Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-28
A HISTORIC FLAG.
The First Captured from the UnioI
Forces Returned by it's Captor.

The First Captured from the Union
Forces Returned by It's Csptor.
NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 20.-Col. James
NJ. Sandige mailed few days ago to Il.
M. shurtlef, an artist, of No. 106 West
Fifty-sixth street, what has always been
recognized as the first Union flag captur-
ed in the late war. Yesterday he receiv-
ed letter from Mr.. Shurtleff acknowledge
ing It's receipt. Its history, briefly told,
is as follows:
Col. sandige was, in July, 1861, mem
Der Of DOuthilPs Company OF Virginia
Cavalry, under Major, afterward General,
Woods. On July Is he was detailed to
advance with a small squad on the York
town road 10 recOnnOitTe for Federals,
who were occupying Newport aud tIamp-
ton. There were with him his son George
Burdette Terrett, also OF Louisiana, and
a guide. They had gone some distance
along the road when the tramp OF feet
coming from the direction OF Newmarket
bridge was heard. The night was rainy
and dark. Not knowing the strength of
the enemy, who were on foot and had a
mule with them, the Confederates sta
toned themselves by the roadside to let
them pass. There were six in the
party. They passed within ten OF fifteen
feet.
Col. Sandige suspected that the object
of the Union men was to surprise some OF
the pickets, and he determined TO await
their return and attempt the rescue Of
any prisoners they might have taken. 1t
rained nearly all night. "At daylight"
said Col. Sandige, "the reception we were
to give them from our ambush was ar
ranged. We were each tn pick out a
man, aud thus make the best use OF our
ammunition. At about O'clock they ap-
peared, three officers abreast, whose
names AS afterward ascertained) were
Mai. Rawlins, Capt. jenkins, and Lieut..
Shurtleh. When they were some twenty
PAGES distant we fired. Rawlins fell, shot
through the head. ShurtlcG was wound
ed in the arm and side by Terrett. Capt.
jenkins, who was third in the rank, was
untouched, as my son George had not
fred. The Captain leaPed across the
road 10 the shelter of the brush on the
other side. instructed George 10 fire in
the direction OF Jenkins. II being my in
tentiOn 20 advance simultaneously toward
his hiding place. George discharged his
gun and leaped into the road. AT the
Same time | advanced and saw jenkins
I'm the act OF shooting George. There
upon fired, sending ball through his
arm and chest. He threw up his hands
and fell back, saying he was mOrtally
wounded. Having reloaded the gun ro-
turned toward shurtleh. Aiming the
weapon at him demanded the number Of
his party and their whereabouts. He
said they had taken 10 the woods. or
dered him 10 get up and call on his com
panions 20 surrender. This he did, but
they did not appear.
81 learned from Shurtleh that no and
his comrades had gone along the road un-
al they reached the Confederate yidettes.
The question arose whether they should
attempt an ambuscade, but the party d.
vided on the question and their orders be
ing only 10 rec0nnoitre they retired. /
ordered my little force about as u had
regiment at command, and detailed COM
panies TO beat the bushes. This Wasi OF
course. done for effect. No more FEEDER
ais appeared. The rest OF jenkins party
had taken 70 the woods. 1 beard altef-