The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1906-10-25

Nevertheless the wyaadotte did not
move that day. Farrand was IN con.
slant communication with the rebels
At Pensacola. but nine miles away.
He knew that within IS hours he
c%onfederatos would demand the eur
render Of the navy yard. and hc hoped
the way 10 occupy Fort Pickons would
be opened also.
Farrand knew tho very hour that
Victor "a. Randolph would present
BIS confederate forces az the gate Of
the navy yard. and was there 10 re-
celye and welcome him. dressed in
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 c~onfederates were approaching
tin they were reported az the gate. and
the two commissioner selected by the
governor OF Florida were conducted to
him by Farrand.
All the details Of the surrender were
conducted By Farrand. even TO the
Furnishing OF the faithful old quarter
master for refusing to haul down the
Gag in surrender when ordered to do
10 by Renshaw.
This faithful old seaman was VIII
liam Conway, of Camden. Ne. He
had obeyed the order to stand by the
hallyards, but when ordered 20 haul
the Gag I'm equalization be said:
i will not do fl. sir! That is the
dag of my country. under which ! have
served many years. love Il; and will
not dishonor it 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 guar.
termaster by putting him in irons for
his fidelity TO the old flag.
Conways heroism in the affair was
FIRST recognized by the judge advocate
OF the court-martiai. A. b, MaEruder.
who submitted to the secretary of the
navy the propriety, justice and good
policy Of bestowing some mark OF ap-
probation.
The life story OF Quartermaster VIII
liam Conway is quickly told. He ran
away from home AZ the age Of Il and
enlisted in the United States navy,
never afterward returning to make his
home with his people for any length
OF time. His whole life was spent IN
jhe service Of his country. The posi-
lions which he occupied were
b~oatswain's mate. captain OF the top,
master-at-arms and quartermaster.
When The Maine loyal legion began
an Investigation Of hero Conway's
career a year ago Mai. u. s Burrage.
the recorder. wrote 10 Rear Admiral J..
b. Coghlsn. commandant OF She navy
yard and station 81 New York.
He replied that William Conway
qaartermaster. 80 years Of age. native
OF Maine. was admitted to the hos
pifal az that station from the United
states steamer North Carolina aud
died November 90. 1865.
The hospital records show that HIS
remains were buried fra the naval
I cemetery in New York. but the grave
could 90 DC located There are sew
eral unknown raves Ga this cemetery.
and the hero of the Pensacola Incident
probably sleeps in one OF them.
Tho only surviving relatives ot Con.
Way are two nieccs. Mgs louise Rob
bins, OF Tlamaston. formerly Loalee
7 keeue. of RacApUrt. and Miss Julia
Conway. 90 Camden The gold medal
above referred Go is the property ui
Mrs Robbins son. William Conway
Robbins of New York.
Conway heroism was recalled 10
the present generation through the ~
forts of Capt John O. Johnson. United
States navy. who wrote d number of
articles on the subject Tor local news.
papers q year aEo and interested the
LOYAL Legion tn preparing the me
mortal
The conditions found by Capt John
son during his Investigation lu Knox
county warranted him 90 styling hls
article. "A Forgotten Camden Hor1.
for Ga Conway native town there
were few who had over heard the guar
tcrmastcrs name and none who knew
of mis- brave act at the Pensacola navy
yard.
Capt Johnson finally located the
Conway medal in Thum8stun. and
from the two nlecos above named
learned the few particulars that could
Dee CLEANED ~ooncoruiug Conway home
life With this as a foundation there
hogan che ulaumoklng Tor "a notable
celebration.
Capt Johnson was Ia command o.
the guaboat shokolon at tho close OF
the civil war. hayius been twice pro.
NOTED He S. Junior vice commander
az thc military order of Loyal Legion.
HE First Experiences Under Fire.
In the Army and Navy club. Wash.
ington. Gen Chaneo told this story
OF Gen Carr. says the New York