The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-02-20

atthe moment that the delivery of the
flag was intended as signal to the
troops in the trenches to cease firing. AT
any rate they lost their heads for the
nonce.
Not SO, however, was it with General
Hagood, who was distant about rs wards
and saw with amazement the surrender
having been shot under him, and he
came forward on run to intercept the
officer, who was riding slowly along the
front Of the regiment, obliquing some
what toward his own lines. General
Hagood, on coming up with him, seized
the bride of the horse, and leveling his
cooked revolver at the captains breast
said to him, "Give me that flag, sir -
The answer was, "Who are you?'' The
general replied: 81 command this bri.
gade. admire your bravery. Give me
the flag, and you shall return unmolest-
ed to your own lines" The captain.
who had furled the flag and was hold.
ing it upright, with the ferrule of the
staff resting on the pommel of his sad
die, responded: General, you had bet
ter surrender to me yourself. Look be-
hind you" The general looked to the
rear and saw that large force which
had sailed from the intrenchments on
his left was moving to cut off his re-
treat, all other commands having retired
from the fruitless assault. farming to
the defiant captain, he exclaimed,
"Oace more. sir, will You give up that
fagT" The answer was in loud tone.
"Neverl" With the answer General
Hagood fired, and the officer fell, shot
through the breast. He still grasped the
flagstaff as he fell backward, and it was
wrested from his grasp. The general
then mounted the horse and ordered
retreat, which was effected with loss of
nearly one-half of the brigade.
The captured horse was killed on the
retreat by shot from the Union lines,
and as he fell he kicked out his heels,
and as if to avenge his fallen master
struck DR.. Taylor, the brigade surgeon,
in the head, inflicting wound from the
effects of which he never entirely recov~
cred.
Often within the lines at Petersburg,
around many campfire, Confederate
soldiers discussed the strange incident
of the flag surrendered at Yellow Tav-
ern How it was that such famous
regiment should have allowed it's flag to
be surrendered in battle to force con-
sisting Of but one man was most puz-
cling.
The occult power of hypnotism might
have furnished solution, but it was
then unheard of and is still unknown to
the art Of war.
All agreed, however, that no Drawer
deed was ever done than that Of the
Yankee captain who fell still grasping
that flag.
I was then a captain of engineers in
the Confederate army. Sixteen years
later General Hagood was the honored
chief magistrate of the state of South
Carolina, worthy successor of many
illustrious Carolinians who had held
that high Office. I was circuit Judge
Inc drlsaoer aOds in q loud tone, "Neper!'
and holding court at Columbia and call
ed on the governor at the capitol to pay
my respects. I found him highly elated,
and he said to me as soon as was seat
ed: lyon recollect that Federal officer
that was obliged to shoot in the battle
of Yellow Tavern to recovered the flag?
Well, thank heaven, did not kill him.
He is still living. Here is letter that
have just received from him. Please
read it, y
I read the letter with the deepest in
terest. The following is copy:
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia. Dec. 4, 1880.
General Johnston Hagood, Columbia, s. c.:
GENERAL-H am correctly informed, you
are the Confederate officer who shot me in the
right breast in the battle of Yellow Tavern.
The wound was inflicted to recover from me
regimental flag which had been surrendered
to me by one of your color bearers. had ap-
parently recovered entirely from it, but it has
troubled me for some time, and I now find
myself obliged to apply for pension.
As was within your lines and out of sight
of my comrades when was shot, am obliged
to request that you will aid me to prove that
received the wound in the line of my duty.
You would do me great favor if you will
make affidavit stating the facts and forward it
to me. Please state also that you have no in
terest in my claim. I am, general, yours re-
spectfully, JAMES BAILEY,
Late Captain Fourth Iowa Volunteer Infan-
try.