In May, 1856, the Legislature of Connecticut made an appropriation for a suitable monument to his memory, which was erected in Elm Grove Cemetery, at Mystic.--F. D. [_Rev. Fred. Denison_,] in _Mystic Pioneer_, Aug. 27th, 1859.
"The colors on the flag staff were shot through nine times. A fence near by was pierced by _sixty-three_ balls."--_Mystic Pioneer._ The flag has been carefully preserved, and was in the keeping of Francis Amy, Esq.,--orderly sergeant of Capt. Potter's Company, at the time of the attack,--until his death in 1863. Its future preservation should be insured by depositing it with the Connecticut History Society.
Jirah Isham, Esq., commanding the 3d Brigade of the State Militia,--in the 3d Division, (William Williams, Esq., Major General.)
"On Sunday [Aug. 7] a flag came up [to New London] from the frigate _Forth_, Com. Hotham. The object was to obtain permission for James Stewart, Esq., formerly consul here, to take off his family. Mr. Stewart was on board. General Cushing, we understand, replied that the request would be forwarded to Washington."--_Conn. Gazette_, Aug. 10th.
Mr. Gurdon Trumbull was the bearer of this flag, and was accompanied by Dr. Wm. Lord. The boat was rowed to the _Ramillies_ by Noyes Brown and Jabez Holmes. Gen. Isham's explanation of the firing on Lieut. Claxton, under a flag of truce, had not been received by Com. Hardy when the boat with this letter from the civil authority came along side. The bearer of the letter was met, at the head of the gang-ladder by a lieutenant, and informed that the Commodore was much incensed at the insult offered to the flag, and would not receive any communication from the shore until it should be explained. Mr. Trumbull replied that he came as a messenger from the _civil_ and not the _military_ authorities, and was not instructed to offer any explanation: but, as an eye-witness of the transaction, he would state the circumstances, as they occurred. The lieutenant reported these to the Commodore, and returned with a message that the latter was "perfectly satisfied;" that the defenders of the place were fully authorized to prevent the nearer approach of the flag-boat; and that his officer [Lieut. Claxton] was in the wrong. Mr. Trumbull was then conducted to the cabin, where he found the Commodore, in consultation with all the other commanders of the squadron, and delivered the letter from the Borough authorities.