April 20, 1861: The Norwalk Lock Company Shows the Flag

For anyone who remembers the surge of American patriotism, flag waving and urge to go to war against those who perpetrated the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the reaction of the North to the shelling of Ft. Sumter on April 12-13, 1861, will look familiar.

In its very first edition after the war had begun, on April 16, the Norwalk Gazette published a brief editorial (shown in the attached photos), that almost could have been written in 2001:

"No village of the size of Norwalk can float more American Flags than we. We would suggest that from every staff they be flung to the breeze, and through sunshine and storm be permitted to float by day and by night, so long as that flag is imperiled. Our bunting can be worn out in no nobler way."

The editorial, titled "THE STARS AND STRIPES," was put beneath an illustration of a flag waving in the breeze. A week later, an item titled "Stand by the Flag" informed readers:

"Our suggestion last week to unfurl the Stars and Stripes has been adopted with the most patriotic enthusiasm. The eye cannot span the blue heavens in any direction without greeting that glorious emblem of the FREE. Long let it wave."

Ebenezer "Eben" Hill, who had done so much to promote the war effort from the very first, was part of a patriotic rally around a flag this day at the Norwalk Lock Co., of which he was president.

"The officers and employees of the Norwalk Lock Company contributed a sufficient sum to purchase a beautiful flag and to raise a staff over their factory," the Gazette reported on April 23. "Mr. Elwell was commissioned to get the flag and returned with it Saturday afternoon. A large crowd gathered, and the glorious Stars and Stripes went up to mast-head amidst the roar of cannon, beating of drums, and cheers of the people.

"A line was then formed and marched to the residence of Eben. Hill, Esq., President of the Lock Company, where cheers were given; after which they returned to the Factory and gave nine more hearty cheers for the Flag of Our Union, and dispersed."

Hill, who died in 1875,  lived at 46 West Ave. in the 1880s and perhaps at this time.  If that number corresponds to the current address (and it may well not), then the home would be at the corner of Garner Street and West Avenue, about where the Walgreens pharmacy stands today and across the street from the landmark yellow-brick Methodist Church. So the march was not a very long one from Marshall Street.

"We understand that a large number of the best employees of this company have enlisted, and leave with the volunteers this afternoon. Three cheers for the Lock Company Boys, and long may they live to see their Country's Flag float over the land of the free, and the home of the brave.

"Besides the new flag at the Lock Factory, we notice the Stars and Stripes flying in every direction throughout South Norwalk, and more are being put out as fast as they can be bought or made."

The building on which the flag was flown, built in the mid-1850s, was saved from demolition in 2000, was renovated into studio, gallery, office, retail and retaurant space. It still exists in South Norwalk, at 18 Marshall St., near the .

Another article in the newspaper mentioned that "In New York, [Roman Catholic] Bishop Hughes has ordered the Stars and Stripes to float fro the Churches under his charge in that city, and from every quarter we hear of their priestrs urging their people to loyalty and patriotism."

Yet another item in the newspaper stated:

"PATRIOTIC.—We were glad to see the Stars and Stripes floating from the spires of two of our Churches on Sunday last. If in the Cromwell days it were necessary to trust in God, but keep the powder dry—how much more important in times like these, that all good men 'show their colors.'"

At some point during the war, every Norwalk Church except the largely Irish St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, then on Chapel Street, was flying the flag. Asked about the lack of a flag, the pastor, Rev. Mulligan, replied: "Our church is not a church of North or South. We minister to all ... but you will find my flock truly loyal to the Union."

Sources

Norwalk Gazette, April 16 and April 23 editions (from the Norwalk Museum archives)

Norwalk: Being an Historical Account of that Connecticut Town, by Deborah Wing Ray and Gloria P. Stewart, Norwalk Historical Society, 1979, Chapter 10: "Saving the Republic," pp 123 (on St. Mary's Church), 163 (on Hill's address), 164 (on the railroad being raised near the Norwalk Lock Company building, as noted in a picture caption)

Beinfield Architecture PC Web page.