Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-04-02
A CAPTU1ED CONFEDERATE FLAG
That Has Hung In Maine state House
fifty Years
(Bridgton News)

(BrlQgtOn NeWS)
Shorey's Story of the Maine Fiji
tenth: [Southern Coast Of Texas,
Nov 1S63l-The Fifteenth took pas
sage from Brazos Island at night;
after a days passage by steamer the
two Maine regiments Q3th and 15th)
were transferred to small vessels and
lighters, and at about sunset of the
9Th landed through the surf upon the
beach near the southern extremity OF
Mustang Island. The landing was ef-
fected with very little difficulty. the
sea being quite smooth. After brief
tarry upon the shore, at about 10 +. NJ.
the command was put in motion for a
very fatigung all-night march upon
| the hard. scawashed beach. in the di-
| rection of fortified position held by
the rebels upon the northern extremity
Of the island. Marching some Is miles.
| and taking n brief rest, we resumed, in
| line of battle, our front being covered
by skirmiShcrs marching consider
| able distance in advance Of the main
| Inc. At about 8 A. NJ, 18th, n mile
| south of their works. the encmy's
| pickcts were encountered. they making
| a slight show of resistance. Our adj
vance at once opened fire and the gum
boat. Mongahcla, ran up to an eligible
| position ard tossed a few shell into
re gimcnts were at once formed in line
| as a stormins party. led Ey Gen. RAN
| SOM. and were moving steadily. for
ward, with hostile intent. when they
| confronted a party of rebels bearing
| a flag ftrucc. sent out to prevent use
| less shedding of blood. with offer of
| surrender. without conditions. Tho
proposition was of course very cheer
| fully accepted. Nearly 100 stalwart
| Texan Ttancers-tall, stout. robust
| looking fellows-fclI into our hands a
prisoners. with three heavy guns. n
| large quantity Of stores. and munitions
of war. One company from each OF
the Maine regiments marched within
| the works and took possession. The
| rebel flag was hauled down and the
| stars and stripes thrown to the breeze
| in its stead. The captured position
was known IS Fort Semmcs. 1T com
| manded the approaches to Corpus
| Christi Bay and a section OF country
| of great Importance. The troops tar
| Rcd at Fort ScmmcS nearly a week, a
Very fortunate occurrence, the com
mand being weary and "foot-sorc," the
! pedal eXtrcmtios requiring careful
nursing to ensure effective service
during the remainder of the coast cam
paign. and tho assault upon Fort
! EsperanZa. further down the coast.
whose capture was accomplished with
! far greater difficulties. the rebels
blowing up the fort finally, and run
ming away. garrison of 800 to 100,
all escaping but six or eight.
| Recalling that he was western
man and that in his brigade was an
! Iowa regiment and a Missouri battery.
this para graph from the story" as to
the capture Of the fag seems an cs-
sential addenGa:
A very gratifying episode Of our
! bloodless victory at Fort Scmmes was
the graceful congratulatory address of
! Gen. Ransom to the two Maine rcgi-
! ments, on the parade ground fronting
| the fort, as soon the terms of capt.
! tulation had been agreed upon. Cen
! Ransom pleasantly complimented the
/ Maine troops upon their endurance and
| perseverance, during the exceptionally
! fatisuirg march up the island and the
| steadiness and soldierly bearing mani
| tested as they advanced in line to
| torn the Cncmy'S Works-haNi ing not
the remotest idea az to what they were
, to encounter--and expressing his very
high apprecia ton of the soldierly bear
| ing Of bot h officers and soldiers. -
IN his official report of the incident the
General not only repeated this COM
mendation, but he also severely ar
, ia gns the very unsoldierlike conduct
on the part. of the commander of the
Iowa regiment. who, he SAYS, constant
~ discouraged his men by complain
ing in their presence OF the hardships
! of tho MARCH. permitting them to
| Stracgle, scatter. etc.
Return that Flag? Never. never!