Who killed Maj. Winthorp at Big Bethel?

[gary]

I've only heard the one story about the afro-Confederate slave who asked his master for his rifle. There's suppose to be other stories out there. Care to share?

I cannot access the two best sites that contain information that lead me to believe that Sam Ashe killed Winthrop.

But off the top of my head........

Sam was the body servant to a Captain Ashe of either North or South Carolina. Captain Ashe maintained that Sam fired the shot that killed Wintrop. Since not only was Sam firing at Winthrop but Sam was a most notable excellent marksman.

I believe there was 3 people who were eligible to claim the shot but only Sam was considered a true marksman.

YMOS
tommy

Ironically Winthrop was considered a fanatical abolitionist.


I found this.

Histories of the Several Regiments and Battalions from North Carolina in the Great War, 1861-1865, Volume I:

Big Bethel, Virginia, is considered to be the first land battle of the war. It was fought on June 10, 1861. Union Major Theodore Winthrop was killed. The four men who are credited with possibly firing the fatal shot were in the 1st NC "Bethel" Regiment. They were: Private G.W.Buhman, Company H. Private Steve Russell, Company H. Private McIver, Company C. And Sam, body servant to Captain Ashe of Company D.




(Message edited by aphillbilly on November 24, 2003)