Sierra County Advocate

ORDER OF THE RED EAGLE:
Something About the German Order
Recently Bestowed by Emperor
William on Americans.

In view of the numerous decorations
conferred on Americans, it may
be of interest to learn something
about the history of the particular
orders bestowed. The Order of
Red Eagle, which many Americans
received, was originally established
in 1705 by the hereditary prince
George Wilhelm of Brandenburg-
Anspach, under the name "Ordre
de la Sincerite" and Order of the
Eagle. When in 1791 the markgra-
dom became a part of Prussia, the
Order of the Red Eagle was also ta-
ken over by the state. King Fried-
rich Wilhelm II. made it the second
order of importance of the kingdom.
Friedrich Wilhelm III. in 18
changed the statutes and also the
signs of the order. Under Friedri-
ch Wilhelm IV. and the late King W-
ilhelm, whom his grandson calls the
great, the statutes were also extend-
ed. The order consists of nine classes
which are: Grand cross, first class,
second class (with star and without
star), third and fourth class; be-
sides these classes, a large number
of gradations and variations exist,
says an eastern exchange.

The decorations of the grand cross
consist of a large eight-pointed white
St. John's cross with gold setting.
The crosses of the first, second and
third class, which differ only in size,
consist of a smooth, white enameled
cross, inlaid with gold, a white gold
shield in the middle shows in front
a crowned red eagle bearing a green
wreath in his talons. The cross of
the fourth class has the same form,
the arms of the same, however, are
not enameled but of silver, only the
middle shield is enameled and like
the other classes.

An order which many of the Ameri-
cans received is the royal crown or-
der, the youngest order of Prussia.
It was established in 1861 by King
Wilhelm of Prussia, when in com-
memoration of his coronation.

The order is of the same rank as the
order of the Red Eagle, and also di-
vided into four classes. The decora-
tion consists of a plain white en-
ameled cross, having a double gold
setting. The middle shield has
front a golden crown surrounded
by a blue enameled crown, bearing
the inscription, "God with us;" on
the back in the name of the royal foun-
der, W. R., and the date of the foun-
ding of the order, October 18, 1861.
The orders of the first, second and
third class differ only in size. The
order of the fourth class is not
enameled, and consists of a simple
golden cross.