of truce. The latter were white flags signaling that an enemy wanted to parlay and vowed to be peaceful.
Truce flags were frequently on Washington’s mind during the American revolution. Indeed, in one short letter in 1783, he mentioned them nine times.
He wrote: “As I have thought proper to direct that in future and until further Orders Flags of Truce properly authenticated and conducted agreeably to the Rules of War may be received at the New Bridge on the Croton: and that Flags may also be sent from thence unto the British Lines under certain limitations; you will be pleased to observe the following Regulations in conducting this business:
“All Flags from the Enemy are to be stopped at the Bridge, the Letters and Papers received, and the bearer or bearers discharged and sent back as soon as conveniently may be; while the person or persons who came with the Flag remain there, he or they are to be constantly in the charge of a…Non Commissioned Officer….
“It need not be suggested that all Persons coming under the sanction of a Flag…ought to be treated with civility; But no Military characters are on any pretext to be suffered to come any farther within our out Posts than is necessary for their accommodation….
“Flags are to be granted by you only in consequence of Orders from Congress, the Secr[etar]y at War, Executive of either of the States or myself. All Letters and Papers that are to be sent in by Flag, must be previously examined at Head Quarters, except such as may be forwarded by some of the authorities before mentioned, or written by persons who have Passports from them, on the business relative to which permission for Flags was granted to them. You will [allow] no Article of goods or Merchandize, to come out by Flag.”
Washington, obviously a man of precision and details, can be seen today by visiting Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. A reenactor in Washington’s guise gives regular addresses and even walks the flag-decorated streets leading a dog named Liberty.
And you won’t need a flag of truce to talk to him.
