The Press., 1885-04-02
DEFENDING HIS COLORS.

The late Sergeant Thomas Plunkett of Worcester, Mass, lost both his arms while carrying the colors of his regiment at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1882. At the time he was twenty three years old. Following is the story of his brave deed
 On the afternoon of December 13, 1882, the brigade to which the Twenty first Massachusetts regiment was attached was ordered to charge the impregnable confed- crate position on Marye's Hill, just back of the town. Plunkett was ordered to take position in the rear of the line to prevent struggling from the ranks As the regiment swept forward on the double quick, under a deadly fire from the con- federate works, Color Sergeant Joseph H. Collins fell mortally wounded, and the na- tional 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 it's silk en folds, the staff was splintered, and its gallant bearer had his cap perforated 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 confederate's works, which it H, directly in frost of the colors. A portion of the missile struck Piunkett's right arm, near the shoulder, nearly severing it, 50 that it hung by shred of mangled flesh. | Then it struck book which be had but toned inside his vest-a book with thick covers descriptive of the White Sulphur Springs which he had picked up in Fred ericksburg that morDing-tore it to pieces and glancing, struck his left arm near the wrist, making a frightful wound. The book, which was thick enough to turn the direction of the shell, undoubtedly saved Plunkett's life. It 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 college), who had witnessed his exploit, came to him, cut off his accouterments and sent him to the rear in charge of one of his comrades. He walked for some dis tance until faint from the loss of blood, when a stretcher was procured and he was taken to an improvised hospital in the city of Fredericksburg. The surgeons pro- nounced his case hopeless, and turned their attention 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 prayers that something might be done for him prevail ed. The surgeons administered chloro- form and amputated both his arms, one near the shoulder and the other below the elbow. He was then taken to 6 field hos pital, and on the 25th of December, Christ mas 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, 8 pass to Acquia Creek, upon which he managed to reach Fredericks- burg, only to find the sergeant gone. Af- ter hunting three days in Washington, aided by the people at the Massachusetts headquarters, Plunkett was found in the Emery hospital on the outskirts. Here he lay several weary months, his left arm causing him great deal of suffering. At one time it was thought re-amputation would be necessary, but his vigorous con- stitution pulled him through, and in May he obtained 'war department" furlough, and started for home. On recovering from his wounds Sergeant Plunkett was gen erously provided for by the contributions of people who honored his bravery and by a full pension. He has held position as messenger in the state house, in Boston, fifteen years.