The flag, which was carried by the old First Regiment during the Civil War, was presented to the pupils of the High School on Saturday night. Originally, the flag was the gift of the girls who attended the High School in 1861, and who presented it to the regiment as it left for the front. The same man who then received the colors and who carried them during the war gave them back on Saturday night to the successors of the original donors.

The ceremonies took place in the High School auditorium and were in charge of a joint committee, consisting of representatives of the First Regiment Veterans' Association and the Board of Education. The veterans, about thirty strong, marched into the room headed by a drummer. School Commissioner William A. Clay, as chairman, opened the exercises with a brief address.

"Old Glory" was sung, after which W. M. Small, of the class of '98, read an account of the presentation of the flag in 1861. The flag was then received by Dr. J. J. Craven, surgeon of the regiment, who in turn handed it to Color Sergeant A. J. Mandeville. The latter said in part

"It was the proudest day of my life when I received this honored and sacred emblem into my care. If my love for it could have been any stronger the source whence it came would have made it dearer. Since that day the flag has earned a record. It was the first flag to leave this state for the Civil War, and it was followed by stout hearts and strong wills. It is not so spick and span now as it was on that day. The stars and stripes have faded, but the glory is even greater. It has seen hard service and has shown it, but it is, if possible with a greater degree of pleasure than I experienced on receiving it, that I return it."

There was great applause as Sergeant Mandeville unrolled the flag and held it out to view. Miss Marion Law, of the class of '99 accepted the banner on behalf of the school. C. S. Stafford sang the "Star Spangled Banner" the audience joining in the chorus, and James M Trimble, on behalf of the Alumni Association, presented a case for the flag to the school. Commissioner Alfred N. Lewis accepted flag and case on behalf of the Board of Education and Principal Edmund O. Hovey, as final custodian of both gifts, made an address.

Major A. B. Twitchell took the place of H. B. Smith in telling about "The Flag of the Sixties" and Rev. Dwight Galloupe spoke about "The Flag of the Nineties." The singing of "America" and the beating of tattoo by J. C. Wambold, drum major of the regiment, brought the exercises to a close. Letters of regret were read from Governor Voorhees, Congressman Fowler and others.