Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-08-25
UNKNOWN HERO.
Augusta Man Writes An Interesting Account
Of Brave Soldier.

Major C. J. House of this city has been
requested by the Mast, Crowell & Kirk
patrick Publishing Co., of Springfield,
Ohio, to furnish an article regarding John
Chapman. who captured flag during the
late war, and received a medal from the
secretary of war for the brave act. The
article will appear in a book which this
firm will publish very soon, regarding
the soldiers who captured flags and won
medals, etc.
The same narrative will form a part of
the history of the First Maine Heavy Artil-
lery Regiment, which Major House is pre-
pairing. 1t will read as follows:
Private John Chapman of Co. B, First
Maine Heavy Artillery, who captured a
Confederate flag at Sailors Creek on the 9th
of April, lS65,was young man of 20 years
and was possessed of a cool and determined
courage and a devotion to the Union cause
worthy of all commentator. What bis
real name was, to what state in the South
he belonged, or what became of him after
his discharge is wholly unknown, so far
as can be learned, by any member Of the
regiment. .-
can that lis generally known of him is that
he appeared in Portland, Maine, in the fall
of 1864 where he enlisted under the as
sumed name Of John Chapman of St.
John, New Brunswick, and was as
signed to the above named company. He
was always faithful to duty and in Septem-
Der, 1865, be was discharged with the regi-
ment at Bangor, Maine, when he dropped
out of sight but not out of the recollection
before the above named sixth of April he
gave the writer little scrap of his previous
history, and the sequel so confirmed the
determination then so forcibly expressed
that he has no doubt that Chapman told the
truth. He indicated that he was serving
under an assumed name for the reason that
he was, as he expressed it, rebel dese:ter.
"He was strong Union man from the
first. but was forced into the Confederate
ranks. He took his place reluctantly and
with the firm determination to desert to the
Union lines at the first opportunity. That
opportunity presented itself during the siege
of Port Hudson in 1868. Choosing dark
stormy night he succeeded in the undertake
ing without difficulty. He stated that there
was Confederate flag within reach which
he much desired to bring away with him,
but lest he be detected or captured in the
movement, he did not take the flag but had
ever since been thoroughly mad with HIM
self because he did not. But he added
and at the same time striking hard
his knee with his clenched fist Il am
going to have rebel flag before get out
of this show and don't you forget it,. The
writer can never forget the snap of his eye
or the look of determination on his face as
he made the remark. He was as good as
his word. As the Brigade was advancing
against Confederate line, at about noon Of
that day, two colors were observed in our
immediate front. On seeing them Chap
man sprang forward to the skirmish line
then with . quick bound he was in advance
of all competitors for the prize. He
disabled one of the color bearers
with swinging blow from his gun and Sc
cured one flag while man in the 10th New
York got the other. He passed the flag
over to an officer and Immediately took his
place on the new formed skirmish line.
where h, did some fine sharpshooting
through the afternoon. After the surrender
of Lee he was given furlough for thirty
DAYS. Going to Washington he presented
the captured flag to the secretary OF war
and from him received medal Of honor
---------------