Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-02-20

tion from Nhe Mayor, accompanying splendid
| Yaukee nag, which had been sent to him by Capt
TX. A. StuIiiyaut, for presentation to the COUNCIL
The iug was captured by Captain Sturdiya nt IN os
/ of the numerous engage ments with the Yankees
which hs battery has been engaged in since 1t has
1 bs,p in service. The Mayor accomplished the pre-
,entation with the following letter;
RICHMOND, Feb. 18th, 1865.
| Ia The President AID Members OF the city Council:
| Gentlemen, When i son of Virginia, aud citi-
| zen of Richmond has done eminent service III the
cause OF the whole country, and 10y his gallahtry
illustrates the unhelIed honor aud good name OF the
State that gave him birth, It is lifting that the sc
| knowl edgmcnts OF those, whom his devotion ha'
Ihelped to defend. should he his portion. q
| Among those who have thus signalized the vaoi
and seit-sacrince of the Commonwealth, and tc
whom the award OF unconteSted merit il due, IT Is
NV privilege 10 bring before your BODY, IN an ODla
ton OF patriotism, the name OF Major N. Stnrdi
/ want who, by his selection, has honOred me with
the agency of presenting 10 your honorable body
/ a nag, captured by him. IN battle from the public
| enemy Ia compliance with the request of the
captOy have the honor, herewith, 10 transmit 10
Won this trophy wrested from the hands OF the enc
| NV in determined tight, that 1t may, under Your
good pleasure, suspend from the walls OF your
| Council Chamber.
| II ia proper that this request should DC accom-
panied by brief narrative of the circumstances,
| which brought the Yankee flag into Major Sturdi-
wants hanas-an achievement which sgnGlly tcsti-
ies t. the bravery OF the Majors command, whilst
| il does honor to his personal resolution and
gallautry, opposed TO what might be justly cOnsid-
| cred a superior force OF our enemy.
In the mouth OF January, 1864, Major Sturdivant
was ordered 10 proceed from IvOr Depot, on the
Blackwater, where his Battery was stationed, with
two guns aud Two supporting companies Of infantry
TO Chuckatuck there to attack the Federal gunbOat
1 a. fannie - When however. reached Ills
point the gunboat had taken her departure. Hav,
| ing, IN pursuance OF stragctc combination, by
which he hoped TO induce the gunboat to make back
| Tor her anchorage, marched from CHucKATUCK to
i the neighborhOud Of SMITHFIELD, he was attacked
at SCOTS Factory by Ibody of the enemy, consist
| ing of infantry, cavalry and artillery.
| This attack he repuSed, compelling the enemy to
retreat to Smithhcld, with inconSderablc loss.
The enemy greatly outnumberng his force, he sent
lol remioi cements, which came up on the next day
lie then entered the town and demanded the sur
| render of the enemy. This demand was, at first,
| compiled with; but afterwards withdrawn when the
gunboat renewed hostilities by friSg on the Con-
federatc command.
The engagement thus renewed, resulted in the
disabling OF the gunboat, terminating in her sur
render together with her crew, ana hundred and
twenty -four prisoners, who had taken refuge upon
| her decks. The tag, which am the hOnOred agent
| To transmit tor your acceptance and disposal, is
that which hoated from the nag; Stat OF the "Fora
/ Temple" al the time of this gallant eXplnit.
| We have no Hall of Shields OF ancient days. We
have Jauiculum gentlemen, wherein TO preserve
kthe standards won by the empriZe OF our soldiers
bloody fields on treacherous waves but ting recol
lection OF deeds ct devotion done in furthefance o
our country's cause, will survive in the annals Of
our people long alter that time, which shall surely
| witness the crumblings of the proudest masonry
aud the passing away OF the Hottest learings Of mani
| hands And now, 10 the perseying spirit OF time
| respectfully ask OF you, as the representatives Of
this 'Maiden City," not To be polluted 10y the tru
talities OF the enemy to conSgn one OF the records
| OF the valor OF NirginianS, which enables TO de-
liver Into your hands and charge, this flag of the
foeman, plucked from him in the battle OF freedom
by NIrgluiau leading Eirginianyto victory on the
| soil OF Virginia.
| have the honor TO be, gentlemen
Your obedent servant
JOsEPm MAYO.