Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-03-25
DEFENDING HIS C0L0RS.
The Brave Act OF q Massachu-
sets Soldier.
How Federal Sergeant Lost Both Arms
at the Battle of fredericksburg.

The late Sergeant Thomas Plunkett,
OF Worcester, Mass, lost both his arms
while carrying the colors of his regi-
ment at Fredericksburg, December 10,
1862. At the time he was twenty
three years old. Following is the
story of his brave deed:
On the afternoon of December IS,
1862, the brigade to which the Twenty
first Massachusetts, regiment was at
tached was ordered to charge the i'm
pregnable Confederate position on
Marye's Hill, just back of the town.
Plunkett was ordered to take posi-
tion in the rear of the line to prevent
struggling from the ranks. AS the
regiment swept forward on the double
quick, under deadly fire from the
Confederate works, Color Sergeant
Joseph II. Collins fell mortally wound
ed, and the national banner fell to the
ground and was left behind Sergeant
Plunkett, seeing the flag fall, threw
down his gun, seized the colors and
rushed to the front of the line. A
hot fire was at once concentrated on
the flag, bullets passed through its
silken folds, the staff was splintered'
and its gallant bearer had his cap per-
forated by well-directed shot. Still
the line swept on, the colorS borne
proudly at the front by the heroic
young sergeant. Suddenly, just as the
regiment arrived at the point nearest
the CUnfederate's works, which it was
fated that day to reach, shell burst
directly in front of the colors. Apor-
ton Of the missile struck Plunkett's
right arm, near the shoulder, nearly
severing it, 50 that it hung by shred
of mangled flesh. Then it struck
book which he had buttoned inside his
yeSt-a book with thick covers descrip-
tive Of the White Sulphur Springs
which he had picked up in Fredericks.
burg that morning-tore it to pieces,
and glancing, struck his left arm near
the wrist, making a frightiul wound.
The book, which was thick enough to
turn the direction Of the shell, I'M
doubleday saved Plunkett's life. 1t
was struck with such force that the
marks of the covers could be seen on
his breast for weeks. Plunkett fell
forward upon the flag, and the stains
of his blood are visible upon the banner
to-day. When he fell, Colonel Clark
(nOw Professor Clark of Amherst Col
lege), who had witnessed his exploit,
came to him, cut off his accout2rments
and sent him to the rear in charge of
enc of his comrades. He walked for
some distance until faint from the loss
of blood, when stretcher was pro-
cured and he was taken to an impro-
vised hospital in the city of Freder
icksburg. The surgeons pronounced
his case hopeless and turned their at
tention to others whom they thought
more in need of their services. For
two hours he lay on the floor helpless
and half delirious from pain, wet with
the water used in washing the wounds
of his comrades, until finally his pray
ers that something might be done for
him prevailed. The surgeons admin
istered chloroform and amputated both
his arms, one near the shoulder and
the other below the elbow. He was
then taken to field hospital, and on
the 25th of December, Christmas Day,
the entire regiment turned out to do
him honor as he, with other wounded
men, was transferred by way of Acquia
Creek to Washington. His brother,
Frank, had secured, through the efforts
of Charles Sumner pass to Acquia
Creek, upon which he managed to
reach Fredericksburg, only to find the
sergeant gone. After hunting three
days in Washington, aided by the peo-
pie at the Massachusetts headquarters,
Plunkett was found in the Emery
Hospital on the out skirts Here he
lay several weary months, his left arm
causing him great deal of suffering,
At one time it was thought reamputa-
ton would be necessary, but his vigor.
Gus constitution pulled him through,
and in May he obtained a "War De-
partment" furlough, and started for
home. On recovering from his wounds
Sergeant Plunkett was generously
provided for by the contributions of
people who h)nored his bravery and
by a full pension. lie has held posi-
ton as messenger in the State House,
in Boston, fifteen years.