Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-12-08

On the 18th of January the yard was
surrendered to Victor M. Randolph.
acting as the commissioner of the gov
ernGr of Florida. Farrand kept the old
captain IN ignorance of events till the
repels We're at the gate and then per-
sonally conducted the surrender.
Ire rebels were having very much
their own way till it came to hauling
down the colOrs. VIM. Conway of Cam
7eh. Me-, Iuartermaster, old in the
erFice, was ordered to stand by the
billiards. He obeyed. Then came the or
Ger to haul down the colors as a final
sign OF capitulation. And he refused,
wing:
L will not do it, sir! This is the flag
III my country under which T have
erVed many years. 1 love it and will
not dishonor it by hauling it down
lloW"
For this burst of patriotic defiance
Farrand had the old quarternaster put
in irons, but he was later rewarded in
l manner fitting his pluck and patriot
SIN. Armstrong was court martialed
ior his surrender of the navy yard, and
it was during his trial that the facts
in regard to Conway We're brought out.
The court wrote the navy department
of the gallant attitude of Conway and
he received official recognition for his
bravery.
In concluding his paper, Capt. john
son said that he found Conway for
gotten in Camden. The name of the
brave State-o'- Manner is not to be
found on Camden's soldiers monument
though perhaps this is not strange as
1t is only through the recent publica-
ton of the navy records of the war that
the papers in the case have been
brought to light. Recent Investigations
disclose the fact that Conway died in
service at the Brooklyn navy yard
Nov. so, 1865. less than five years from
the day that he upheld alone his coun-
try's honor. Yet he was buried in an
unmarked grave that cannot now be
located. Having stated this, Capt. John
son then said:
and l earnestly think, sir, that the
name OF this grand old American tar
should be rescued from oblivion. l be-
lieve sir. that his name is fully as
worthy of that honor as is that of John
Paul Jones, for while he was distinct
~ American, Paul Jones claimed to be
a citizen of the world and had too
many nationalities. He was a Scotch
man, an American, a Fronchman and
Russian. He was everything by turns,
and, nothing long, and was strictly 10y
al to none but Paul Jones. The only
things that were distinctly American
on board the Bon Hommc Richard were
the American flag and Lieut.. Dali, who
became an admiral IN the
American navy.
But this brave old American tar
shifted his quid of tobacco, gave the
waistDand of his trousers a hitch and
stood firm as the rock of Gibraltar for
one country and one flag. And for it, 1
think his name should be placed on a
pinniclc of fame.
'And what could be more fitting than
to have this honored organization
which bears the proud title of the Loyal
Legion Of America take the first steps
toward that loyal object. for who is
there among us that would not have
been thrilled to his fingers ends could
he have listened to the loyal words of
that loyal old American sailor: Il will
not do it, sir. 1t is the flag of my
country under which 1 have served for
many years, 1 love it and I will not
dishonor it by hauling it down now
The paper read by Capt johnson was
one Of the most interesting ever read be-
fore the Maine Commandery and at the
of the reading several of the
members spoke highly of its merit and
the idea of rescuing from obliy-
ion this long forgotten Maine hero. The
medal presented to the Camden hero was
on exhibition. AS result Of the paper
some tablet will be erected by the Legion
in honor of the dead hero's name and
exploit and some other action may result
to perpetuatc the memory of Conway's
bravery.
Those present at the meeting were: