The National tribune., 1883-08-30
A RETURNED FLAG.
Southern Account Of the Fight in which 1t was
Captured.
) tIs 20 $500 DiagsteI !:

NHEsAuIc1s
&c he Editor Richmond Dispatch:
The circumstances OF the capture OF the flag
lately retained To tie mayor Of New York by
the cadets Of tie Virginia Military Institute
have been 50 mlsstated ia the press that 1t
wonla be jast 10 have them correctly published
especial sllce sequel thereto Las been woven
ITO what a reporter terms romantic war
story" CT the return of a family Bible 10 a
Southern household who had Alourued it as
forever gone.
The facts Of the capture are as follows: On
December -, 1853, General T l. Rosser's cav
airy brigade started flom Fredericksburg. not
alexandria, Ia tie direction OF Fairfax
CoGrt-house, the object being 10 move around
Aesdes rear, who was then CHARTERED IL Cul-
pePer, cross the Shenandoah al Berry's Ferry
and SO get behind and cui of large raiding
party under Averil which had set ont from
Winchester up the Valley. On the night of the
1oth Aosser struck the Orange Railroad at
cziEgsters, not "C2tetts," station about
twenty miles from Alexandria. here was a
strong stocEade fort on q steep hill, held by
about 100 men, Of what we are now told was
the One Hundred and Fifty-Gfth New York.
The leading regiment in our column. As brave
and true as any, charged the fort, bat owing to
the darkness a dismal rain having set in, the
extreme roughness Of the ground, and the enc
my position, were repulsed. The force in the
lori then sent out a sallyIng party, which ran
down the hill and took position behind the
railroad bank, which crossed at right angles
the read by which We approached General
hosser then ordered the Eleventh regiment.
hinder my command, TO move forward and
clear the road. Stumbling on IN the dense
darkness, the FIRST knowledge We received of
tbe position OF the enemy IN our front came
VIII binding Yoley from the men behind
the bank, full IN our faces which killed the
gallant Cartmeil, captain Of the leading com
pany, ana wounded a number OF men end
horses. But those Who were unhurt charged
Immediately, broke through, and scattered Tie
eailylng party and clambering up and ar0rlnd
the hlis, rode into and captured the fort
Seventeen prisoners were taken inside the
atOckade, the rest Of the force having gone with
The sally ng party OF escaped under cover of
the night. And here was found the Gag which
] presented several months later TO the insti-
tute, at General Rosser's command, and in be-
half Of the brigade
Ihe One Hundred and Sixty-fourth New
YORK Was gallant Irish regiment, and at
Cold ilaIoor, where only fourteen Of them es-
capeo de&lh wounds, or capture, they lost
Their standard. The city Of New York then
sent Them the beautiful banner caDfured al
Sangsters. When the survivors of the regi-
Lacnt heard Of this intended restoration. they
hopca Il was their old battle flag which they
lost so her0ic2i y. and il was noticeable that
statements tending 70 belittle the action n
kaagslcr's were made, in Difference 10 their
feelings and yet it had al the elements OF
more important contests, and the prisoners
taken. though they fought well practically
surrendered their fort to less than half thei.
number For when Cartmell fell in the mar
row road by the yoley from the railroad hank
the way was blocked a moment by his men, VINO
stopped TO lift his body, and al but those few
who happened 20 be IA advance Of him were
temporarily checked in their charge Among
those few specially remembered for The exhibit
fion of splendid courage under very trying
circumstances were Adjutant o. x. Funston