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Capt. E. S. Parker was born in Cumberland County, N. C., June 14, 1838, and died in Graham, N. C., July 27, 1914. He was practicing law in Goldsboro, N. C., at the beginning of War between the States. He joined the Goldsboro Rifles, which was ordered to Fort Mason and, with other companies of the State, took possession of the fort. Later Captain Parker became a member of Company H, 2d Regiment of North Carolina Troops. He went with his regiment to Virginia, remaining until 1862, when he was made commissary of the 50th Regiment, with the rank of captain. While with his regiment in North Carolina he was taken prisoner and carried to old Fort Norfolk and held in close confinement. After several weeks, he and his fellow prisoners-ninety-odd Confederate officers-were put upon the transport Maple Leaf and guarded by a company of Federal soldiers, started for Fort Delaware. Scarcely out of sight of Fortress Monroe, these prisoners captured the entire company and took possession of the vessell. Some of the prisoners were suffering from sickness and wounds received in battle, so only seventy-six escaped. These seventy-six officers were put ashore south of Cape Henry Lighthouse. Reaching Currituck Sound, in North Carolina, they soon found that their escape had been reported and that Federal cavalry were after them. The loyal people of Northeastern North Carolina concealed them by day in the forests and piloted them by night in the direction of the Confederate lines. They were in three squads under different guards. After two week, they reached safety meeting in Weldon, N. C., not a man missing and parted for their several commands.

Captain Parker was the first sentinel posted in North Carolina. After the war he resumed the practice of law, locating in Alamance County, N. C., where he resided until his death.

Should this sketch be read by any survivors of the Maple Leaf, the Graham Chapter, U. D. C., at Graham, N. C., would be glad to communicate with them.