Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-14
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PALATKA, FLA, December 13.-The
battle flag of the Eighth New York Regi-
ment, General Dan SickIes, is in the posses
sion of Lieutenant G. W. Saunders, of this
city, who served in Company I, Second
Florida Regiment, under command of Cap
tain Brevard, of Tallahassee. The
flag was captured before Richmond,
at the battle of Seven Pines
by Lieutenant, Saunders himself, who, to-
day showed it to The DISPATCH CORES
pondent. It contains two black spots,
designating that no quarter was shown
Confederate soldiers. It also contains 13
bullet holes, nine of which were made Tin
it by Lieutenant Saunders.
The particulars of the capture are
thus given by Lieutenant Saun-
ders: "We started in about 1 P. NJ, having
sent out our skirmishers az II. Colonel Perry
said: Boys, the password is "Home and
Firesides. We passed through the swamp
mile ana a half and came to the clearing
of a small field, when Colonel Mccall said:
''Hold, boys, there's the enemy" The
enemy raised up and said: Come on, boys,
it is not the enemy; it is friends Colonel
Mccall said: Forward, Second Florida
Two seconds after and the enemy poured
volley into our lines.
TERRIBLE sLAUGHTERs.
"Out of Is Captains IL were killed.
Colonel Mccall fell with two bullets in his
head, and took him from the field. The
great and noble voice OF Colonel e. A Per-
ry, afterward Governor of Florida, was then
heard above the din of battle as he
shouted: Arise, and charge them, Second
Floridar We charged them across the re-
doubt, and as they turned their grape and
canister upon usve retreated. We charged
them the second time, and we again re-
treated. Col. Perry again shouted, Charge
them again, boys, and do not fall down
upon your faces when we get under the re-
doubt; and then when you see man with
his head above the breastwork, shoot him.
"Sixteen men were killed at the mouth Of
one gun. Hearing the battery timber up,
he shouted: Rise, Second Florida, and
through the gapP Colonel Perry was the
first man through, running his sword
through the first horse of the caissons az
his company was skilled in the artillery
drill, he ordered his men to wheel the guns
on the enemy and fire. We held the fort
and all its appurtenances.
BRAVE TO THE DEATH.
ST then came upon the color bearer of the
Eighth New York, as he lay upon the
ground. shot and dying. As approached
him, with drawn sword, he said: Would
you harm q dying man?' threw
aside my sword, and lifting his head,
gave him drink of water from my cantesn.
He then said: You want this flag, take 1t,
but let me hold the staff I allowed him to
keep the latter, which he held tightly
clasped across his breast until he died.
Lieutenant Saunders expressed great adj
mirstion for the gallantry OF the color bearer
OF the Eighth New York, and said he died
like true soldier. The flag is now in
Saunders possession. He says that he
has had it for 26 years, but
on the day Jefferson Davis was buried he
decided to return the flag to its former
owners. If the survivors of the Eighth
New York Regiment will notify Lieutenant
Saunders at Palatks, Fla, the flag which
they fought under at the battle OF Seven
Pines will be returned to them.