The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1897-07-30
AN INCIDENT OF '64.
How . Mississippi Confederate Captured
Yankee Flag.

f. E. N. In Jacksonville Citizen.
UntOl1 deeds Of personal herOism on
the part Of privatcs In the COufcder.
ate armies must ever remain unwrit-
ten. Within the limited sphere Of
home and neighbOrl,ood they may go
down to future generations through
tradition, from sire to son, but the
story is unrccorded. Hearts "Once
pregnant with celestial fire." "hands
which the rod OF empire might have
swayed,' arc still and forgotten in
namelcss graves, while the world
knows them not. 1t was General
Smith or General Jones or General
Brown who rushed to glory or the
grave. The private soldier who gave
tho enemy the bayonet, who went
down in the earthquake shock Of bat.
tie, was most simply "killed or miss
ing-naMc unknOwn."
During the hundred battles around
Richmond at one time Lees and
Grants armies watched and con-
frOnted each other in parallel breast.
works. This was not far from Peters.
burg. A long rail fence, equl.dlstant
between the lines, had been by the
advanced pickets OF each army alter.
nately roughly tumbled together here
and there in piles, which served them
for shelter. One day, or one hour,
they we're occupied by Confederate
pickcts, then again by Union pickets.
Ono afternoon, while both armies
at this point Of the line were lying
quietly within their respective earth.
works, smoking or reading or playing
cards, perhaps, Frank d. Price, Of the
Fortieth Mississippi, discovered that
only one of the rail piles, surmounted
by Union flag, was occupied by three
or four pickcts from the opposite brig
ade Of pennsylvanians.
lin going to bring that flag In II !
never eat another quarter section Of
hard.tack," remarked young Price,
singing his carbinc over his shoulder
and priming his mHsket ready for the
"on. .slaught."
As he began crawling over the works
Col. Nelson called out:
"St0p; Frank! l thought you were
jesting. Don't attempt so foolish
hazard. 1t is suicide"
"1t's just as I said, colonel" turn.
ing and saluting his commanding
officer. "l'm going to bring You that
flag or we'll have y fight, a foot
race or funeral"
Seeing he was determined to 60,
Lieutenant johnson, d sergeant and
private, followed. 1t was not long un
til volleys from the rail pile had killed
one and wounded two Of Franks sup
port. The other returned.
On he went alone, and at double
quick. For that one occasion lie bort
a charmed life. Just as he stO0pet
for the final spring upon and over tht
rail-pile, from behind which four Un
ion soldiers had been firing, he dis
charged his musket, killing one. TIVE
Others made a break for their regi
ment, their last shots passing owe
Prices head. Throwing down hi
now empty muskct, he snatched th'
flag and turned to carry IL back to hi
colnnel In triumph, but suddenly from
behind the ambush rose a great 200
pound Pennsylvania Dutchman, read!
to contest the Rebel" title.
1 Each had a firm grasp OF the fay
stock, and round and round, back AM
fourth, they fought and struggled 70
possession. Either army, or % mucl
of II ~ was near enough 70 witnes
the novel contest. mounted 10 breast
works, yelling and cheering each 70
his hero.
"Hold 10 II, Frank" shouted hi
brigade, other brigades joining N
Bring u home, my boyl DOu't Il
the Yauk have itl'
, On ths other side:
"Swing 70 your colors, Dutchl ORA
the Rebel IN with 'em. Hurrah Il