Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-06-27
A NOYEL CONTEST
Fight Betw een Soldiers For Flag During the
/

Fight Betw cen Soldiers For Fla During the
War.
Col. c. E. Merrill writes as follows in
| the Jacksonville Times-Union:
| At one time during the three days bat
| tie at Gettsybur Col. Moore's Mississip-
pi regiment occupied line or temporary
breastworks fronting Pennsylvania
brigade. Half way between the two lines
was small picket-post formed of rails,
| hastily thrown together on neutral
ground. which was alternately occupied
| by soldiers from either side. The breast
| works of the two armies were within easy
range, and whenever hat projected
| above the head-log zip! went a bullet
through it.
On the morning of the second day
Frank Price OF Carroll county, Mississip-
pi, private in Col. Moore's regiment.
looked out and saw four PenIsylvanians
occupying the rail pile half way between
| the contending forces, with the stars and
stripes waving over them.
Il intend to capture that dag" remark
ed young Price, as he slung his carbine
across his shoulders, adjusted the strap
which supported it and sprang over the
breastworks. In vain the Colonel and
Others warned him against the venture,
but seeing he was determined on making
1t, three other Mississippians followed.
Before reaching the redoubs all but Price
had fallen under the CALLING fire of the
four Pennsylvanians. Three of the latter
took to their heels, running back under
shelter of their works, leaving Price and
one stalwart Union soldier to fight it out
alone. Price, at the time, weighed about
120 pounds-his antagonist nearly twice
rs much. When Price sprang over the
rails and seized the flag, the Pennsylva-
MAN fired again, happily aiming too high.
As Price laid hold of the flag, the Penn
sylvainan laid hold of him. A regular
''fst and skull" battle ensued. At one
time the Federal soldier dragged the Con-
federate back almost within the Federal
lines, but Frank held on to the flag like
grim death. By universal consent, firing
stopped all along the lines. The soldiers
of both sides laid down their arms to
witness the struggle, and cries of Ego it
Reb" "hold to it, Yank" etc., resound-
ed all along the lines.
The two game chickens fought over
the entire ground-back and forth-fitst
one and then the other having the advan-
tage. The Mississippian, however, being
tough and wiry, finally ''out-winded" the
Federal, got possession of the starry
ensign and started with it to his regi-
ment, walking backwards to evade his
pursuer, who was following with bay
Onet charge. All this time Price had re-
tanned his loaded carbine still swung
across his shoulders. The backward
step entangled his feet in the flag and
tripped him within sixty feet of his regi-
ment. As he fell the Federal soldier
made rush toward him With bayonet
poised, and nothing was left the Confed-
crate but to unsling his carbine and fire
the deadbody of his enemy falling
close by his side.
81 regretted to have to kill the man I
had fought long and friendly fist
fight WITH" remarked young Price, "but
it was case of self-defense. If had
not fired at once he would have pinned
me to the ground with his bayonet."
With bloody nose and battered face,
Price carried his tro ply into the breast
works amid the plaudits of both armies.
The incident was published in the Rich
mond papers at the time, as one of the
most remarkable of the war. Frank still
retains the flag as a valued memento of
the desperate struggle which crowned
him victor. 1t indicates what fun Gen.
Rodger A. Pryor might have had with
that Federal soldier who captured him,
if he had only thought of it in time.