The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-12
DEATH OF A BRAVE SAILOR.
Charles b. Pyne's Experience in the Navy During
the Late civil War.


Boston, ,Gtobe.l
Charles B. Pyne died at Somerville recently,
leaving a wife and two children.
Pyne was born in the State of Maine, and
during his younger days was much upon the
water. AT the breaking out of the civil war
he enlisted in the navy, and served with dis
tinctlon along the Southern coast.
In the latter part of 1868 he was in the har-
Dor of Charleston, S. c., and took part in an
attempt to surprise and capture Fort Sumter.
The expedition was in charge of Commander
Stevens. When the boats reached the fort the
crews of them, led by Commander Williams,
Lieutenant Kenny and Ensign Porter, scaled
the breach of the fort, but instead of being sur
prlsed the enemy We're on the alert, and received
the brave sailors with shot and shell. Many
were killed and others wounded, among the
latter being Pyne, who received flesh wounds
in an arm and leg. The assault was wholly un-
successful, and only one-haf of the stormng
party succeeded in escaping back to their own
commands. Pyne, prisoner, was taken to
Charleston, Millen, Columbia. Andersonville,
Salisbury, N. c., Danville, Iynchburg, and
finally was sent to Richmond, where he put in
time at Castle Thunder and Belle Island.
Being sailor he was interchangeable, and
was obliged till the latter part of the Summer
OF 1864 to remain in the prison pens of the
South, which subdued his spirit and broke him
physically. While in Richmond he concocted
scheme to escape from prison. Every point
was made to insure success, but the plan was
given away to the Confederate officer, who
posted extra guards, and the next day three
men were taken from theprison for punish
ment. Pyne, the leader, had not been molested
but young and sickly inmate, who had no
hand III the plot, was suspected and taken out
to undergo punishment. These men were
placed in the yard in the rear of the prison,
and bucked and gagged. Seated upon the
ground, their arms were bound around their
legs. and piece of wood placed between their
teeth Here, III the hot sun, these men were
suffering excruciating pain. when Pyne, noble
soul that he was, went to the door leading to the
yard and called the Confederate officer to him,
saying: Captain, you are furnishing an inno-
cent man; If will show you a guilty one will
you put him in his place?" The officer replied
Yes. " Well" said Pyne, " | am the man;
take me-" All day long he with his two COM
panions were kept bucked and gagged, and at
night tney were sent to Castle Thunder. After
wards Pyne was incarcerated III Libby prison
and Belle Island
From the latter place one night he, with two
comrades, Jumped into the river and struck out
for the southern shore One of the men was
Killed, another gave himself up, but Pyne
kept on and escaped. For several days he re-
mained within the Confederate lines waiting
an opportunity to pass to the Union army.
which he finally succeeded in doing, coming in
at the Fifth Corps front He was sent to
Washington and discharged from service Sep
tember 8, 1864, just one year from the day lie
was taken prisoner. But not content that he
had done his duty, he re-enlisted, was ap-
pointed ensign for bravery, and was finally
discharged III July, 1865.
Pyne was painter by trade, and has lived
in Somerville for 90 years. The funeral
services were held at the First Universalist
Church, Somerville. The GAR. Post of
which he was member attended, and also
many of his old comrades living in Woburn
and other places.