The Caplured Flag
A Civil War Story, related by one of
the survivors of an odd incident.
By FRANK P. O'BRIEN
(From (he book “Under Bo(h Flags.” published in IK96.)
April 12. 1864, the Confederate
forces evacuated their intrcnchmcnts
on Rodman’s Point and at Fisher’s Hill,
below Little Washington. North Caro¬
lina. where they had lain in siege
fourteen days, and took up their line
of march for Hamilton, where they
were directed to report to General
Hoke, whose division was being
strengthened for the purpose of march¬
ing on Plymouth. At break of day.
April 16. the long roll was sounded
and orders to march were given; word
was passed down the line that Plym¬
outh was the objective point.
General Hoke ordered General
Matt. Ransom, after the capture of
Block House No. 2. to march his
brigade to a point below the town,
and there to co-operate with the Con¬
federate gun-boat "Albemarle." un¬
der command of Captain James W.
Cook. C.S.N. This brave officer had
already destroyed the "Southfield.”
crippled the "Miami." and captured
two small boats. That morning orders
were given simultaneously to move on
the town from all land sides, and, with
the assistance of the iron ram on the
water front, the place was taken
within three hours of first moving. Gen¬
eral Wcssels and his brave band made
it rather warm for us. and many a
poor fellow lay with his face to the
skies before capitulation. Even after
we had gotten within the outer line
of breastworks, they fought us hand-
to-hand from the various bomb-proofs
they had erected, anticipating a siege
similar to the one of Little Washing¬
ton. which had taken place on the 1st
of April.
During the hand-to-hand encounter
referred to. a bomb-proof was cap¬
T he State is indebted to Mrs.
E. C. Rountree of Raleigh for the
loan of the rare volume from
which this article was condensed.
tured by Private G. M. ("Mortie”)
Williams, two others, and the writer.
When we entered the mouth of the
bomb-proof we discovered five lieu¬
tenants. a color corporal, and Major
John H. Burnham, all of the 16th
Connecticut volunteers.
Mr. Williams was in front, and on
discovering the color corporal, he
caught the staff and dragged the flag
out of the hands of its bearer. The
brave fellow begged for possession of
his colors. It proved to be the battle-
flag of the 16th Connecticut, and
when this was denied him. he asked
that a piece be given to him as a
memento. This Mr. Williams cheerfully
accorded, and himself cut a corner
from the bottom and gave it to the
color-bearer.
Mailboat Incident
All prisoners captured at Plymouth
were sent to the rear, some going to
Salisbury. North Carolina, and some
to Andersonvillc, Georgia. Major Burn¬
ham was among the number sent to
the former place.
During one of my scouting trips
over on the Chowan and in and around
Elizabeth. I learned that two mail-
boats made regular semi-weekly trips
between Roanoke Island and Norfolk,
and that on a certain day the United
States paymaster would go to Roanoke
Island from Norfolk on the mail-boat
"Fawn." I returned to Plymouth and
reported my information, which was
perfectly reliable, to Captain James
Maffit. of "Florida" fame. who. soon
after the engagement of May 5. had
llluitrotion (tom "Front Rank." by Glenn Tucker,
о
publication of the N. C. Dept, of Archive» 6 Hutory.
THE STATE. SEPTEMBER IS. 1967
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