Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 24.djvu/241

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coniinaud. and rcinarkt-d to the captain that he had seemed to have arms l>tit no ammunition, whereupon Captain Hulla ran his hands in both pockets of his pants, pulling out buckshot and powder-horns, and extending them t<> him, said: " Lieutenant DeLagnel, are these all the men you have to capture my battery and the arsenal ? ' ' "No," said Captain H., "the woods is lull of them."

Lieutenant DeLagnel having satisfied himself that any effort on his part to resistance would be fruitless, not only on account of the number of Confederates opposing him, compared with his handful of men, coupled with Captain Bulla's announcement, that "the woods was full of them," the surrender was accomplished without the fir- ing of a gun, except the salute by Lieutenant DeLagnel's battery on hauling down the United States Flag. Lieutenant DeLagnel, with his command, marched out of the enclosure with their small arms and equipments, and the State troops marched in and took posses- sion. The State troops were kept on guard until the Confederate States' forces took charge.

RETURNED SOUTH.

Lieutenant DeLagnel took the steamer for Wilmington, and shipped by vessel for New York, where he gave up his command, and resigned his United States commission, and returned South and joined the Confederate army, and was one of the most distinguished and gallant officers in the service. He was severely wounded, I think, at the battle of "Rich Mountain," in Virginia, and for two days and nights remained in the woods within the enemy's lines for fear of being taken a prisoner, and without any attention of a sur- geon to look after his wound, and it was in mid-winter, which caused

him great suflfenj i m _^^

Captain John C. Booth was placed in commano'&f<he j arsenal, and

was also an old United States Army man, and thoroughly versed in ordnance duties, and selected for the position on that account. The task of organizing, enlarging the buildings, and adding an armory of construction was a gigantic undertaking. Captain Booth worked incessantly, never considering that every day his bodily strength was growing weaker, until he was forced to take to his bed, and in a few short months he died. He was buried with military honors by his battalion, and I had the honor of commanding the escort. He was an officer of marked ability, a splendid executive officer, and was universally loved by the entire army force. He was promoted to the