COMMODORE DAVID GLASGOW FARRAGUT.COMMODORE DAVID GLASGOW FARRAGUT.
Being a stranger in that neighborhood, he was regarded with suspicion. He was fond of taking long walks, and it is said that some of the people suspected that he belonged to a gang of plotters who intended to cut the Croton Aqueduct, but the quiet man was simply awaiting the summons of his country to serve her in any capacity possible.
The call came in the spring of 1861, when he was about threescore years old. His duty was that of serving on the board appointed by Congress to retire superannuated officers from the active service. This duty completed, he was appointed to the command of the expedition organized for the capture of New Orleans. He sailed from Hampton Roads on the 3d of February, 1862, in the flagshipHartfordand arrivedseventeen days later at Ship Island, the place of rendezvous. There he set to work to make his arrangements for the great task which was wholly different from any that had ever engaged his attention. But how well he completed this grand work, he being the real supervisor and superintendent, has been referred to in a previous chapter and is told in every history of our country.
CAPTURE OF NEW ORLEANS—ATTACK ON FORT PHILIP.CAPTURE OF NEW ORLEANS—ATTACK ON FORT PHILIP.
The skill and courage displayed by Farragut in the capture of New Orleans attracted national attention and added greatly to his reputation. In the latter part of June he ran the batteries of Vicksburg, but notified the Government that though he could go up and down the river as he chose and silence the batteries when he pleased, no substantial good would result unless a land force of ten or twelve thousand men attacked the town from the rear. It was this plan which brought about the capture of Vicksburg by General Grant and the opening of the Mississippi River. Farragut, who had been made rear admiral, afforded great aid in taking Port Hudson and cleaning out all rebel fortifications along the Father of Waters.
This immense work having been accomplished, the Government now gave its attention to Mobile, another of the Confederate strongholds in the South. Thecampaign arranged was to attack it with a land force under the command of Generals Canby and Granger and a naval force under Farragut. In January, 1864, he made a reconnaissance of Mobile Bay and informed the Government that if it would supply him with a slight additional force he would attack and capture it at once. He knew that the defences were being strengthened every day and repeatedly urged that he be furnished with the means of making an immediate assault. But the ill-advised and disastrous expedition of Banks up the Red River took away the available troops and the appeal of Farragut remained unheeded until the summer was well advanced.
By that time the defences of Mobile were well nigh impregnable. Fort Gaines, on Dauphin Island, had a garrison of 864 men and mounted three 10-inch columbiads, four 32-pounder rifled guns and twenty smoothbore guns of 32, 24 and 18-pound calibres. The principal pass to Mississippi Sound was commanded by Fort Powell, with one mounted 10-inch gun, one 8-inch columbiad and four rifled guns. The main fortification was Fort Morgan, whose heavy guns were placed in three tiers. It mounted seven 10-inch, three 8-inch and twenty-two 32-pounder smoothbore guns and two 8-inch, two 6.5-inch and four 5.82-inch rifled guns. The exterior batterieswere also heavily armed and the garrison numbered 640 men. The bay was filled with skilfully placed torpedoes, some of them of stupendous size and power and sufficient, it would seem, if properly handled, to destroy all the navies of the world.
All arrangements being completed, the signal for the advance was hoisted at daylight, August 5, 1864. The Union fleet consisted of 21 wooden vessels and 6 ironclads. The wooden vessels sailed in pairs, the larger on the starboard, so that if either was disabled the other could carry it along. Farragut's intention was to lead with the flagshipHartford, but he reluctantly allowed theBrooklynto take that post, since she carried four chase guns to theHartford'sone and was provided with an ingenious apparatus for picking up torpedoes. It was contended further that the flagship would be the special target of the enemy, a fact that was likely to cripple her and prevent the employment of the all-important signals. The last argument bore no weight with Farragut, who replied that she would be the chief target anyway, no matter what the position, and exposure to fire was one of the penalties of rank in the navy. The monitors were to advance in single file, slightly in advance of the wooden ships, theTecumseh, Commander Tunis A.M. Craven, in the lead.
IN MOBILE BAY.IN MOBILE BAY.
In this order the slow advance was begun and at a few minutes past seven theTecumsehfired the first gun. The forts waited twenty minutes when they replied, and theBrooklynresponded with two 100-pounder Parrot rifles. Under the protection of Fort Morgan nestled the Confederate rams and ironclads, which directed their fire principally at the wooden vessels. The great battle was opened.
The enemy's gunboats and the ramTennesseemoved out from behind the fort and continued firing at the wooden boats, giving principal attention, as was expected, to the flagship, which was struck several times. She soon began returning the fire, still advancing, and repeatedly drove the gunners from the water batteries, but they immediately returned and kept bravely at work.
Smokeless powder was unknown in those days, and, as the vapor enfolded the ships, Farragut kept stepping up the rigging almost unconsciously until he was so high that he was clinging to the futtock shrouds. He had his spyglass in one hand and kept raising it to his eyes. Captain Percival Drayton had been closely watching the Admiral and now became alarmed, lest some damage to the ropes should cause him to fall overboard. He told Signal Quartermaster Knowles to climb the rigging and secure Farragutto the shrouds. He obeyed and passed a lead line to one of the forward shrouds and then drew it around the Admiral to the after shroud and made it fast. Feeling the faithful officer at work, the Admiral looked down kindly at him and said: "Never mind me, I am all right." But Knowles persisted and did not descend until he had completed his work.
By and by the increasing smoke made it necessary for the commander to ascend still higher, in order to maintain a clear view of the battle. He untied the fastenings, and, climbing to the futtock shrouds, passed the rope once more around his body several times and tied the end to the rigging. The picture of Admiral Farragut thus lashed to the rigging has been seen thousands of times in the histories of the Civil War.
While in this perilous position he signalled for closer order. The bombardment of the fort was terrific and produced great effect. Commander Craven, with theTecumseh, singled out the ramTennessee, under the command of Admiral Franklin Buchanan, who had charge of theMerrimacon the first day of her fight with theMonitor. Both were ironclads and Buchanan was as anxious to fight Craven as the latter was to fight him. Craven, fearing his adversary would retreat, pressed forward so eagerlythat he paid no attention to the torpedoes over which his hull was continually scraping. One or more of these suddenly exploded, the front dipped and theTecumsehplunged bow foremost to the bottom of the bay, carrying with her 93 men out of a crew of 114.
This appalling disaster was accompanied by a touching incident. When theTecumsehwas diving downward Commander Craven and the pilot instinctively started for the opening through which only one man could pass at a time. They reached the foot of the ladder at the same moment. "You first," said Craven, halting. The pilot just succeeded in scrambling out, when theTecumsehwent down, taking her heroic captain with her.
The terrible occurrence was witnessed by friends and foes. A boat was quickly lowered from theMetacometand sent to the relief of the survivors. It passed within a hundred yards of Fort Morgan, which could have easily blown it out of the water. But General Page, the Confederate commandant, knowing her errand, gave the order not to harm the boat, which was on its way to save drowning men. His soldiers broke into cheers, but he sternly stopped them, with the advice to wait till theHartfordwas sunk. The boat picked up ten men and officers, while four swam to the beach and were made prisoners.
When the lull was over Farragut headed his ship for the fort, signalling to the remainder of the fleet, which followed close after him. When warned of the torpedoes the wrathful Admiral came near adding a little profanity to his contemptuous opinion of them as he passed on. Wheeling, he launched his whole broadside at the fort, then delivered a second at theTennesseeand headed for the gunboatsSelma,GainesandMorgan, all of which were raking him. Casting off his consort, theMetacomet, he sent her after theSelma, and, after a hot chase, she captured her. The other two took to shallow water under the guns of the fort.
The ships, having passed the latter, were about to anchor when theTennesseewas perceived coming straight for the fleet, with the intention of attacking it. Farragut signalled to the vessels to run her down and ordered the pilot of theHartfordto drive her with full speed at the ironclad. TheMonongahelawas the first to reach the monster, struck her fairly, and, swinging around, let fly with a broadside of 11-inch shot, which dropped harmlessly from her mailed side. Undaunted, theMonongahelarammed her again, though she received ten times as much damage as she inflicted. TheLackawannapassed through a somewhat similar experience but a gunner drove a 9-inchshell into one of the shutters, which was shattered and forced within the casemate. The crews were so close that they taunted each other through the portholes and even hurled missiles across the brief intervening space.
At this juncture theHartfordarrived, charging full speed upon the ram, which so shifted its position that the blow was a glancing one. Recoiling, the flagship delivered its most tremendous broadside, doing no harm, while theHartforditself was pierced again and again by the exploding shells which strewed her deck with dead and dying. Nothing daunted, Farragut prepared to ram once more, when his ship was badly injured by an accidental blow from theLackawanna. But Farragut, seeing that she still floated, called for a full head of steam that he might deliver a blow that was likely to send his own ship to the bottom.
By this time the slower going monitors had arrived and were getting in their fine work. TheTennessee'ssmokestack was shot away, her stern port shutter was disabled, making the gun useless, while her steering chains were smashed. Like a stag beset by a pack of hounds, she was brought to her knees. The white flag was raised, and the sorely batteredTennesseebecame the captive of the Union fleet. Theforts were passed and the victory of Mobile Bay was secure.
::
But it had cost dearly. In addition to the men lost on theTecumseh, there had been 25 killed and 28 wounded on theHartford, 11 killed and 43 wounded on theBrooklyn, the total of all, including those lost on theTecumseh, being 145 killed and 170 wounded. The Confederate loss was 12 killed, 20 wounded and 280 prisoners.
Fort Powell was subjected to a severe bombardment that afternoon and on the following night was abandoned and blown up. Fire being opened on Fort Gaines, it also surrendered. Fort Morgan, the only fort in the possession of the enemy, surrendered August 23, before an attack of the navy and the land forces under General Granger from New Orleans.
Soon after this splendid victory Admiral Farragut went North, where he was received with all possible honors. The war ending soon after, his inestimable services came to a close. That no reward might be lacking, the office of vice-admiral was specially created for him in December, 1864, and that of admiral in 1866. He died in 1870.
Since the war with Spain was undertaken for the liberation of Cuba from the most frightful atrocities that mind can conceive, it was natural that the chief attention of our Government should be directed to the expulsion of the Spaniards from that island. Neither the Ladrones nor Philippines entered into the question; but, inasmuch as they were valuable possessions of Spain, their conquest was a natural and effective blow against the nation with which we were at war.
In view of what subsequently occurred, we can smile at the general uneasiness and fear which prevailed in this country at the opening of hostilities regarding the fleets of Spain. She was known to have a formidable navy and a great many believed it was superior to our own. There was no telling whereit would strike the first blow. Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington and other seaboard cities made powerful preparations against the dread fleet, which in truth was no more to be feared than the ferryboats on the North River, and yet but for the preparations referred to it is more than probable we should have suffered.
The most formidable fleet was under the command of Admiral Cervera. Our own squadrons were engaged for weeks in hunting for it, and it was reported in a dozen different places. Finally it was learned that it had taken refuge in the harbor of Santiago, the city of that name being besieged by the land forces under General Shafter. Immediately the American fleet of Admiral Sampson blockaded the ships of the enemy, determined to hold it powerless inside the broad harbor, for it followed, as a matter of course, that so long as it was bottled up there it could do nothing to help Spain.
No one could know his weakness better than the Spanish Admiral. He had fine ships and fine guns, but his crews were undisciplined. They were wretched marksmen and in no respect to be compared with our gunners, who demonstrated in the War of 1812 that they have no equals in the whole world. Knowing all this, Admiral Cervera was loth to venture out of the harbor of Santiago, and the days and weeks passed in idleness while the monotonous blockade continued.
ADMIRAL CERVERA.ADMIRAL CERVERA.
It was the fear that the Spanish ships would make a dash on some dark, stormy night and escape that led to one of the most striking and brilliant exploits of the war. That is the sinking of the collierMerrimacin the channel of the harbor by Lieutenant Richmond Pearson Hobson, on the night of June 3. That the effort was not wholly successful does not detract from the glory of the brave men who went unflinchingly to what looked like almost certain death.
The companions of Lieutenant Hobson in this remarkable achievement were Osborn Deignan, George F. Phillips, Francis Kelly, George Charette, Daniel Montague, J.C. Murphy and Randolph Clausen. The last named was not one of the original six chosen, but he had been at work on theMerrimacpreparing her for the attempt and hid himself away on the lumbersome craft and they were obliged to take him.
As soon as the Spaniards discovered the approach of theMerrimac, in the darkness, they opened upon her with their batteries from both shores, and she was subjected to a fire which it would seem must riddle her like a sieve and kill every man. But under the direction of the cool-headed and daring Lieutenantthe collier was swung into the right position, and, but for the shooting away of the rudder, would have been sunk directly across the channel, which would have been effectively blocked. The position of the wreck as a consequence was diagonal and left the passage partly open.
LIEUTENANT RICHMOND PEARSON HOBSON.LIEUTENANT RICHMOND PEARSON HOBSON.
Having accomplished as nearly as possible the perilous task the brave party were obliged to remain clinging to a raft until morning, when the Spaniards discovered and made them prisoners. Admiral Cervera himself helped to take Hobson out of the water and was so filled with admiration of the extraordinary daring of himself and companions that he sent a flag of truce to Admiral Sampson with the welcome news that all the men were safe in his hands. They were confined first in Morro Castle and later in the city of Santiago. They were treated with the respect their heroism deserved and on July 6 were exchanged for a number of prisoners held by our forces.
::
Just one month after this exploit, that is on the morning of July 3, 1898, Admiral Cervera attempted to escape from the harbor of Santiago. The smoke of his vessels was discerned over the hills, and the watchful ships outside signalled the fact to the other members of the squadron. A few minutes later the bow of one of the Spanish steamers came into sightfrom behind the Estrella Battery. TheBrooklyn,IowaandOregon, some two and a half miles distant, crowded on all steam and headed for the harbor. The first Spanish cruiser to show itself was theInfanta Maria Teresa, followed by theVizcaya, theAlmirante Oquendoand theCristobal Colon, with the torpedo boatsPlutonandFurorbringing up the rear. TheInfanta Maria Teresa, leading the procession, was the flagship of Admiral Cervera. He sent a shell toward the American vessels, but, in accordance with the rule, it went wide of the mark. TheTexasopened with her big guns and her companions quickly joined in the thunderous chorus.
No sooner were the Spanish ships clear of the harbor than they turned westward and strained every nerve to escape, firing at their pursuers, who were equally determined to overtake or destroy them. TheBrooklyn, further away from shore, changed her course so as to follow a parallel direction, and, as soon as she attained a fair range, opened a tremendous and well directed fire. TheTexas, whose course was somewhat diagonal, singled out theVizcaya, and, unable to outspeed her, pounded her savagely with her shells.
CAPTAIN JOHN PHILIP, OF THE "TEXAS."CAPTAIN JOHN PHILIP, OF THE "TEXAS."
Every movement of the splendid battleship was directed by her Captain, John W. Philip. TheTexaswas struck several times, but did not receive any material damage, while she wrought frightful havoc on theVizcaya.
TheOregon, the finest ship in our navy, which had come more than 14,000 miles from the Pacific coast, was ploughing forward under forced draught, and, with a tremendous burst of speed, shot past theTexasand drew up on theBrooklynin the effort to head off the leading fugitive, while theIowawas doing her utmost to maintain her killing pace and was firing her great guns with splendid precision. Suddenly theVizcayabroke into flames and headed for shore. Knowing that she was doomed, theBrooklynandOregongave her a few parting shots and kept up their furious pursuit of theAlmirante Oquendoand theCristobal Colon.
Just then the torpedo boat destroyersPlutonandFurorwere discovered speeding also to the westward. Lieutenant Commander Richard Wainwright, who was an officer on theMainewhen she was destroyed, was now in command of the auxiliary cruiserGloucester, and, without hesitation, he dashed after the destroyers, though for a part of the time he received the fire of Morro Castle, theVizcayaand both of the dangerous craft he was chasing. But theGloucesterseemed to bear a charmed life, or, more truthfullyspeaking, the Spanish gunners didn't know how to shoot.
Unfortunately for Admiral Sampson, he had gone some miles away to hold a conference with General Shafter when the Spanish fleet made its attempt to escape, but he now came up with theNew York, eagerly rushing forward to bear a hand in the fight. ThePlutonandFurorfled before her, while theIndianashelled the first destroyer so mercilessly that she turned and headed for the mouth of the harbor, several miles distant. The vigilantGloucesterjoined theIndianaand one of the destroyers displayed a flag of truce. She was ablaze from bow to stern and her crew ran her ashore, where she blew up. The second was also beached and deserted by her crew. Meanwhile theVizcayaran up the white flag and theTexasstopped firing. She, like theInfanta Maria Teresa, was on fire and her crews could do nothing but take to the shore in the desperate effort to save themselves.
TheAlmirante Oquendoand theColonwere still fleeing for life, with theIowa, Oregon, BrooklynandTexashard after them. Suddenly theAlmirante Oquendoturned toward shore. TheBrooklynandOregonkept after theCristobal Colon, leaving theTexasto dispose of theAlmirante Oquendo. Butthe latter was in flames and the flag at her stern was pulled down. TheTexaswas approaching when the Spanish ship was torn by a tremendous explosion. The Americans broke into cheers. Captain Philip threw up his hand and called:
"Don't cheer, boys; the poor fellows are dying!"
It was chivalrous and thoughtful on the part of the American commander and will never be forgotten.
TheCristobal Colonsteamed along the coast with the speed of a race horse, but theBrooklyn,TexasandOregonseemed to feel the prick of the spur and ran as never before and as their captains did not believe them capable of doing. TheBrooklyngradually drew ahead and the Spaniard, seeing that escape was out of the question, hauled down his flag. Thus the victory became complete.
The news was just in time to help in the universal rejoicing and celebration of the Fourth of July. The Spanish fleet on the other side of the globe had been destroyed and now the second fleet was wiped out. In the former instance not a life was lost and in the latter only one man was killed on our side, while the loss of the enemy was severe. Never was a more decisive victory gained by one nation over another in the whole history of the world.
All my readers are familiar with the events thatimmediately followed, but perhaps they would like to know something concerning the naval heroes who did so much to contribute to the grand naval victory off Santiago.
William T. Sampson was born in Palmyra, N.Y., February 9, 1840. He was the son of an ordinary day laborer and had few early educational advantages, but he was appointed to the Naval Academy and was graduated at the head of his class. He was on the frigatePotomac, with the rank of master, when the war broke out, but was too young to secure a command during the war. He became a lieutenant in July, 1862, and served with that rank on the practice shipJohn Adamsat the Naval Academy and on the ironcladPatapsco. On January 15, 1865, thePatapscoattempted to force an entrance into the harbor of Charleston, which was one network of mines. Sampson exposed himself fearlessly and the ship met with a fearful disaster by being blown up by a submarine mine. Seventy went down to death as did those on theMaine, while Sampson and more than a score of others, after being blown a hundred feet through the air, saved themselves by swimming until they were picked up. Sampson was commissioned as lieutenant commander in 1866, was at the Naval Academy from 1868 to 1871, cruised for two yearsin European waters and first commanded theAlertin 1874. Appointed to the superintendency of the Naval Academy in 1888, he held the situation for four years.
With the construction of the new navy, Sampson commanded in turn two modern ships, the cruiserSan Franciscoand the battleshipIowa. He was a close student of ordnance matters, gave special attention to torpedo work and was chief of the Bureau of Naval Ordnance from 1893 to 1897. There can be no question of his fine ability nor that, had the opportunity presented, Rear Admiral Sampson, as he had become, would have proven himself among the foremost officers in our navy. It was a great personal misfortune that he happened to be absent from the front of Santiago when the Spanish fleet made its venture, but it must not be forgotten that, in anticipation of such action, he had planned the battle that was fought by the American ships.
VIEW OF CHARLESTON HARBOR, SHOWING THE SUNKEN VESSELS.VIEW OF CHARLESTON HARBOR, SHOWING THE SUNKEN VESSELS.
Winfield Scott Schley was born in Frederick, Md., October 9, 1839, and was graduated from the Naval Academy at the beginning of the Civil War. After brief service on the storeshipPotomache was promoted to master in 1861, and served on theWinona, of the West Gulf blockading squadron, 1862-63. He there gained a taste of real war and performed anumber of exploits which proved his coolness and daring. He received honorable mention for his services in the engagements which led to the capture of Port Hudson. He was commissioned lieutenant in July, 1862, and was executive officer of theWatereefrom 1864 to 1865, having been made lieutenant commander in July, 1866, after which he spent three years again at the Naval Academy, serving as instructor of modern languages.
Admiral Schley has done brilliant service outside of what is generally considered the routine duty of his profession. When he was in Eastern waters in 1864 he landed 100 men, who protected the American consulate when threatened during a native insurrection among the natives of the Chin-Chi Islands. His most famous exploit was the rescue of the Greely Arctic expedition. In 1881 Lieutenant Adolphus W. Greely commanded an expedition of twenty-five men, which established an observation station at the farthest point in the polar regions then attained. The expedition, when in a starving condition and with only seven men alive, was rescued at Cape Sabine, Grinnell Land, in 1884 by Captain Schley. He was rewarded for this service by a gold medal from Congress and promoted by President Arthur to chief of the Bureau of Equipment and made captain in 1888.
COMMODORE WINFIELD SCOTT SCHLEY.COMMODORE WINFIELD SCOTT SCHLEY.
After resigning this position Captain Schley commanded the cruiserBaltimore, which bore the remains of Ericsson, the great Swedish inventor, to his native land, whose king presented Schley with a gold medal in recognition of this service. He won the commendation of the Navy Department for his tactful success in settling threatened trouble over the stoning of a number of American sailors from theBaltimoreby a party of Chilians at Valparaiso. Commodore Schley is a fine tactician, possesses a winning personality and his work with theBrooklyn,off Santiago, on July 3, was neither more nor less than his friends expected of him.
Robley D. Evans, known everywhere as "Fighting Bob," was born in Virginia in 1846. When his father died he made his home with his uncle in Washington, D.C., where he attended Gonzaga College. In 1859 a Congressional Representative from Utah appointed him to the Naval Academy. It was necessary for the boy to take up a nominal residence in that distant territory, and on the journey thither and back he encountered many personal dangers through all of which he conducted himself with the pluck and bravery which afterward distinguished him in the service of his country. He entered the academy in 1860 and upon his graduation became a midshipmanand ensign, first on the frigatePowhatan, and before he had attained his majority took part in the desperate assault on Fort Fisher. He was stretched on the ground, dreadfully wounded and with so many dead men piled upon him that he barely escaped suffocation. He was wounded twice in the body and shot through both legs. It seemed scarcely possible for him to live, and he lay in the hospital for months. But when a surgeon prepared to amputate one of his legs Evans, who had managed to procure a revolver, warned him that upon his first attempt to do so he would shoot him. The leg was saved, but Evans was lamed for life.
CAPTAIN ROBLEY D. EVANS, OF THE "IOWA."CAPTAIN ROBLEY D. EVANS, OF THE "IOWA."
As soon as he was able to get about he applied for active service and his application was granted. He was engaged in various duties and in October, 1891, he arrived in command of theYorktownat Valparaiso, directly after the attack of a mob of Chilians upon the sailors of theBaltimore. When some of the refugees fled for safety to theYorktownand the Chilians demanded their surrender "Fighting Bob" replied that he would defend them until theYorktownwent to the bottom. Some time later the captain's launch was stoned, for the Chilians hated the Americans as intensely as did the Spaniards. Captain Evans placed a rapid fire gun in the bow of thelaunch, filled her with armed men and went ashore. Hunting out the authorities, he notified them that if any more stones were thrown at his launch he would make life a burden for every Chilian within reach of the Yorktown's guns. The launch was not stoned again.
It is a mistaken though general impression of "Fighting Bob" that he is simply a headlong and reckless fighter. Such is far from being the case, for he is deliberate, thoughtful and tactful. He is a fine scholar, possesses a thorough knowledge of international law and is simply resolute in protecting the rights of himself and countrymen. This was proven by his conduct when in charge of the American fleet in the Bering Sea, placed there to prevent the illegal killing of seals. There was a good deal of friction at that time between this country and England and had Captain Evans been the reckless "scrapper" that many supposed he could not have failed to involve us in trouble with that country. There was not a word of censure upon his course. Out of 108 vessels engaged in the illegal trade he captured 98 and of the several hundred seals unlawfully killed he captured every one. Like all the other officers and sailors who took part in the destruction of Cervera's fleet, he was energetic, skilful, brave and chivalrous, for whenCaptain Eulate, of the capturedVizcaya, offered his sword to the Captain of theIowathat gentleman kindly waved him back and told him to keep the weapon he had used so well.
Captain Evans does not like the name "Fighting Bob", for he feels he has no more claim to the distinction than the rest of his associates. Many of the stories told of his roughness of speech and profanity are not true, though it cannot be denied that he has a habit of expressing himself very vigorously when his feelings are stirred. By his own request, Captain Evans was relieved, September 15, 1898, of the command of theIowa, he having served more than his regular term of sea service. At present he is a member of the Board of Inspection and Survey.
John C. Watson was born in Frankfort, Ky., August 24, 1842, and is a member of one of the leading families of the State. He entered the Naval Academy at the age of fourteen and was graduated near the head of his class in June, 1860. He was a midshipman on theSusquehannain Europe, at the breaking out of the war, and was made master in August, 1861.
It is proof of the worth of the man that he was assigned as navigator of the flagshipHartford, commanded by the lion-hearted Farragut. He becamelieutenant in June, 1862, and flag lieutenant to Farragut in January, 1864.
The reader of these pages has learned something of the great battles of New Orleans, Mobile Bay, Vicksburg and Port Hudson. Watson took part in all of them and none acquitted himself better. In a letter to his son, Admiral Farragut wrote: "I am almost as fond of Watson as I am of your own dear self." In his report of the battle of Mobile Bay, where Watson was wounded, Farragut wrote: "Lieutenant Watson has been brought to your attention in former times. He was on the poop attending to the signals and performed his duty, as might be expected, thoroughly. He is a scion worthy of the noble stock he springs from, and I commend him to your attention."
A squadron of invincible power was made up for Watson in the summer of 1898, with which it was intended Commodore Watson should pay a hostile visit to the coast of Spain. But for the signing of the peace protocol, that visit under its gallant and distinguished commander would have proved one that the decrepit monarchy would remember to the end of time.
Captain John W. Philip, promoted to the rank of commodore for his superb work with theTexasoff Santiago, is brave, modest, devout and fond of practical joking. He is genial, exceedingly popular with his associates and men and one of the finest officers in the navy. The little incident well illustrates his character, when, in the midst of the wild rejoicing of his men over the destruction of the Spanish fleet, he checked them with the words: "Don't cheer, boys; the poor fellows are dying!"
Lieutenant Commander Richard Wainwright performed an unequalled exploit when in command of theGloucester, formerly the yachtCorsair, he wiped out the two torpedo boat destroyersPlutonandFuror. At the time of that exploit he was only forty-eight years old and the youngest man of his grade in the navy. He is a fine officer and is a son of the late Commodore Wainwright, who died in the service of his country during the Civil War. Like many of our naval heroes, he seems to inherit his fine fighting qualities, though it would not be far from the truth to say that such is the rightful heritage of every American soldier and sailor.
[THE END.]