Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-10-27

WharI AT Bsrraneas at four p. m or
that day In readiness to trsasno-. -,
garrison to Fort Pickens.
Nevertheless the wyandotte did not
move that day. Farrand was in con.
slant communication with the rebels
at Pensacola. but nine miles away.
He knew that within As hours the
confederates would demand the sur.
render of the navy yard. and he hoped
the way 10 occupy Fort Pickens would
be opened also.
Farrand knew the very hour that
Victor NJ. Randolph would present
his confederate forces at the gate OF
the navy yard. and was there TO re
ceive and welcome him. dressed I'm
the full uniform OF a United States
naval officer. while Commodore Arm
strong was kept in ignorance of the
whole affair. and did not know that
the confcderates were approaching
till they were reported az the gate. and
the two commissioners selected by the
governor of Florida were conducted to|
him 10y Farrand
All the details OF the surrender we're
conducted by Farrand. even 20 the
Furnishing Of the faithful old quarter
master for refusing 20 haul down theI
Tag in surrender when ordered 20 do
so by Renshaw
This faithful old seaman was VII.
liam Conway. OF Camden. Me. HeI
had obeyed the order 20 stand by the
hsilyards, but when ordered TO haul
the flag iR capitulation be said:
Il viii not do IL. sir! That IS thel
fag OF my country. under which ! have
served many years. I love il. and viii
not dishonOr fl by hauling it down
now"
Renshaw had to do the work with
his own hands and then he and Far
rand set about Furnishing the old quar-.
termaster by putting him In irons for
his fidelity 90 the old Gag.
Conway's hcroism in the affair was
first recognized by the judge advocated
OF the courtmartisl. A. b. Magruder.
who submitted 90 the secretary OF the
navy the propriety. justice and good
policy OF bestowing some mark OF ap-
probation
The life story OF Quartermaster Will
liam Conway is quickly told. lie ran
away from home az the age OF 70 and
enlisted in the United States navy
never afterward returning to- make his n
home with his people for any length |
OF time His whole life was spent In
the service of his country. The posi-. |
lions which he occupied were
boatswain's mate. captain OF the ton.
masteratarms and quartermaster
When the Maine loyal legion began
an Investigation of hero Conwav's
career "a year ago Mai Il. S. Burrage.
the recorder. wrote 90 Rear Admiral j. /
b. Coehlan. commandment of the navy
yard and station ar New York
He replied that William Conway.
quartermastcr. SO years of age. native /
of Maine. was admitted to the hos.
pital az that station from the United /
states steamer North Carolina and
died November $50. 1868. /
The hospital records show that his
remains were buried i'm the naval
cemetery In Ncw York. but tho grave
could not be located There are sew.
eral unknown graves in This cemetery. /
and the hero az the Pensacola incident
probably sleeps in one OF them
The only surviving relatives of Con.
way are two niecos Mrs Louise Rob.
bins of Thomaston. formerly Louise 7
keene of Rochport. and Miss Julia
conway. OF Camden. The gold medal I
above referred to is the property OIL
Mrs. Robbins son. William Conway /
Robbins. of Ncw York
Conway's horoism was recalled 10 ,
the present generation through the of- \
forts OF Capt John %. johnson. United !
states navy. who wrote number OF /
articles on the subject for local news I
papers q year ago and Interested the I
Loyal Legion In preparing the me- I
mortal
The conditions found by Capt John /
son during his Investigation i'm Knox I
county warranted him in styling his
article "A Forsoucn Camden Hero " /
for tn Conway.s native town there
We're few who had ever heard tho QUAR-.
termaster's name and none who knew
OF his brave act at the Pensacola navy
yard
Capt. Johnson finally located the
Conway medal in Thomaston. and
from the two nieces above named
learned the few particulars that could
be cleaned concerning Conway's homef
life With this as a foundation there
began the plaumaking for a notable
celebration
Capt. Johnson was in command OF
he gunboat Shoko'on az the close OF
he civil war having been twice pro-
noted. Tie is junior vice commander
lt The military order of Lnval I.nrinn