Anderson Zouaves Research

The National Day [23 February 1895]













Home | History | Publications | Contact Us





New York, Feb. 22. – Washington's birthday is being observed to-day as generally and with as much spirit as usual in this city. In the early hours there was a sharp biting wind, making out of door exercises exceedingly unpopular. The city bore a holiday appearance in the display of flags and bunting. Travel on the elevated and surface roads was small, and the streets down town were nearly deserted. The public buildings and the big office buildings were deserted and very little business is going on down town.

The display of flags and bunting seemed to be greater than on any previous Washington's birthday. Bunting hung from window sills of many residences. Old Glory waved gloriously on the water. Crafts of all kinds carried flags. Ferryboats, steamships, tugs, lighters and scows, all flew the emblem. Along the river front the display was general, and, in effect, beautiful.

At sunrise this morning Christopher R. Forbes, great grandson of Sergeant Van Arsdale of Revolutionary fame, raised "Old Glory" at the Battery park as he has done for a number of years, He was assisted by the Anderson Zouaves of the Sixty-second regiment, New York volunteers. Great enthusiasm prevailed while the flag was being raised, cheer after cheer being given for the "Father of Our Country and Old Glory" by those who were present… 

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Saturday, February 23, 1895, Page 2