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Maybe the ship will have the lamp oil,
we need.
I don't think those poor souls
are going to make it.
We'll wrack that ship tomorrow
in the morning.
Being that cargo.
was to claim.
Never has the sun risen before you, Robin.
As the sun shines, so come the dawdling emulators.
I'm not on your land.
am I Thornton?
I’m not here to say that you are.
You see any survivors?
No survivors yet,
Quite the catch this morning.
Be off with you.
I have to be about my business.
Heading back with my first load.
What you see?
Something curious about that hatch over yonder.
Be gone with you.
This story treats
Chincoteague Island and the adjacent Assateague Island together.
Because the two are and always have been, inseparably tied
up until the 20th century.
The channel separating both islands was originally quite narrow.
All one had to do was step across
the narrow gut.
As early as the 17th century.
A unique tradition began to take shape, unfolding once or even twice a year.
Horses and ponies left to roam freely on both islands were herded
into makeshift pens to be branded and sometimes sold.
What began as a gathering for hunters
and early settlers soon evolved into a larger event,
drawing people from the mainland who came not only to visit
but to partake in this honored affair.
James.
Look here.
He's an old man over there with that meager looking little boy.
Oh, that be Robin's the squatter,
a squatter.
Those fellows with debts sent over to squat on unclaimed land.
Yeah, I know, but that was a long time ago.
Our granddaddy split up on this land back in the day for people to squat on.
This is how we eat.
I don't recall you ever taken a wife.
Oh, he ain't married.
That boy. That be James.
He came here alone.
We have enough to eat now, James.
Come on.
54 You’re not going to get plump on oysters.
Don't mind the gander.
Robins I seeing you
and the boy out there scavenging for food.
Won't you join me and Mary for supper?
Come across any scissors from that ship's wreck.
61 John be needin’ a cut for some time now.
No scissors for trade, ma'am.
We got plenty of wool blankets, trade.
65 James and I'll be fine.
I don't like oysters.
This is what we're going to be eating
This is our food.
James, now that you're hearing me,
I want to tell you a story.
Years ago, there was a great storm at sea.
There was a ship in the storm.
I heard men calling out.
I heard women screaming.
I heard the ship crack,
and I knew it was lost.
I knew that the people were doomed.
But there was a mother on that ship, James.
And she had a little boy.
And to save that little boy,
she strapped him to the hatch,
and she pushed him overboard
before the ship sank
so that the hatch would drift up on shore.
The next morning, I went out and I looked
and there were no survivors.
It was just flotsam and debris on the shore.
But I saw a hatch.
And there was a young boy
tied to that hatch.
He was alone.
And he was you.
James.
You came here alone.
What doomed
European ship brought James ashore is not certain.
What is certain?
The first European encroachment occurred hundreds of years before
marking a fateful moment in history.
The islands of Chincoteague, and Assateague
rich with the bounty of game,
fish and shellfish, had long served as vital resources
for the native people who called these shores
home.
106 Historians debate
the exact location where the French ship La Dauphine anchored in the vicinity,
but appears that in the year 1524,
two worlds met here.
Ochrau Brinney!
be that you.
My wife Margaret
inherited land over on Chincoteague.
After you grub a pasture,
the livestock and the horses will follow.
I figured you
being best with my horses and all.
Unless you prefer
back to the pigs trough.
Yes, master.
Plenty of rain
forms here for you and the livestock.
Not long after, though, the puddles become brackish.
So get a well dug.
Should you need to call on me.
Both the Bowden's and the Thornton's live on the island.
They'll send word.
Ah other coloreds be working here, too.
You need not fraternize with them.
My Margaret will be keen to hear
about her granted property here.
Fair news will brighten her spirits.
See, we've been trying to have...
Never mind about that.
A lot of work to be done here.
Keep my faith in you,
and I'll send your lady Nell over for visits.
Thank you, Master Stockley.
140 God is with us.
Blessing to dying and those we grieve.
In your mercy, God forgive what we have been
helpless to amend
what we are.
And direct us as to what we shall be.
In the midst of life, we find ourselves in death.
My condolences for the loss of your wife.
Thank you for your blessings.
The tattooed one.
And the others.
They served you well?
Ochrau...
What about him?
Charles, we meet this lonesome day because slavery
is a moral sin in the eyes of the Lord.
That is, if your wish is to be with him in his
kingdom, in heaven.
Know all men
by these that I, Charles Stockley up the county.
The county of Accomack in Virginia.
So impressed with thee...
The fullest sensibility of the equal rights of human nature
to personal liberty, and being desirous of contributing thereto.
As far as the emancipation of my slaves.
Manumitted.
Discharged and set free.
Yes.
Sampson, Able,
Francis.
Ochrau Brinney.
Levi and Ezekiel.
Esther and child Rose!
I do for myself and my heirs.
I ratify
grant and confirm unto the aforementioned
several Negroes and their heirs
for ever.
I have here and to set my hand
and seal this 27th day of September,
in the year 1787.
I know it's not all of them.
Well,
it is a start.
Well,
it appears that Methodist preacher done changed you, like he did
George Corbin and William Parramore
of this county,
perhaps,
or fearing God hates me so.
Thank you, Master Stockley,
for my freedom this day.
I was wondering if if my wife name be called.
No, I’s consign you, but I cannot rid myself of Nell.
If something rubs you wrong, then speak on it.
Just fine, master Stockley, fine.
You've done splendid work here.
Raising cattle, grazing horses.
Be ashamed to leave.
What you started.
You like me to stay?
Free of charge.
I hope it brings you much joy here.
I’s likes it here.
My soul already free.
Permission to come over to see my Nell.
As you please.
You're a free man now.
Ochrau.
Yes, sir.
Have I ever told you about this hat.
My Margaret used to plead with me to
let her purchase me a new one.
I would not allow it.
See, I've had this hat for a long time.
Since the war.
It's reliable,
dependable.
I've grown to trust this hat.
Something like this is hard to let go of.
You understand what I'm saying Ochrau?
Yes. Yes.
I'll send Nell over for a visit.
224 These will provide you much use
Yeah.
Thank you for the hides,
Mr. Thornton.
Sir. You had another run in with Mr.
William Birch, right?
You reckon right and I'll be damned if I will not lawsuit him again.
Oh, here's the fee.
Not yet paid for the work you've done.
Thank you, sir.
Mr. Thornton,
I wonder if you might read on this letter for me.
Come this morning.
Messenger from Martin Stockley.
I'm sorry to be the one reading this to you.
But Charles Stockley, not be well,
and has since wrote a will.
Says lots here that pertains to you.
Ochrau, I’ve given your, boy
Ochrau junior, 14, and son of Nell.
To my son Nehemiah.
For set time to expire at age 21 years.
And then set free.
Any word on my Nell?
Not. Not that, my good eye can read.
Just that Ochrau Junior, better be on his way tomorrow next.
Worry not Ochrau, worry not.
According to Stockley’s will.
you boy be set free in due time.
Go, down!
Moses,
go down!
Moses!
Fellow
Pharaoh,
let my people go.
Go down!
Moses!
Go down!
Moses!
Tell old,
Pharaoh.
Let my people go.
268 You come over
to tax the horses again?
You are any local happen to know
where I'd find a free colored fella.
named a Brinney?
Are you going to tax cattle then?
My business not to come here for tax.
Oh, oh, Ochrau minds to himself.
What has he done?
How about you take me to him? Huh?
Pa. Men coming this way.
Oh. Ochrau Brinney! Be that you?
What is it?
Mainlander wants to have a word with you. These beef’s ain’t for sale.
And if ah... Not here to buy your herd.
I’s can't be bought none either. I’s a free man.
Not here for that.
My name is John Custis from Drummond Town.
Mr. Briney, I'm here to present you
with this here letter.
This a reward?
And in some ways it is
just cross my mind.
You haven't been taught to read, so, Well, it says here,
through the local courts of Accomack County,
in the year of our Lord 1810.
You are hereby exempt
from paying taxes by reason of age and infirmity.
What the courts have decided is, from here on out,
Mr. Brinney, you free of all taxation.
No more money owed on every head of your cattle.
No taxing ownership on your property.
I’s can own property?
You has the currency?
Why not?
Has not paying tax as a reward?
In the years that followed,
it's uncertain who raised James from childhood.
But according to his descendants, the boy grew up as one with the land,
gathering oysters, digging for clams, roaming the piney marshes of Assateague,
becoming much a part of the island life.
You know who owns that
herd of ponies out yonder?
Those ponies
those ponies are owned by the pasture.
I don't quite follow you, sir.
No man can be taxed for those ponies.
They belong to no one in title or deed.
Yeah, I've heard that story many times.
Story about a herd of ponies washed ashore from a shipwreck.
You ever heard any different?
Being a waterman,
it's a whole lot of work here for you.
Not very much food.
Is it worth it?
What is he saying about?
Sit down, James.
Between the broad ocean and the soft bay,
people say we can't make a living at it.
But we have mint the sea.
And she gives up her treasures for us to use.
Remember that James.
James Alone!
Molasses.
Sugar, powder.
Flint.
You have enough found cargo to cast your own voyage.
All the advantages from the sea.
These are the blessings of our livelihood.
And as for the ship, I was told, which brought me here.
I reckon those were a blessing.
You were the blessing, James.
The by God's hand or from the sea.
Where are you headed?
To a sailor's,
talk about blessings from the sea.
James?
Isaac Andrew borne up the island on the waters, was discovered the next morning,
hanging in a pine tree by his waistband, some 20ft from the ground.
His wife and family swept away forever.
At least five souls were lost
in that storm, along with countless head of cattle and horses.
Many locals chose to leave
for the mainland.
A native from New England
arrived after his boat wrecked near the inlet.
He married a local girl and settled in an area known as Deep Hole.
His name
was Timothy Hill, and the home he would soon inhabit
remained in the Hill family for over 130 years.
The home itself still stands today.
Local physician Thompson Holmes
wrote to the Farmer's Register in 1835.
The mad flight of wild horses careering along a narrow level
beach the top of their speed, with manes and tails waving in the wind,
and in forced into the angular pen of pine logs.
You can scarcely imagine the extravagant enthusiasm
with which this exciting sport was anticipated.
It was a frantic carnival without its debauchery, maddened snorts and whinnying
of the whole gang all together formed a scene of unrivaled
noise and excitement.
Who's that?
with pen in hand?
That's what a government counting folks
recording everybody's name.
James Alone?
You came here alone.
That be James, he came here alone!
You came here alone!
This be the courthouse?
What it says outside.
You need a lawyer?
I need a name.
Where ya from? Chincoteague... Have a seat.
Name?
James.
James Alone..
James.
How do you spell your last name?
All right then.
You said it was.
Alone.
Lunn.
date of birth?
Do you know when you were born?
Not the first not to know.
About ah, 1810.
Parents?
All right.
Not the only orphan in the county,
a waterman? Yes.
Sailer... I figured a waterman
with trousers cut, such as yours.
There...
you are recorded as James Lunn.
Very good.
Mr. James Lunn.
Us sailors need a light beacon around Chincoteague.
You and your
fellow sailors be pleased to hear
being in coastal commerce is growing.
The task to find a site for such a light has been given
to the Collector of Customs,
in Norfolk.
a lighthouse, is to be built.
Thank you.
How long have you been here?
Long enough to forget who I was.
Do you ever wish to go back?
Back to what?
I was dropped here
so I was told and this place...
This is all I know.
Do you want me to change the subject
you scatter about
many questions.
Well, ever since I saw and heard about you,
questions kept gathering and gathering.
I didn’t know you saw me.
I saw you,
everyone saw you.
So?
As I live and breathe,
memory of the old world remains vacant.
Gods grace, I wish it would.
Do you ever feel that Providence is at work here?
I do...
a part from him dealing with my memory.
I already done forget your name.
Don't think you ever asked.
You're going to make me wait till autumn?
Sally Hellunso.
Seeing my reflection in the water.
Reminds me of Sundays down on,
Master Stockley’s land.
No work could be done.
Seeing as it Sunday and all.
Being here now
brings about a peace and knowning of freedom.
Before I was stolen over to this land.
My Pa was ruler in another land.
Not a slaver, but a ruler
a fair ruler of men.
And him being a ruler
made me a prince.
Ochrau Brinney... the man believed to be the son
of an African king, stolen into slavery,
then emancipated in 1787, established
generational wealth and bought 75 acres of land in 1811.
Come to think of it, Mr. Thornton.
You still owe me money from the last slaughter.
Oh, oh, I'll have your money owed around the next harvest.
Yeah, sure.
All right.
Here you go. $212 and no tax.
Yeah,
that sure feels like $212.
I usually don't get that money on the first agreement.
Have to sit there and badger man all the way to his grave.
Sure know what you mean.
Makes your mark right here, Mr. Brinney.
He was rumored to be at least 100 years of age at the time of his death.
By 1850, the black community he created reached
27% of the island's inhabitants
Go down Moses!
Tell old...
Pharoah...
Let my people go...
On Assateague
Just two years after its completion in 1833,
the newly erected whitewashed lighthouse, fueled by whale oil, proved to be too low
and too poorly illuminated to ward off vessels from the dangerous shoals.
The towering trees of the surrounding forest began
to obscure the white, rendering it nearly useless.
Yet maritime traffic continued undeterred,
and with it the occasional wreck along the treacherous shore.
The years that followed,
however, brought notable changes.
The island began to prosper with the construction of its first school
and church.
More islanders turned to the seas for their livelihood
rather than the land they once farmed.
Then, on the 10th day
of December 1835, a new chapter was written in Accomack
County records as James Lunn and Sally Helunso
were wed.
For James Lunn
newly married, yet scarcely having known the joy of a full union.
The loss of Sally Helunso was sudden.
Her passing remains a mystery.
Have you any more left from your catch? No.
I'm afraid you're late to walk over, Miss.
That's a shame.
Yes, that is a shame.
Why is that?
If you came
when we turned.
Cause I caught your gaze from afar.
You would have had first catch.
Perhaps.
Thank you.
Thank you for what?
Being approached by you is
allowed me to feel again.
Yeah?
Ma'am, I'm from the federal government
here for the census.
I know it. Name's Charity Bowden,
household head of six.
Is there a man of the house?
He's done going.
Very well.
Would you mind if we go over and sit a spell?
Have it your way.
You have an occupation or a trade?
Farmer.
And the names of your six heads?
Prop yourself up for this one.
Rebecca.
John.
Timothy,
Elizabeth,
George and William.
You get all that?
Yes. Now you going to get off my property?
Got mouths to feed. Yes Ma’am
Would you tell me your name and your vocation?
Henry Savage. I’m a sailor.
Name? Parker Daisy.
Are you a waterman by trade? No, I'm a farmer.
Where are you from? And your name?
I came down from Maryland.
My name is Andrew Stubbs.
And your occupation?
Sailor.
What's your name? And your occupation?
My name...
John Thornton.
I’s a sailor.
Another sailor hey?
Appears oysters,
be food for the poor around here.
Oysters may be eaten by the poor around here.
Whereas taken north,
he used his luxuries by the rich.
I'm a federal officer with government.
I'm here working on a census
Name is James Lunn.
You the only one here?
Elizabeth.
My wife.
How do you do?
My daughter Comfort.
Wasn’t this big this morning.
Delaney’s around here and son John's inside asleep.
Any more?
Working on it.
As the 19th century
pressed on, the island welcomed its first boarding house.
And in 1854, its very first post office.
Years later, James Mathews carried a sack of mail
from Horntown to Chincoteague and brought with him news of war.
The first shots fired
echoing through the country.
By the time
he reached middle age, James Lunn found himself
listed in the 1860 census as the head of seven names.
His wife Elizabeth bore him six children,
and the assistant marshal noted James as being 49 years old.
His occupation simply listed as oystering.
As the new decade arrived,
the island's seafood industry had swollen with success.
Yet, just as mysteriously as he had appeared earlier
in the century, James Lunn vanished from the official records.
On August 16th, 1860.
Thank you, James
Fred, oysters to the shucking house.
You not from here Jim Ed Mathews postmaster,
of these parts.
I'm from Delaware.
Name's John Caulk.
Your new customs collector.
Didn't know we had a collector to see to.
You Yankees
docks designed to ruin our agriculture and our whole way of life.
I assure you, Mr. Matthews, the offices up
north, that I've worked inside have no such design.
Again, who do you work for up north? Senator John Clayton.
I was his personal secretary. Right.
And now you just happened to be a customs collector down here in this area.
That fellow shouldering the fowling piece
that be John Holland, the law around here.
Constable?
I haven't seen either of them walk about before.
Neither one of them live on the island.
And this be Richard Reynolds
and Randall Mason.
And I'm Captain...
Ed Whaley, War of 1812 veteran.
You're one.
I've heard of.
At this time,
bricks were being laid for a grand new lighthouse,
set to stand 142ft tall.
But on April 24th, 1861,
all work came to an abrupt halt when the state of Virginia
and a special convention voted to secede from the Union.
As war talk grew louder, figures evolved
with varying opinions.
The South cannot secede.
Going with them brings our starvation.
I fought for that old flag,
and I'll be damned to hell if it falls before me.
My mind has made up
the old flag stays.
We are seeing signs
that the Union is to be radicalized,
and we're all going to be taken places we don't want to go.
We are oystermen and coasting sailors, not farmers
like the mainlanders, we sell the oysters we raise in Philadelphia
would be our starvation if we secede and cut ourselves off from that market.
Don't you see?
We've little common with Virginia.
We have interest with the state through the sale of our ponies.
We are southern folk Whealton.
I'm a southern man, too.
But like Caulk says we have little in common with Virginia.
We're about to lose our property and face ruin.
Fred.
Ran.
The goods we get from Philadelphia, we trade in our stores.
You mean your store Whealton.
We cannot secede from the Union.
It will bring conditions,
that do not permit or allow our sales to northern markets.
We must get ourselves out under our own
damn steam.
This is my answer.
Whether we dis-union.
Where’s Whealton?
That Yankee flag no longer will fly under Virginia sky.
No, sir.
Gentlemen, we don't want any trouble.
That Yankee flag must come down or the terrors of war will burst over
this island.
We are oystermen and sailors and have little to do with Virginia.
I've heard that before.
But your isolation over here does not make your own state.
Gentlemen,
Chincoteague can not secede from the Union.
Will you take down that flag or we'll take it down for you.
I hoisted that flag, and it don't come down lest we go down with it.
You will die here?
I'll turn you into a fireside story.
You island folks seem to like those.
Don't be thick with me, John Holland, being Constable
and owning that tavern might make you big noise over in Horntown.
But it's got little hook here.
Easy, Whealton.
Reckon Constable Holland brought his pistol.
So to keep the peace.
Don't need iron for the unionists,
thorns stuck in my flesh. Oh.
Oh, oh.
Oh! Oh!
I erected that flag and bell...
as long as I have a dram of powder.
and an ounce of lead and able to use them.
There that flag stays. She isn’t much good.
If she ain't loaded.
Nope, she still has much use.
Ah, enough from you all.
Thank you.
You waterman, you haven't felt the sting of war yet,
but you soon will.
It's Holland, known to be a violent man.
He don't seem the type to forgive and forget.
Not long after sailing out of Philadelphia
with the bill traded goods, a revenue cutter seized all their purchases,
claiming them to be contraband of war.
Since Virginia seceded,
cannot trade with northern markets.
All my goods have been seized
in Philadelphia.
The vote before you is very simple.
Do you reject the ordinance of secession,
or are you in favor of the ordinance of Secession?
One by one.
Cast your vote here.
What Caulk means here
is vote yes to dis-Union.
and leave with Virginia, or vote no.
To stay and stand with the old flag.
Your name please, sir.
Captain Edwin Whaley, no!
Very well, make your mark.
Step forward please.
Richard Reynolds, no. Very well.
Step forward, please, sir.
Your name? Ben Scott, no.
Very well.
Don't be shy, sir.
Please step up.
Joseph Hill, do you choose dis-union? Yes!
Very well.
Please, sir.
Step forward.
You're name? Thomas Birch, no.
Very well, make your mark.
Your name?
Parker Bowden.
No!
Very well.
Your name, sir.
Bill Thornton.
No. Please make your mark here.
And so it became increasingly clear.
The ordinance of secession handed down by the state of Virginia
would not pass on this island.
Here's the vote, John
Good luck to you.
John Whealton
took the vote to Philadelphia, meeting with Mayor Henry.
There, he made a bold statement.
The 110ft flagpole flying above Chincoteague would never hoist any flag.
But the stars and stripes. Showing the mayor the official vote.
Whealton received a rare concession non-binding permission
to reclaim his confiscated goods and bring back more materials.
But just once.
Well, just got the goods back.
I just met with the mayor.
And so the pro southerners were increasingly cavalier in the
Chincoteague Bay as they commenced gun running and stockpiling arms
John Caulk,
was sure to report all the gun running on the bay to naval authorities.
Randall Mason to recorded his own report
about Caulk’s activities.
Wow, we got no quarrel with you.
We just want Caulk, just let us... Enough all of you.
There will be no bloodshed
before us on a Sunday.
Well now aren’t you a fine bunch of scoundrels.
He’s got my pistol!
It's not lost on me.
A dozen authors, write my demise.
Giving up your post?
Time to move the matchstick away from the flame
and flee northward.
I'll stop in Snow Hill a short time.
Pen a letter to authorities.
Be sure to report the loyal men here,
who can be depended on.
Much gratitude Whealton.
My mind has been changed.
Not all new folk who come here to be disliked.
John,
you keep all glory flying.
Bring your shot and shell, hurry!
Bring your powder and lead.
Hurry!
Why them damn Lackeys...
That’s the Bonnie Blue..
The Bonnie who?
It’s Confederate banner.
They coming this way?
They're not attacking.
Not now
but they're fixing that schooner for a fight.
To a H.S. Steelwagon.
Commander, U.S. Navy.
Sir, I have been driven
from the Eastern Shore of Virginia by threats, violence,
and attempts at assassination against me by secessionists.
They are arming and drilling
and boast it from their knowledge of the country.
They can bid defiance to an army of 5000 men.
My list of disaffected persons,
the Fletcher family, including Spencer,
Captain of the Virginia Infantry Company E
Right shoulder shift, arms! Captain Fletcher, word please.
John Holland, formerly a tavern keeper,
now constable and ringleader in putting out the Chincoteague Light.
Holland is very violent.
He was assisted by ex postmaster Jim Matthews
and Doctor Parker
on Chincoteague.
Randall Mason is a bad man
and is very active in giving information to secessionists.
Fred Lewis on Chincoteague
is also very violent.
These men should be made examples of.
A gunboat
and Chincoteague Inlet would prevent smuggling, prevent violent incursions
into that island and Assateague, and secure the lighting of the lighthouse.
The light is of great importance and the shoals very dangerous.
Please put this in the way of being acted
on speedily, very respectfully.
Your obedient servant, John Caulk.
We kill’em.
My 39th Virginia is ready, and we'll shoot in a bits.
Left, face!
Forward, march!
Gunboats on its way.
You the Virginia Island unionists?
We are.
Which among you knows
the inlet shoals and can guide the gunboat in?
That’s a good start.
John Whealton.
Mr. Whealton, I've heard about you.
I'm Lieutenant Murray.
Pleasure to have you here.
Cheers
Riot Whiskey?
Should my sailors and
I be worried about anything on this island.
Well,
few folks have malaria.
I'll have my surgeon see to them.
How about southern sympathizers?
Generally speaking, Mr. Whealton,
I know your position on the island, but
You have no one to worry about here on the island Lieutenant Murray.
But maybe two.
Come on back. Yeah come on back boys.
Do you know who that man was...
that took a shot at my sailors?
That be James Parker.
on Wishart’s Point, one of many you should be mindful of before
detailing you men over yonder.
A belligerent mission that was not
Come on back boys! Simple orders to go over and get poultry and eggs.
Well, it appears
they're all out of poultry and eggs.
That I will not tolerate
my men being fired at.
This morning
at 9:00, we had a sharp conflict with the enemy.
Master Furniss, a word.
Those southern agitators firing those shots
yesterday just digs in my crawl. Sir.
I’m dispatching you with two boats
to go over there and take that schooner
She’s being outfitted right now into a privateer and has cannon.
It'll be a small task.
Just a few southern sympathizers over there.
Gather small arms below deck.
And our orders once we board the ship?
Take or destroy her.
I'll take the steamer in
as far as the draft will allow.
Yes, sir.
Fill those boats boys!
Sailors, load those gangplanks,
they’ll no doubt be needed. How many sailors it count?
Sir, we have 23 men.
Good. 23 is fine. Men
Support will come from the steamer.
I'll take her in as far as the draft will allow.
Let's make quick work of it
Fortunately had gone in with the steamer at the same time.
It being high tide,
I was able to cover the return of the party
Dig them oars men!
About to get lively out here.
Come on in here you Yankee scum!
I’ve been waiting to put you in the ground.
Do wait for me...
Make ready and fire at will!
Concentrate your fire on the Privateer!
Reload! Fire on the Privateer...
Come on, guys.
All told, 300 strong
attempted to cut off two boats from this vessel and 23 men.
Pass me another rifle.
Pass another rifle.
Form a line right here.
Get on ship!
Get the gangplanks.
Ohh! Reload!
Hold the line!
Get over lads. Get over!
The boats after passing through a terrible fire.
Finally reached the schooner.
She’s a ground!
She's stuck in the mud. Finding her a ground,
made breastwork over her.
And opened a deadly fire.
Find what you can and build a breaswork on the deck.
Reload!
Clear the deck!
Clear the deck, set her blaze, and get back to the cutter boats.
Shoulder arms!
Fall back!
With the assistance of a few shots from our long range gun.
Drove the enemy back to a distant,
cover with loss and the boats after firing the schooner,
returned without further molestation.
Acting Master Furniss
estimates the loss to the rebels of at least eight killed and wounded.
As you saw that number carried off
our losses, one seriously wounded
Acting Master Hooker and three very slightly.
I have nothing but praises to bestow on those engaged in the boats
for their coolness and intrepidity when assailed by such overwhelming odds.
They were yet some 300 yards from the schooner when fired upon,
but they preferred pushing on and returning through it
rather than fail in accomplishing their objective.
I have the honor to be very respectfully
your obedient servant, A. Murray.
Lieutenant Commanding.
The vital right to trade
oysters still eluded the watermen, as no license to operate
a boat, catch oysters and ship north, could be granted
an oath of allegiance to the Union was necessary.
Raise your right hand.
Repeat after me.
We do solemnly swear or affirm.
We do solemnly swear affirm. That we will bear
true allegiance, that we will bear true allegiance.
To the United States of America, To the United States of America.
And we will obey the laws, and we will obey the laws
and support the Constitution and support Constitution. So help us God.
So help us God.
Included on that list was Randall Mason.
Whether he was swayed by Whealton or driven by the economic
pressures of the oyster trade, remains uncertain.
By year's end, the gunboat left the inlet
its services needed elsewhere.
For the loyal islanders.
The conflict raged on throughout the war, yet despite their triumphs, no greater
clash ever followed that fateful encounter
with the Virginia militia.
John Caulk eventually returned to Chincoteague,
and by 1866 had built a home on Main Street,
which doubled as the Customs house for the ever growing
seafood industry.
Chincoteague
continued to swell with new and familiar faces.
Jim Ed Matthews, the foremost Southerner,
moved his family to the island,
and with his genial personality, Jim Ed was readily
accepted by his new neighbors, including John Whealton.
Sometimes, as I hear the
waves pounding upon the shore of the island,
I think perhaps the sea will someday
claim Chincoteague as its own.
But when the sky is fair, and the sun shimmers upon the glassy water,
and the soft haze of a summer's day hangs upon the green marsh and forests,
I think of the ocean as the islands lover.
And this I know full well.
And days to come.
When I am far from the little island, I'm going to wish
mightily hard that I was back on the porch,
talking of ships and storms and wrecks and spinning yarns of the sea.
The wonderful, terrible, beautiful sea that gives life and death
impartially to the people of fair Chincoteague.
The reward
for the alliance with the Union was the quick completion
of the lighthouse, and on the evening of October 1st,
1867, a bright beam pierced
the night's blackness and was visible for 19 miles out to sea,
and that light still shines upon Chincoteague to this day.