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THE

LIFE AND SERVICES

OF

Commodore Josiah Tattna

BY

CHARLES C. JONES, Jr.

MINE HONOUR 18 MT LIFE ; BOTH GROW IN ONE.
Shak. : Rich. II.

SAVANNAH ¦
MOBNING NEWS STEAM PKIMTING HOUSE.
1878.

Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1878, by
John B. F. Tattnall,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

PREFATORY NOTE.

The following memoir has been written in compliance with a request
preferred by the nearest relatives of the deceased. In its preparation I
have been greatly assisted by John R. F. Tattnall, Esq., — the Commo
dore's only surviving son, — who cherishes the memory of his noble father
with a filial reverence and devotion rarely equaled and never excelled.
In grouping s^Be services, and presenting an estimate of the life and
character of this accomplished gentleman, thorough officer, and chivalrous
seaman, I have endeavored, whenever practicable, to repeat his own
utterances, and to convey an impression of his acts and conduct in the
language of those who were eye-witnesses of the events which called for
their expression. Thus will the reader be possessed of the first and best
sources of information, and in them find warrant for deductions the surest,
and apprehension the most reliable.
Rich is the legacy bequeathed by men of pure patriotism, unsullied
honor, and exalted action. Dear to all is a life devoted to the service of
country, to the cultivation and exhibition of the heroic virtues, and to
the pursuit of duty under circumstances the most trying. Precious is the
memory of him of whom we speak. No braver or more loyal son was
ever cradled on the breast of this commonwealth. None more honorable
or capable has she ever committed to the general keeping. During an
active service of more than fifty years, never did he omit an opportunity
to advance his professional reputation, fail in the exhibition of supreme
devotion to the best interests of Flag and Country, falter in the display of
the most conspicuous gallantry, or lose sight of his well-avowed allegiance
to all that was knightly and of highest repute.
In his old age, bearing the scars of battle, and bowed by the weight of
nearly four-score years, in the home of his childhood he laid him down to
rest. He sleeps in the kindly embrace of the mother earth whose soft bosom
his infant feet first pressed ; and those grand live-oaks at Bona venture
which sheltered him in youth, attired in sober green and with pendant
moss swaying solemnly in the evening air, bend as aged, heartfelt mourners
over his hallowed grave. Charles C. Jones, Jr.
Augusta, Georgia, May 1st, 1878.

CONTENTS.

Chapter First.
Ancestry. Birth. School days in England.
Page 1
Chapter Second.
Return to Georgia. Resides at Savannah, and commences the Study of
Medicine. Receives a Midshipman's Warrant in the United
States Navy and reports at Washington. Ordered to the Con
stellation. Tribute to Commodore Hull. Accident in the Potomac.
The Constellation covers the batteries being erected on Craney island.
First engagement with the enemy. Assists in the capture of the
Centipede. Ordered to Lake Erie. Resigns from the Navy and
goes to Washington. Restored to the Navy. Participates in the
battle of Bladensburg.
Page - 6
Chapter Third.
Ordered to the Brig Epervier. With Commodore Decatur in the Medi
terranean. Exchanges into the Constellation. Narrow escape.
Transferred to the Ontario. Enjoys his cruise in the Mediter
ranean. Examples of his generosity. Advanced to the grade of
Lieutenant and ordered to the Macedonian. Cruise in the Pacific.
Duel with an officer of Lord Cochrane' s fleet. Acts as second to
Midshipman Pinckney. Tattnall's conduct in the affair. Challenge
to English naval officers. His courage, and nice sense of honor,
both personal and national. Returns to the United States.
Page - 20
Chapter Fourth.
Marries. Studies Mathematics at Partridge's Military School. As
First Lieutenant of the Schooner Jackal, engaged in the suppression
of Piracy in the West Indies. Ordered to the Frigate Constitution.
Second cruise in the Mediterranean. Returns to the United States
in the Frigate Brandywine. Assigned to the Corvette Erie. Admiral
Semmes' account of Lieutenant Tattnall's cutting out of the Fed
eral. Tattnall's letter on the subject. Confronts Commodore
Daniels. Surveys the Tortugas and selects a site for a fort. His
services complimented by the President and the Navy Department.
Letter detailing the incidents of the survey and the preparation of
his official report.
Page - 28

vi contents.
Chapter Fifth.
In command of the Grampus. Saves an American vessel, and renders
valuable service to British shipping. Captures the Montezuma. His
account of that capture. Cholera on board the Grampus. Relieves
an American ship detained in Mexican waters. Complimented by
merchants and Insurance Companies. Assigned to special service in
command of the Barque Pioneer. Escorts Santa Anna to Vera Cruz.
His conduct upon the arrival of the President in that city. Promoted
to the grade of Commander, and placed in charge of the Boston
Navy Yard. In command of the Corvette Fairfield, and again in
the Mediterranean. Official difficulty with Commodore Morgan.
Assigned to the command of the Corvette Saratoga. Official letter
describing the disaster encountered by that ship. Congratulatory
letters from Brother-Officers.
Page 38
Chapter Sixth.
In command of the Saratoga on the African Station. War declared be
tween the United States and Mexico. Assigned to the Gun-Boat
Spitfire. In command of the Mosquito Division. Covers disem-
barcation of the army under General Scott. Shells Vera Cruz and
the Castle of St. Juan d'Ulloa. Engages the Castle, and bombards
the city on the 23d. Commander Tattnall's letter describing the ac
tion. Reduction of Tuspan. Admiral Buchanan's narrative of the
affair. Commander Tattnall wounded. Captain Whittle's account.
Complimented with a sword, for his gallantry, by the State of Georgia.
Page - 53
Chapter Seventh.
Again in command of the Boston Navy Yard. Promoted to the grade of
Captain and assigned to the command of the Steam Frigate Saranac.
Detailed for special service in Cuban waters. Prudent and efficient
conduct of affairs while in command of that station. In charge of
the Pensacola Navy Yard. Yellow-fever epidemic. Threatened with
violence. Ordered to the command of the Frigate Independence.
Defective equipment of this vessel. On duty at the Pacific Station.
Charges, preferred by Commodore Mervine, dismissed by the Navy
Department. Promoted to the grade of Rear Flag Officer and ordered
to the command of the naval forces in the East India and China seas.
The Powhatan his flag-ship. Movements and services while on this
Station. Treaty concluded with Japan.
Page 67

CONTENTS. Vll
Chapter Eighth.
Receives the United States Minister, — the Hon. John E. Ward, — on
board the Powhatan at Penang. Return to Hong Kong. Minister
Ward. Off the mouth of the Peiho river. Lieutenant Johnston's
account of the affair of the Peiho. Flag-Offic«r Tattnall's report to
the Secretary of the Navy. Official correspondence.
Page - - 79
Chapter Ninth.
Minister Ward proceeds to Peking. Treaty exchanged. Return to Shang
hai. The American Minister visits Japan as the guest of Flag-
Officer Tattnall. Preparations for receiving the Japanese Embassy
on board the Powhatan. The command of the squadron transferred
to Flag-Officer Stribling. Departure for Japan.
Page - 111
Chapter Tenth.
Arrival at Yokuhama. The Japanese Ambassadors received on board
the Powhatan. Departure for the United States. Touches at Hono
lulu. Complimentary letter from the British residents. The Pow
hatan at San Francisco. Flag-Officer Tattnall proceeds to Washing
ton. Welcome and congratulations there extended. Assigned to the
command of the Lake Station, with his Head Quarters at Sackett's
Harbor. Page - - 117
Chapter Eleventh.
Secession of the State of Georgia. Captain Tattnall's views on the ques
tion of Secession. The devotion of a naval officer to his flag. Trying
situation. Resolves to respond to the call of his native State. Re
signs his commission in the United States navy. Letter of accept
ance. Proceeds to Montgomery, Alabama. Letter to Governor
Brown tendering his sword to Georgia. Commissioned Senior Flag-
Officer in the navy of Georgia. Letters of Governor Brown and
Adjutant-General Wayne. Commissioned a Captain in the Confeder"
ate States navy. Assigned to the Naval defense of South Carolina
and Georgia. Page 125
Chapter Twelfth.
Confederal naval operations in Port Royal Harbor in November, 1861.
Page - 133

Vlll CONTENTS.
Chapter Thirteenth.
Attack upon the Federal vessels blockading the port of Savannah. Bat
tery Cheves erected, and manned by the navy. Ineffectual efforts to
defeat Federal operations looking to the investment of Fort Pulaski.
Convoys a six months supply of provisions to the Fort. Pulaski
isolated. Projected assault upon the battery on Oakley island. Con
gratulatory letter to Captain Buchanan on the success of the Virginia.
Page 143
Chapter Fourteenth.
Ordered to take command of the naval defenses of the waters of Virginia,
and to hoist his flag on board the Virginia. Official communications
in regard to the condition of the Virginia and showing the expecta
tions entertained of her future service. Offers battle to the Monitor.
Official report to the Secretary of the Navy. Embarrassing position
of Flag-Officer Tattnall. Letter to General Joseph E. Johnston.
Communication to Mr. Mallory requesting to be relieved of command
if the navy was to be regarded as under the control of the military.
Confederate army withdrawn from the Peninsula. Norfolk abandoned.
The Virginia destroyed. Letter of Flag-Officer Tattnall to Secre
tary Mallory detailing the necessity for, and the circumstances atten
dant upon the act.
Page 150
Chapter Fifteenth.
The destruction of the Virginia necessary and proper. Admiral Buchan
an's view of Ihe act. Plag- Officer Tattnall ordered to return to Sa
vannah and take command of the naval defenses of Georgia. He
demands a Court of Inquiry. Court convenes and finds adversely to
Captain Tattnall. Protest entered, by some of the officers of the
Virginia, against the official approval of the finding. Published
strictures upon the conduct and finding of the Court. Flag-Officer
Tattnall demands a Court Martial. It is ordered. Its composition.
Charges, and specifications of charges preferred. Tattnall's defense.
Finding of the Court. General satisfaction at the triumphant vindi
cation of Flag-Officer Tattnall. Letter of the Honorable J. L.
Petigru. Page 1?9
Chapter Sixteenth.
Return to Savannah. Changed condition of affairs. Relieved of the
command afloat. Official report to Mr. Mallory of naval matters at
the Savannah Station. The iron-clad Atlanta. Commander Page.
Lieutenant Webb. History of the Atlanta. Her engagement with
the Weehawhen and Nahant, and capture by them.
Page - - 220

contents. x
Chapter Seventeenth.
Engaged in supervising the construction of Confederate war vessels at
Savannah. Capture of the U. S. steamer Water Witch. Ordered
to destroy all naval vessels at the station, if Savannah fell. Report
of his action in obedience to these instructions. Retreats from Sa
vannah, in December, 1864, with Lieut. Gen'l Hardee. In Augusta,
Georgia, until the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston. After
being parolled, returns to Savannah. Letter to General Robert E.
Lee. General Lee's response. Removes to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Again in Savannah. Appointed Inspector of the Port.
Page - - 230
Chapter Eighteenth.
Death. Resolutions of the City Council of Savannah. Committee of
arrangements, and pall-bearers. Order of arrangements for the ob
sequies. Ceremonies observed. Burial. Public tributes. Closing
hours. Captain Whittle's sketch of Commodore Tattnall.
Page - - - 240

THE LIFE AND SERVICES

OF

Commodore Josiah Tattnall.

CHAPTEE FIEST.

Ancestry. Birth. School Days in England.
The paternal ancestors of Commodore Josiah Tattnall
removed from Normandy, in France, and settled in Ches
hire, England. Marriage alliances there formed, indicate
the prominent social standing of the immigrants, from
1530, among the gentry of that shire. The family name
was originally de Taten, then Tatenhall, and subsequently
Tattnall. The first of the name who came to America located in
South Carolina early in the year 1700. He there married
a grand-daughter of Barnewall, Baron Trimlestown, of the
Irish peerage. Josiah, — a son of this marriage, — was united
in matrimony, in South Carolina, to the daughter and only
child of Colonel John Mulryne, who purchased the Bonaven-
ture estate, — a few miles below Savannah, — and settled it in
1762. Thither did Josiah Tattnall shortly afterwards re
move with his family, and there he fixed his home. Of
this marriage two sons, John and Josiah, were the fruit.
Upon the revolt of the American Colonies, these lads
accompanied their father, and grand-father, — -Colonel Mul-
ryne, — to England. While maintaining their allegiance to
the English Crown, these gentlemen declined commissions

2 THE LIFE AND SEEVECES OF
in the Eoyal army. Although firm in their support of the
Home Government, they were unwilling to take active part
in the coercion of the Colonies where dwelt many of their
friends and connections. Upon the subversion of the Eoyal
Government in Georgia they set out for England, where
they resided during the continuance of hostilities. In con
sequence of this step, the family estates in Georgia were
confiscated by the Eebels. Because these gentlemen de
clined to bear arms in defense of the infant State of Georgia
against English rule, their property was condemned by
public act,* and they themselves were declared banished
from the State forever. By a remarkable revolution in the
political wheel, some eighty-four years afterwards, the per
sonal property of Commodore Tattnall, — the subject of this
sketch and the grand son of the Josiah Tattnall of whom
we are now speaking,— was confiscated by the Federal
Government because he refused to remain in the service of
the United States and take up arms against the State of
Georgia. It is a curious fact that included in the property
thus confiscated by the Federal authorities were some ar
ticles which had been condemned and appropriated by
Georgia in 1782 as the property of the Commodore's grand
father, but which, upon open sale, had been purchased by
friends and restored to the family shortly after the con
clusion of the revolutionary war.
Prior to the termination of the struggle of the United
Colonies for independence, the younger of the two sons of
Josiah Tattnall, of Bonaventure, — Josiah Tattnall, Jr. 
requested permission of his father to return to Georgia and
espouse the cause of the Eevolutionists. This amplication
was refused; but the youth, — then about eighteen years
* Marbury & Crawford's Digest, p. 82, et sec[.

COMMODOBE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 3
old, — who had been born at Bonaventure, and was ardently
attached to Georgia and her fortunes, — who, upon the eve
of the departure of the immediate members of the family
for England, had protested against accompanying them and,
in the effort to remain, had gone so far as to throw him
self from the ship as she was weighing anchor for her
voyage and attempt by swimming to regain the shore, — in
defiance of parental wishes and in the face of many diffi
culties succeeded in making his way back to Georgia. Join
ing the army of General Greene, he followed the fortunes
of that great and good officer until the close of the war.
In appreciation of the devotion and services of this mem
ber of the family, after the recognition by England of the
independence of her Colonies, Georgia restored a portion
of the confiscated estates of the Tattnalls, — including Bona
venture, — to Josiah Tattnall, Jr. He was honored by his
State and beloved by her citizens. Many offices of public
confidence did he acceptably fill. He is now remembered
as the- third Captain of the Chatham Artillery, as Colonel
of the First Georgia Eegiment, as Brigadier General of
the First Brigade of the First Division of the State forces,
as a member of the Georgia Legislature, as a member of
Congress, and a United States Senator from Georgia, and,
finally, as Governor of the State. His name, talents and
reputation are dear to the people of this commonwealth.
Dying in the West Indies in 1804, at the early age of thirty-
six, his last request was that his body should be carried
to Georgia that it might rest in the bosom of the land he
loved so well and in the companionship of the peoples
who had honored him so often and so highly. This wish
was observed ; and he now sleeps beneath the solemn shades
of those venerable live-oaks which, in commingled grandeur

4 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
and beauty, guard the cemetery at Bonaventure, long the
family seat of the Tattnalls.
Of a father thus distinguished was Josiah, — the hero of
this biography, — born at Bonaventure on the 9th of Novem
ber, 1795. His mother was the daughter of Edward Fen
wick, Esq., of South Carolina ; — a descendant of the Stan
ton branch of the Fenwick family of Northumberland. Sir
John Fenwick, Baronet, of the Wallington and senior
branch, in consideration of his rank, and alliance with the
house of Howard, was complimented with the axe on Tower
Hill in the reign of William III. He died professing his
loyalty to King James, and praying Heaven for his speedy
restoration.* The Fenwick family is one of great antiquity and in
fluence. It points to a famous membership even in Saxon
times, and prior to the Norman Conquest of England, t
Pure blood and an honorable ancestry constitute a rich
legacy for the coming generation, inspiring it with just pride
in the past, and encouraging in the future a generous emu
lation. Such inheritance did Commodore Tattnall possess.
Of it did his character and acts give token most constant
and ample.
Upon the demise of Governor Tattnall his son Josiah
was left entirely an orphan ; his mother having died a
few months previous. With his elder brother, Edward
Fenwick, and a" sister, he was sent to England to be
educated under the supervision of his grand-father. The
boys were put to school near London. Josiah was then
in the tenth year of his age, and here did he remain for
the following six years.
*See Hume's History of England, vol. ix, p. 299.^London, 1825.
tSee Appendix A.

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 5
Of the conduct of the lad while pursuing his preliminary
studies we have little knowledge save that it was exemplary
and manly. Of the advantages then offered he appears
to have conscientiously availed himself.
During his residence in England he cherished fond
recollections of his American friends, a sincere attachment
to the memories and attractions of the family home at
Bonaventure, and an abiding loyalty to the governments
of Georgia and the United States. The spirit of the
father lived in the bosom of the son. On one occasion
when the King's health was proposed at the table of his
grand-father, young Tattnall refused to touch his glass until
allowed to couple with it the health of the President of
the United States. While passing through the Eoyal
Stables and viewing the magnificent horses and equipages
of the King, he turned to his companion and remarked
that it would afford him far greater pleasure to look upon
the President's coach and four. This love for America
was evidently inherited, for he was too young to have im
bibed any prejudices against the Mother Country and her
institutions ; and, while in England, he was the recipient
of the greatest kindnesses from his grand-father and friends.
Among those who manifested special interest in Josiah
were his great uncle, Colonel Boone of the Guards, and
his sister. They were the children of his grand-father's
sister who, as the widow of Samuel Perronneau, of South
Carolina, some time prior to the American Eevolution, had,
in England, married Mr. Boone, an ex-Eoyal Governor of
the province of South Carolina.
Of his school days in England Commodore Tattnall often
spoke with tenderness and affection. They gave to him
pleasant memories which he carried with him to the grave.

CHAPTEE SECOND.

Returns to Georgia. Resides at Savannah and commences the study of
Medicine. Receives a Midshipman's Warrant in the United States
Navy and reports at Washington. Ordered to the Constellation.
Tribute to Commodore Hull. Accident in the Potomac. The Con
stellation covers the batteries being erected on Craney island.,. First
engagement with the enemy. Assists in the capture of the Centipede.
Ordered to Lake Erie. Resigns from the navy, and goes to Washing.
ton. Restored to the navy. Participates in the battle of Bladensburg-
From notes left by the Commodore we extract the fol
lowing :
"I took leave of my noble old grand-father and many
kind English friends about the first of November, 1811, and
sailed for Charleston, South Carolina, in the American ship
Isabella. She was a live-oak built vessel constructed on
Cumberland island, Georgia. For her day she was a very
fine vessel and sailed very fast. We were detained by head
winds in Cowes Eoads for three weeks, during which time
several hundred sail of men-of-war and merchant vessels
had anchored there bound to all parts of the world, and
chiefly to the Spanish Peninsula, — the war in Spain being
then at its height.
" When this great fleet got under way, the Isabella out
sailed every ship except the men-of-war. This fact shows
the great superiority of the American merchant marine of
that day, in sailing qualities, over all others. This supe
riority it still maintains, although the English, at the present
day, in their vessels built for distant voyages, have copied
the American model very closely.

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 7
"While the Isabella was detained in Cowes Eoads I
resided on shore and visited various places of historical
note in the vicinity, thus indulging a natural taste which
has increased with years. When the wind became fair
for sailing, it was a beautiful sight to see the great assem
blage of vessels in the Eoads get under way at a signal
from the men of war and press through the narrow passage
of the Needles between the Isle of Wight and the main
land, crowding and becalming each other.
" The Isabella arrived off the bar of Charleston, but her
destination was there changed, and she proceeded to Sa
vannah. On arriving in the river, the ship, owing to her
great draft, anchored below, and I took passage in a pilot
boat to the city, where I arrived on Christmas morning
before dayhght, and roamed about the city for several hours
ere I succeeded in finding a boarding house. After break
fast I sought my relative, Doctor George Jones, by whom,
and his family, I was most affectionately welcomed. A
fortnight having been passed in idleness and amusement
among my friends, I took up my residence with Doctor
Lemuel Kollock, who had, just before I left home for
England, married my first cousin, Maria Campbell. It was
my purpose to study medicine, in despite of a great aversion
on my part, as I had promised my relations to make the
effort. My kind friend Doctor Kollock, observing my re
pugnance to the study, recommended me to commence
with anatomy, to interest me, and win me to the pro
fession ; but the attempt failed — experience at the dissec
tion table and in the duties of a resurrectionist proving
entirely too strong for my taste. The dissections disgusted
me beyond endurance, and the digging up by the students
of such negro subjects as were required shocked me,

8 THE LIFE AND SERVICES' OF
This invasion of the negro grave-yards was necessary in
days when no other subjects could be obtained ; and no
one dared, in the face of public sentiment, to assume the
role of a professed resurrectionist. Although not of a
superstitious nature, I was highly imaginative ; my earliest
years having been passed in the shade of the solemn
old oaks of Bonaventure, and my memory there stored
with the wild ghost stories of my old negro nurse and
her fellow servants. Consequently, the post of picket on
the occasion of grave-yard invasions was not relished
by me, and my boyish animal spirits were fast giving way
to melancholy. I dreaded the approach of night, for it was
long before I ceased to renew in my dreams the horrid
scenes of the dissecting room. It may be supposed that
under such circumstances my brother students, if they
found me of no assistance in other respects, appreciated
my value as a vigilant sentinel. I certainly kept as bright
a lookout for 'wharlocks' as did poor Tarn O'Shanter on
his way home on his good mare ' Meggie.' At this period
in the prosecution of my medical studies, I made two
mistakes which might have proved fatal in their results,
by sending out wrong prescriptions to two patients. The
Doctor learning these facts told me that he thought I
had better obey my own professional inclination which
prompted me to follow a naval career. In this I entirely
agreed with him, and, application having been made to
the Navj' Department for a warrant for me, I received
the coveted naval grade of Midshipman on the first of
April, 1812,* only three months after my arrival in Savan
nah from England. In those short months, it will thus

*The date of his appointment as Midshipman is January 1, 1812, but the warrant
does not appear to have been received until three months subsequently.

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 9
be seen, I had not only become a Midshipman, but I had
also been a student of anatomy, and a resurrectionist.
Early in June I received my first orders to report at
Washington, District of Columbia. I left Savannah for
Charleston, where I passed a day with my mother's sister, —
Mrs. Christopher Gadsden, — whose only son, Christopher,
commanded the U. S. brig Vixen, then in Charleston
harbor. "I did not meet my cousin, — Captain Gadsden, — at his
mother's, or my early naval career might have taken a dif
ferent direction, and the misfortune avoided of being block
aded in port the whole of the impending war. I sailed the
day after my arrival at Charleston in a merchant brig,
loaded with timber, for the Navy Yard at Washington. The
brig, on the day she sailed, having been becalmed in the
bay, afforded my cousin, — Captain Gadsden, — an opportunity
to visit me from his vessel, and he urged me, strenuously,
to let him take me and my baggage on board the Vixen,
saying that he would arrange with the Secretary of the
Navy for a change in my orders, and thus attach me to the
'Vixen. I declined, giving as one of my reasons that I had
heard that it was not advisable to sail with a relation. Had
I met my cousin at his mother's residence, or had time
been allowed for further parley, I think I would have been
induced to conform to his wishes, but the breeze sprang up
and cut short our interview. I was now at sea for the first
time under orders, in a brig deeply loaded with timber,
including a heavy deck load. After leaving Charleston we
had a steady breeze from the southward, and all things
looked prosperously until midnight, of the same day, when
being in the neighborhood of the Frying Pan shoals, the
Captain, whose watch it was, went on the fore-yard to look

10 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
out. It had been blowing fresh from the southwest all
day, with a considerable sea, and the vessel's canvas had
been reduced to the topsails and foresail. The wind was
about two points on the off shore quarter. Suddenly there
was a cry of 'breakers ahead!' 'Hard down the helm,'
cried the Captain. Down it went, but, in an instant, we
were in the midst of heavy breakers. The brig, having
great headway, came rapidly up to the wind, her yards
being nearly squared, until her sails getting nearly aback,
she lost her headway and took on board a tremendous
breaker which filled her to the rail, filled the cabin, and put
out the binnacle lights. If the Captain gave any further
orders from aloft they were not heard for the roar of the
breakers. The man at the helm saved us. ' Brace up the
yards,' he cried, ' or we are lost !' The men jumped to the
braces and swung the yards forward. The sails filled, and
the brig, gathering a little headway, drifted side-way through
the breakers, which proved to be the outer edge of the
shoal. I was on deck at the time and aided, with my little
strength and less skill, the helmsman. We struck slightly
once. I have been in the navy upwards of fifty years and
was never in greater danger of a watery grave than on
this occasion. We reached Chesapeake bay a day or two
afterwards, and learned from a pilot boat that war had
been declared against England on the 18th June. My
anxiety, under the circumstances, to reach Washington in
duced me to hire the pilot boat to convey me there. On
going up the Potomac we passed the U. S. frigate Con
stellation lying off St. Mary's. It was my first sight of an
American frigate, and I gazed with enthusiastic feelings, —
increased by the fact that we were now at war, — on the
vessel's dark, long hull. As we slowly passed her, her bell

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 11
struck the hour. Its tones vibrated to my very heart, and
the tone of that bell sounds, at times, on my ear to this
day — my seventy-first year. We reached Washington,
where I, in company with several other youngsters, was
placed at my books, under the charge of a naval officer
appointed to instruct the newly appointed Midshipmen in
their duties. Having already acquired a good knowledge
of simple mathematics, I soon passed through the allotted
ordeal, and was ordered, August 1st, 1812, to the frigate
Constellation, then fitting for sea at the Washington Navy
Yard, and commanded by Commodore Bainbridge, with
Lieutenant Thomas McDonough as first Lieutenant. Both
these officers subsequently became greatly distinguished.
The Constellation was at this time the favorite ship of the
navy. She had fought two actions, during the French
disturbance, with French frigates, capturing both of her
antagonists, one of which, however, subsequently escaped,
upon the Constellation losing one of her masts — wounded
in the action. The Constellation was very fast, and was
called by the French ' The Yankee Eacehorse.' She was
very crank, and had an awkward way, without much pro
vocation, of getting on her beam ends. On one occasion
she was knocked down while chasing a French privateer,
but succeeded, notwithstanding, in overtaking and capturing
the chase. On another occasion, while at anchor in the
Delaware, with her air ports open, she was struck by a
squall and tumbled over and filled. The Constellation was
not ready and provided with a crew until late in the fall.
In the meantime we had heard of the capture of the
English frigate Guerriere by the frigate Constitution, and of
the English sloop-of-war Frolic by the Wasp, of the same
force and rate. These victories caused the greatest exul-

12 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
tation throughout the country and a confidence in the
officers and men of the navy which led to new victories.
This exultation on the part of the people was enhanced
by the constant reverses experienced by the army, which,
however brave, could not, in its undisciplined state, contend
successfully against a foe equally brave and perfectly dis
ciplined, led by officers formed in the school of active
European service and seasoned by battle. The officers of
the navy had, before the war commenced, a proper confi
dence in themselves professionally, and were animated by
a desire to wipe out the insult the service had sustained in
the attack of the English frigate Leopard on the unresisting
frigate Chesapeake. The first victory of the war gained by
the Constitution, under Hull, confirmed this confidence, and
that old hero I consider to have been entitled by this
victory to half the glory gained by the navy in this war.
What an oversight it is that this gallant pioneer of Ameri
can naval renown should have passed away without a me
morial having, by his comrades, been raised to commem
orate his services! The confident manner in which he took
his ship into action, and the skill of his manoeuvring, at
once both lowered the confidence of the English and exalted
our own. I knew the noble old Commodore well. Simple
in his manners, and as modest as he was brave, he passed
through life with but little parade ; and at his death his
memory was so far neglected that the usual compliment
of firing minute guns at the various naval stations was
omitted. "When the Constellation was ready for sea it was found
necessary to detach a number of the Midshipmen attached
to her ; not less than thirty being on board. The selection
of such as were to remain was left to the Captain, Charles

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 13
Stewart, who had succeeded Commodore Bainbridge in
command of the frigate. To my chagrin I was one of
those detached, the Captain evidently selecting those to
remain from among the Midshipmen of more experience
and advanced age than myself. The Captain, in parting
with us, addressed us kindly and said that he had arranged
that we should be ordered to the Adams, a ship of twenty-
six guns then fitting for sea at Washington. Deeply mor
tified at this circumstance I called on the Secretary of
the Navy and asked for orders to the Lakes, telling him
that, as I was one of the first Midshipmen attached to
the Constellation, I thought I ought to have been retained,
and that if I received orders to the Adams the same
treatment, when she was ready for sea, might be awarded
me. The kind gentleman, then Secretary of the Navy,
the Honorable Paul Hamilton, of South Carolina, replied
that the Lakes were no place for me, and that he would
re-order me to the Constellation, and let Captain Stewart
know that he had a special desire that I should serve
in her. A day or two after, with my new order, I called
on Captain Stewart, at his lodgings on shore, and reported
myself. He seemed displeased, and, as I thought, treated
me cavalierly. He did not invite me to be seated; and,
having perused my order, he returned it to me without
directing me to report on board the frigate. I left him,
and instead of going on board returned to my lodgings, with
the determination of not joining the ship until the Captain
chose to order me. A few days later the first Lieutenant
sent to enquire why I had not reported on board ? I stated
my reason and, at once, received the order from the Captain
to do so. I expected from this unusual position towards
my Captain that I should find him not well disposed towards

14 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
me ; but, on the contrary, he showed, on all occasions, a
kind regard for and favorable appreciation of me. When
the Constellation was ready for sea she left the Navy Yard
and dropped down the river to Alexandria, where I met
with an accident which might have ignominously closed my
naval career. I had been sent, in command of a boat, to
the Navy Yard to obtain some necessary stores, and was
directed by the senior officer to inform Captain Stewart,
on my return to the Constellation, of the recently received
news of the capture of the English frigate Macedonian by
the United States, (American frigate). On my reaching the
Constellation and reporting the news of the latest victory, it
produced a natural exultation, and was celebrated, in the
manner of the day, by an extra allowance of grog to the
crew, and by an invitation to the steerage, by the ward
room officers, to join them in a " Hip, hip, hurrah !' In
the midst of the enjoyment, I was sent for to take charge
of a boat to bring some one from the wharf to the ship.
It was blowing very fresh, and was intensely cold. Whether
I had ' hipped, hipped,' too hard or not, I can't say, but, in
stepping on the gangway ladder to descend into the boat, I
missed my footing and pitched head foremost over the side.
Fortunately for me the boat was kept off from the side
of the ship to prevent her being stove by the roughness
of the water ; and instead of falling into the cutter and
breaking my neck, I plunged into the water. I preserved
sufficient presence of mind not to attempt to swim; but,
allowing myself to rise to the surface without any further
effort than to throw myself on my back and float, — fearing
that any other course might bring me, with the strong tide
running, either under the ship or the boat, — I was fortu
nately enabled to keep above water so near the boat as to

COMMODORE" JOSIAH TATTNALL. li)
enable the crew to pull me in. Mortified by my involuntary
display of gymnastics, I pushed off for the shore, which
was a considerable distance, and, before I could discharge
the duty assigned me, suffered intensely from the cold which
had frozen my clothes into sheets of ice. The Constellation
now dropped down the Potomac to Saint Mary's, where
the crew were assiduously exercised at the guns and at firing
at a target; — a necessary delay, for the number of English
vessels on the ocean made it hazardous to rely on time
for drill ' being afforded at sea before falling in with an
antagonist. The powder of the Constellation appeared to
be defective and the ship was ordered to stop at Annapolis,
and from thence to proceed to Norfolk. In executing this
order the ship anchored in Hampton Eoads."
Here the notes abruptly end. It is a matter of sincere
regret that Commodore Tattnall did not complete the auto
biographical sketch thus happily begun. Advanced age,
physical infirmities, and an unavoidable depression, caused
by terrible reverses, rendered any protracted labor with
his pen peculiarly burdensome.
While the Constellation was lying abreast of Craney island
covering the fortifications then in process of erection at
that place, — the enemy being in force in Hampton Eoads, —
the utmost caution was requisite for her protection.
As the manner in which the frigate was prepared for
defense, on this occasion, was highly appreciated for its
skillful and seaman-like dispositions, it is thought worthy
of being particularly mentioned. So writes Mr. Cooper
in his History of the Navy of the United States.* He
continues: "The Constellation was anchored in the middle
of the channel, which is quite narrow, and on each side of
* Vol. n, p. 278. London, 1839.
4

16 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
her were moored seven gun-boats, on board of which were
placed officers and men belonging to the ship. A circle
of booms, securely fastened, protected the gun-boats from
being boarded, which would enable them to maintain a flank
ing fire on all assailants of the frigate. The gun-decks of the
latter were housed, and the ports were shut in. Great care
was taken that no rope should be permitted to be hanging
over the side of the vessel, the stern ladders were taken
away, and even the gang-way cleets were removed. Board
ing nettings were made of twenty-one thread ratlin-stuff,
that had been boiled in half-made pitch, which rendered
it so hard as almost to defy the knife. To give greater
security, nail rods and small chains were secured to the
netting, in lines about three feet apai't. Instead of tricing
to the rigging, this netting was spread out-board, towards
the yard-arms, rising about twenty-five feet above the deck.
To the outer rope, or ridge-line of the netting, were secured
pieces of kentledge, with the idea that by cutting the
tricing lines when the enemy should get alongside, his
boats and men might be caught beneath by the fall of the
weights. Pieces of kentledge were also suspended forward,
from the sprit-sail-yard, bow-sprit, etc., etc., to prevent boats
from lying beneath, while the netting was here hoisted to
the fore-stay. The carronades were charged to the muzzle
with musket balls, and depressed to the nearest range, in
order to sweep the water around the ship."
On three occasions did the English fleet plan and attempt
a night attack upon the Constellation while in this exposed
situation. Through the vigilance of advanced scout boats,
however, were those intentions discovered ; and the enemy
perceiving that his approach was known, retired.
So soon as the fortifications were sufficiently advanced,

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 17
and block ships prepared for sinking in the channel, the
Constellation was returned to a place of safety. In this
way did Midshipman Tattnall encounter his earliest naval
service in the presence of the enemy.
On the 20th of June, 1813, the British ships weighed
anchor and, with the tide, ascended to the mouth of James'
river where, in the afternoon, they were observed making
preparations to send up a large force, in boats. As much
depended upon the proper defense of the batteries on
Craney island, Captain Cassin, who commanded the naval
force at Norfolk, ordered Lieutenants Neale, Shubrick, and
Sanders, of the Constellation, with one hundred seamen, to
go on shore and take charge of the principal guns. This
party was sustained by Lieutenant Breckinridge of the
marines, and about fifty men of that corps. Most of the
officers of the navy then at Norfolk, and who did not
belong to the frigate, were also employed in the gun-boats
or about the island. Early on the morning of the 22nd
the enemy was discovered landing a large force round
the point of the Nansemond ; and, about 8 a. m., the
barges of the English vessels of war attempted to land
in front of Craney island at a point where they were safe
from the fire of the gun-boats, although exposed to that
of the Seamen's battery. With great precision and coolness
did Lieutenant Neale turn his guns upon them. So effective
was his fire that, after suffering the loss of three of his
boats, the enemy was forced to retire baffled of his object.*
Midshipman Tattnall was then acting with, and under the
orders of Lieutenant Neale, and shared in the credit won
by the officers, seamen, and marines on this occasion for
their steadiness, discipline, and spirit. He was one of a
¦* Cooper's History of the Navy of the United States, vol. n, pp. 915, 316. London, 1839.

18 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
party of officers and seamen who, during the progress of
the affair, waded out and took possession of the barges
which grounded. One of the barges sunk was the Centipede,
so called from the great number of oars she rowed. She
was about fifty feet long and carried seventy-five men.
Captain Hanchett, of H. M. ship Diadem, commanding and
leading the naval attack, narrowly escaped capture by
leaping overboard from the Centipede when she was disa.bled,
and swimming to one of the other boats.
In this, his first engagement, young Tattnall gave mani
fest token of that courage, indifference to danger, and
brilliant action, which so signally characterized him during
his long and honorable career.
In April, 1814, he was ordered by Captain Gordon, of
the Constellation, to report to Lieutenant Kennedy, of Nor
folk, to assist in conveying sixty men from that place to
Lake Erie. Arrived at Lake Erie, his further orders
were to report for duty to Captain Sinclair, of the Navy.
Upon presenting himself, he was entrusted by Lieutenant
Kennedy with the sole conduct of the men. This special
service was satisfactorily performed and he would probably
have remained with the Lake Erie squadron until the end
of the war, but for official treatment by his commanding
officer which he deemed unjust, undignified, and the result
of personal animosity. It occurred on this wise : Mid
shipman Tattnall, then a youth of eighteen years, was
detailed to discover and arrest deserters. One of the men
resisted arrest and was thereupon chastised by Tattnall,
who succeeded in conquering and bringing him in. The
deserter had the effrontery to report the chastisement he
had received, and to lodge a complaint against the Mid
shipman. In considering the matter his commanding offi-

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 19
cer took occasion to criticise severely the conduct of, and
to find fault with, Midshipman Tattnall. Stung to the
quick by the injustice of the procedure, and unable to
demand the satisfaction which he desired from an officer
much his superior in rank, he at once tendered his resigna
tion and was permitted to leave the station.
Proceeding to Washington he laid the facts of the case
before ex-Governor George M. Troup, who was then a
Senator from Georgia. By him was he persuaded to re
consider his determination to quit the service. After some
difficulty, Mr. Troup succeeded in securing his restoration
to the navy. While awaiting the action of the Secretary of
the Navy, the city of Washington was captured by the
EngHsh forces under Major General Eoss and Eear Admiral
Cockburn. Attaching himself, as a volunteer, to a company
composed of the employes in the Navy Yard, Mr. Tattnall
participated in the battle of Bladensburg. On the retreat
from that disastrous field, Mr. Calvert, — a prominent gen
tleman of the neighborhood, — found him, quite exhausted
by rapid marches and the fatigues of the day, bathing his
inflamed feet at a spring. Compassionating" his youth and
suffering condition, he invited him to his house. Too proud
to present himself as a fugitive, Tattnall politely, yet per
sistently, declined the generous invitation, and, so soon as
his present fatigue and pains were somewhat alleviated,
pursued his way, he scarcely knew whither, as the English
forces were already well advanced in their mission of de
vastation and ruin. We here recognize an early indication
of that lofty, self-reliant spirit which attained such wonder
ful development in maturer years.

CHAPTEE THIED.

Ordered to the brig Epervier. With Commodore Decatur in the Medi
terranean. Exchanges into the Constellation. Narrow escape. Trans
ferred to the Ontario. Enjoys his cruise in the Mediterranean. Ex
amples of his generosity. Advanced to the grade of Lieutenant and
ordered to the Macedonian. Cruise in the Pacific. Duel with an offi
cer in Lord Cochrane's fleet. Acts as second to Midshipman Piuckney.
Tattnall's conduct in the affair. Challenge to Eaglish naval officers.
His courage, and nice sense of honor, both personal and national. Re
turns to the United States.
On the 10th day of October, 1814, Midshipman Tattnall
was ordered to the brig Epervier, then at Savannah, Georgia.
This vessel was a prize which had been captured a short
time previously by the United States corvette Peacock. In
her Tattnall remained until the termination of the war ;
seeing no sea service during that period.
Shortly after the ratification of a treaty of peace with
England, the Dey of Algiers, in violation of the treaty of
1795, had committed violent outrages upon American com
merce within his waters. For the chastisement of this pirat
ical power a fleet was rapidly concentrated by the United
States in the Mediterranean. Of this squadron the Epervier
formed one of the vessels, and in her Tattnall proceeded to
the scene of active operations. He was present in one or
two affairs of secondary moment, but the achievements of
the gallant Decatur soon brought the Dey to terms and
secured for the United States indemnity for the past and
substantial pledges for the future. Peace being concluded
while the naval force was concentrated off Algiers, the
squadron was speedily reduced and the Epervier ordered

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 21
home. Urged by a brother officer who was attached to the
Constellation, — which vessel was to remain in the Mediterra
nean, — to exchange with him, Tattnall consented. Appli
cation in form was submitted, and approved by the com
manding officer. The exchange was effected, and the even
ing before the Epervier set sail on her homeward bound
voyage he reported on board the Constellation. After pass
ing through the straits of Gibraltar, that vessel was never
more seen or heard of. She perished in the wide ocean,
and all officers and men on board were lost.
It does, indeed, appear that
" Man's life is all a mist, and in the dark
Our fortunes meet us."
After serving some eighteen months in the Constellation,
Midshipman Tattnall was, on the first of January, 1817,
transferred to the corvette Ontario, in which he remained
on the Mediterranean station until towards the close of the
year, when that vessel was recalled to the waters of the
United States and paid off. This term of service in the
Mediterranean and its dependent seas was exceedingly
attractive and profitable to our young friend, affording op
portunity for companionship with the polite and the accom
plished, bringing him into intimate acquaintance with classic
scenes, and localities famous in history, and introducing
him to the knowledge of various peoples and customs. With
keenest relish and genuine appreciation did he pursue the
avenues of information and improvement thus opened. The
ameliorating, elevating, and catholic influences of travel are
perhaps best illustrated in the case of an intelligent, ob
servant, naval officer.
A circumstance occurred while he was attached to the

22 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
Ontario forcibly illustrating a trait which characterized
Commodore Tattnall throughout his long life. A messmate,
who was anxious to leave the seivice and betake himself
to the pursuit of a calling for which he deemed himself
better qualified, applied to him for a loan of no inconsidera
ble amount. Although a compliance with the request would
cause no little inconvenience at this distant station, and
leave him, for a time at least, without the means of enjoy
ing the pleasures and advantages which offered their
attractions on every hand, Tattnall supplied him with
the money at the expense of his own comfort and enjoy
ment. His companion soon after left the service, returned
to the United States, and died without having accomplished
his purpose or acquired the means requisite for returning
the sum borrowed.
On another occasion he loaned a month's pay to a brother
officer, who subsequently quarreled with him. The dispute
waxed warm, and so severely did Tattnall comment upon
his conduct that, but for the fact that the ship was
at sea, a duel would probably have ensued. The estrange
ment still existing, as Midshipman Tattnall was one day
standing in the gangway looking over the side of the ship,
a common friend approached and handed him, in behalf
of the debtor, the loan. Eeceiving it, Tattnall remarked,
"Well, tell the gentleman that debt is paid;" and, on the
instant, tossed the money into the sea.
Upon his return from the Mediterranean he applied
him'self with great assiduity to such studies as were
peculiarly requisite to enable him to stand with distinction
the examination for promotion to a lieutenantcy. His
advancement to this grade occurred on the first of April,
1818, and on the thirtieth of the following June he was

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 23
ordered to the frigate Macedonian then fitting out for a
cruise in the Pacific. Just before he joined the Macedonian
commenced an intimacy between himself and a brother
officer of like age and rank which, maintained unimpaired
through subsequent years, proved ever a source of mutual
and abiding happiness. The friendship between Tattnall
and Paulding was so generous, close, and pronounced, that
it was recognized throughout the entire American naval
service, and admired as a pleasing example of pure,
unselfish, and almost romantic devotion between two noble
men of heroic, generous impulses, great hearts, exalted
manhood, cultivated intellects, and kindred tastes. For
more than half a century was this intimacy sedulously
preserved, and now that death has severed the personal
companionship, by no one is the memory of the gallant
Georgian more tenderly cherished than by his surviving
comrade, Eear Admiral Paulding, of the United States
Navy. Together, as young lieutenants, did they join the
Macedonian at Boston.
That frigate sailed in September, 1818, but, encountering
a severe hurricane, was dismasted near the capes of Vir
ginia. This necessitated her being taken into Norfolk,
where she was refitted. Setting out thence upon her cruise,
she reached Valparaiso in the following May. Upon arrival,
it was ascertained that the Chilians were equipping a fleet
to cooperate in an invasion of Peru then in the possession
of Spain. This fleet was commanded by Lord Cochrane,
an officer who, from political and other causes, had been
disgraced in England and cashiered from the British navy.
While an officer of that navy, he had exhibited professional
ability and bravery rarely, if ever, excelled in any service.
Around him he had gathered officers from the United King-

24 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
dom. Feelings of bitterness and enmity engendered by the
recent war between England and the United States were
still dominant in the breasts of not a few citizens and
soldiers of those nationalities. Occasions were not infre
quent upon which they found open and violent expression.
Despite his early English education, and the affection he
cherished for his English relatives, Lieutenant Tattnall could
not, with his love of country and her flag, brook the slightest
reflection upon the conduct of the young Eepublic or her
adherents during the late contest upon sea and land. The
language and conduct of one of Lord Cochrane's officers
proving offensive in this regard, a challenge ensued which
resulted in a quick duel with pistols : — Tattnall's antagonist
retiring from the field with a bullet in his shoulder.
After a long cruise, during which various points of interest
on the Pacific coast were visited, the Macedonian returned to
the squadron headquarters at Valparaiso. The temper of
the officers of the Anglo-Chilian fleet towards the officers
of the United States navy there present was still by no
means cordial or agreeable. Desiring, as far as practica
ble, to avoid the chances of a personal collision with Lord
Cochrane's officers, Lieutenant Tattnall seldom went on
shore. He accepted, however, an invitation to form one
of an evening party at a hotel in the city. Unfortunately
quite a number of Lord Cochrane's officers were among
the guests. Eichard Pinckney, of South Carolina, — one of
the older midshipmen of the Macedonian. — upon entering
the hotel found himself in the midst of an assemblage of
these Anglo-Chilian officers. An animated discussion, —
during the progress of which Pinckney took occasion to
denounce Lord Cochrane, — eventuated in a violent personal
quarrel. Midshipman Pinckney challenged his opponent,

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 25
and a hostile meeting was immediately agreed upon. Lieu
tenant Tattnall coming in at this .moment, was requested
by Pinckney to act as one of his seconds, — -it having been
agreed upon that each principal should name two friends.
Armed with heavy ship's pistols and swords, the principals,
accompanied by their seconds, proceeded to the sea-beach
of the Almandral. The moon was at the full and the night
was cloudless. Hundreds had assembled to witness the
meeting. Pirickney having given the challenge, his antago
nist named the distance ; — ten paces. It was arranged that
the principals should wheel and fire. The requisites being
all adjusted, the principals took their positions. At that
critical moment one of the English officer's seconds ad
vanced and stated that as his friend had heard that Mr.
Pinckney was a dead shot he declined fighting at ten paces,
but would fight at five paces. Pinckney's friends insisted
that the duel should proceed upon the terms as agreed on,
and in accordance with which the principals had been al
ready posted. To this the friends of the Englishman stoutly
objected ; and, amid the growing confusion, there appeared
no alternative save an acquiescence in the murderous pro
position. At this juncture Lieutenant Tattnall walked up to
the Englishman's second who had interrupted the proceed
ing, and said to him : " You are a coward and a scroundrel,
and have made all this difficulty. Now you shall first fight me
at five paces." This settled the controversy. The fellow
backed down, asked Tattnall's pardon, and said his friend
would fight Mr. Pinckney at the distance of ten paces as
named. The duel proceeded. Several shots were exchanged.
The clothing of both principals wras cut, and the Englishman
wounded. The ammunition being exhausted, and the police
threatening interference, a reconciliation was brought about.

26 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
In consequence of the promiment part which Lieutenant
Tattnall sustained in these difficulties, the officers of the
flag ship of the British squadron, then in port, sympa
thizing with their countrymen serving under Cochrane
with the Chilian Government, indulged in some comments
which he did not fancy. He at once sent them a message
by a responsible party that if his course had in any
manner displeased them he would be most happy to fight
them of all grades from the "cock pit" to the "cabin
door." While at anchor in the harbor of Valparaiso a Chilian
corvette, lying near the Macedonian, while flying her
numerous flags and signals to dry them, hoisted the
American flag below the English. Upon seeing this, Tatt
nall had a boat manned and, pulling along side of the
corvette, compelled the officer in charge to run the American
flag up to the masthead.
Fear was an emotion to which Commodore Tattnall,
from his ealiest years, was an utter stranger. Courage
was a marked attribute of his character. In the discharge
of duty and in the maintenance of honor, both personal
and national, he was utterly insensible to danger and reck
less of consequences. Observant to the last degree of the
proprieties of life, and the rights of others, he tolerated
no infringement of his own. His sense of honor was at all
times most acute, and his conceptions of true manhood most
exalted. Affable and companionable in his intercourse with
his brother officers and friends, he never forgot his personal
dignity or suffered intercourse to degenerate into unbecom
ing familiarity. Generous almost to a fault was he, and yet
at all times observant of his obligations. Firm in his
friendships and absolutely truthful in all his utterances he

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 27
was in thought, word, and act a noble example of the brave,
hightoned gentleman, and gallant, accomplished officer.
Such were his characteristics ; and, at an early period, they
won for him a respect and an esteem which increased with
his years and ascending rank. We should not omit to
mention also that keen appreciation of right and justice,
and that utter detestation of unfairness and duplicity,
which he ever exhibited.
In consequence of an official disagreement with his Cap
tain, and impaired health, Lieutenant Tattnall obtained
permission to return to the United States, and reached
home a little in advance of the Macedonian. Upon a careful
consideration of the official attitude he assumed toward his
commanding officer on this occasion, he was fully exonerated
by the Navy Department. The matter at issue involving no
personal disagreement did not interrupt the friendly rela
tions existing between these officers.

CHAPTEE FOUETH.

Marries. Studies mathematics at Partridge's Military School. As first
Lieutenant of the schooner Jackal engaged in the suppression of piracy
in the West Indies. Ordered to the. frigate Constitution. Second
cruise in the Mediterranean. Returns to the United States in the
frigate Brandywine. Assigned to the corvette Erie. Admiral Semmes'
account of Lieutenant Tattnall's cutting out of the Federal. Tattnall's
letter on the subject. Confronts Commodore Daniels. Surveys the
Tortugas and selects a site for a fort. His services complimented by
the President, and the Navy Department. Letter detailing the inci
dents of the survey, and the preparation of his official report.
In 1821 Lieutenant Tattnall was married to his cousin,
a daughter of Ebenezer Jackson, Esq., who had served with
distinction as an officer in the revolutionary army. His
wife was Miss Fenwick, of South Carolina, a sister of
Tattnall's mother.
Being off duty, Lieutenant Tattnall improved his freedom
from active service during the year 1822, by taking up his
residence near Partridge's military school and placing him
self under the instruction of its professor of mathematics.
His purpose was to perfect himself in a knowledge of the
higher branches of a science most useful and necessary to
one of his calling. A twelve month was thus spent in se
clusion and severe study. Then were securely laid the
foundations of a mathematical education which, subsequently
enlarged, enabled him to meet with accuracy and distinction
all the requirements of the naval profession. This voluntary
consecration of his leisure to earnest study at a period of
life when most young officers are inclined to pleasure and
amusement, argues an intelligent apprehension of the scope

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 29
of his professional requirements, and a laudable ambition
to excel in them. It may be truthfully affirmed that he
omitted no opportunity for self-improvement. While he
was pursuing his methematical studies he also perfected
himself in manly exercises and gentle accomplishments.
He became one of the best swordsmen in the navy, was
an expert boxer, and an admirable shot with pistol, rifle,
and fowling-piece. Fond of exercise, he was a rapid and
enduring pedestrian, indulging in long walks whenever prac
ticable. He was never idle ; and, when not otherwise em
ployed, was much given to reading, — his favorite books
being those appertaining to history, travel, and the classics.
In the language of his bosom friend, Paulding, he was at
this period of his life, — and subsequent years brought no
change, — "of a chaste and pure cast of character, of high-
toned and chivalric honor, gentle and generous to all hu
manity, with his friends joyous, guileless, and playful, and,
when occasion called for an exhibition of sterner manhood,
his unflinching nerve knew no fear."
In 1822 a squadron of light and fast sailing vessels was
fitted out and its command conferred upon Commodore
Porter. This fleet was directed to cruise among the islands
of the West Indies for the suppression of piracy, which
had become very common and annoying in those waters.
To the schooner Jackal of this force was Tattnall ordered
as first Lieutenant. She sailed from Norfolk in 1823. Upon
the appearance of Commodore Porter's command among
the Islands, the piratical rovers speedily withdrew. The
Jackal captured no prey and her cruise was uneventful.
The following year Lieutenant Tattnall was ordered to
the frigate Constitution, then fitting out for the Mediterranean.
In this vessel, which bore the flag of Commodore Thomas

36 THE LIFE AND SERVlOES Of
McDonough, he sailed for that station. This service, —
which was marked by nothing of special moment, — afforded
most enjoyable opportunity for confirming the impressions
of, and enlarging the acquaintance with the shores and
classic haunts of the Mediterranean which he had so
happily formed on the occasion of his first visit. During
its continuance all hours of leisure were devoted to general
reading and a personal inspection of localities possessing
historic note. Much benefit did he derive from this cruise.
His reputation as an officer grew day by day. His bear
ing as a cultivated, dignified gentleman was pronounced.
With his associates of all grades his popularity was
unquestioned. He was already one of the marked officers
of the United States Navy. With Commodore McDonough
his relations were of the most cordial character ; and he
was selected by the officers of the flag-ship to break to
the Commodore the afflictive intelligence of the death of
his wife.
Commodore McDonough being in delicate health, and
much oppressed by this great sorrow, sailed for the United
States, leaving the flag-ship Constitution still upon the
station. After his departure Lieutenant Tattnall was ordered
to the frigate Brandywine, in which vessel he returned home
in 1826.
After the customary leave of absence, on the first of
October, 1828, he received orders to report as first Lieu
tenant to Commander Turner, on board the corvette Erie,
then attached to the West India squadron. While serving
in her he materially added to his reputation as an active
officer of conspicuous merit. As the first Lieutenant of
the corvette he claimed the honor of commanding a cutting
out expedition, successfully conducted, the details of which

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 31
are given by Admiral Eaphael Semmes in the following
" Eecollections of the late Josiah Tattnall:"
" I first became acquainted with the subject of this sketch
in the year 1828. I was a young Midshipman, and Tattnall a
Lieutenant in the United States Navy. Only fourteen years
had elapsed since we had come out of our late war with
Great Britain, and much of the chivalry and daring which
had been begotten by that war still remained among the
officers of the navy. The navy was, at this time, a fine
school for discipline and for the cultivation of all the noble
and manly traits of the sailor, and we had in it some as
fine specimens of the naval officer, probably, as any pre
vious age had produced. Prominent among these was
Josiah Tattnall. I remember him well, at the period of
which I speak. He was the first Lieutenant of the sloop-of-
war Erie of twenty-two guns. The Erie (as were all the
vessels of the navy in that day) was a sailing ship, and the
science and art of seamanship were the idols of the profes
sion. Tattnall excelled in both. He handled his ship like
a toy in all kinds of weather, was always at his post in
times of danger, and possessed in an eminent degree the con
fidence of both men and officers. He was in the prime of
life, being about thirty-five years of age, active, energetic,
and enterprising. If there was an expedition of any kind
to be fitted out, Tattnall always claimed his right to lead
it. Piracy still lingered in the West Indies, and I remem
ber to have been one of a boat expedition to scour the
coasts and keys of Cuba under his command. We did not
fall in with any enemy, but that was not Tattnall's fault ;
for he kept his boats constantly moving, and reminded
me of some gallant Knight of old, always eager for the
fray ; and, as night would fall upon his labors after a fruit-
6

32 The Life aNd services of
less search for his enemy, he would exhibit all the signs
of a man who had been foiled in a darling purpose. He
was at this period of his life social in his habits and dis
position, warmly attaching to himself all those with whom
he had intercourse. Like most men of his ardent tempera
ment, he was at times irascible, but his high sense of honor
never permitted him to remain long in the wrong when he
had given offense. The Erie, when ready for sea, took
on board General William H. Harrison, afterwards President
of the United States, and proceeded with him to the United
States of Colombia, to which government he had been
appointed, by President Adams, Minister Plenipotentiary.
On our way to our port of destination we stopped on the
island of Saint Bartholomew, in the West Indies, where
it so happened that Tattnall had an opportunity to gratify
his love of adventure. Spain was then at war with her
numerous South American dependencies, and a number of
our countrymen had fitted out fast sailing vessels, and taken
commissions as privateers in the service of the embryo-
republics. One of these cruisers, called the Federal, in
the service of Buenos Ayres, incautiously captured an
American ship with some Spanish property on board, and,
in disregard of the principle that 'free ships make free
goods,' took the goods out of her as prize of war. Our
Commander, Daniel Turner, — himself a fine specimen of
a gallant naval officer, — on learning these facts demanded
that the Governor of the Island should deliver to him
the Federal, — then lying under the guns of the fortress, —
to pay the penalty of this breach of the laws of nations.
The demand was refused, and a boat expedition to cut her
out was the consequence. A few hours of preparation were
all that was needed. Everybody volunteered, but all could

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 33
not go. The expedition was delayed until night-fall. The
night was propitious. There was no moon, and the passing
of rain-clouds at intervals added to the darkness. The
boats, with muffled oars, pulled steadily to the little priva
teer lying almost at the very muzzles of the guns of the
fort. There was some difficulty in getting the anchor, and,
as the head-sails were hoisted to pay the little craft off
before the land breeze which was then blowing, the fort
opened upon Tattnall ; but just then, as good luck would
have it, his anchor tripped, his craft paid off in gallant
. style, and in a few minutes more he was effectually shielded
by the distance and the darkness combined. The fort fired
several times, but no one was injured. The Federal was
sent as prize of war to Pensacola, and I was promoted
to the honors of a watch officer to assist in taking her in.
The cruise of the Erie ended after a few months, and we
were dispersed by other orders to other ships, carrying
with us many cherished recollections of our late companions.
Time rolled on, and I saw nothing more of Tattnall until
we met during the Mexican war."
As illustrating his characteristic modesty, always observed
when communicating even to those nearest and dearest to
him any intelligence of events in which he had been a
prominent actor, we take the liberty of introducing the
following private letter :
"United States Ship Erie, at Sea,
"Off St. Croix, 9th December, 1828.
"My Dear ****:
"I wrote you from St. Barts, a day or two since, and
yesterday I wrote E*** from St. Martins. By the last
you will find that we ended our negotiation with the au-

34 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
thorities of St.- Barts very suddenly with a Jackson argu
ment. Our prize is now in company with us, but will part
from us to-night for Pensacola. I had at first determined
to take her in myself, but the Captain wishes me to remain
on board the Erie for reasons too flattering to me not to
induce me, at once, to abandon my determination. We
are now on our way to Curracoa, Maracaibo, and Pensacola.
We shall, I hope, be at the last place in a month. I have
nothing new to tell you. I am quite well, and so much
pleased with my situation on board that I cannot be more
so. My cruise has, as yet, been, and promises to continue,
a delightful one. Even the little trifling affair at St. Barts
has been worth 'ten years of peaceful life.' Its influence
is shown throughout the whole ship, and the belief that,
even in these dull times, there is a possibility of seeing some
service more exciting than mere making and taking in sail,
has given us something of a war animation. Captain
Turner told me, in a delicate manner yesterday, that in
his communication to the Department he had made known
fully to it the difficulties I had to surmount in bringing out
the vessel. Don't mention this out of the family, and only
to those of the family who you think will not retail it. Say
nothing of it when you write to Boston. I only mention
it to you as I know it will give you pleasure to learn that
a perfect confidence is established between Captain Turner
and myself, which will insure to me a pleasant cruise.
"Eemember me at both houses. Tell Sawyer I wrote
him from St. Barts. Eemember me to the Alsops, and
believe me ****** "Josiah Tattnall."
In the capture of the Federal, Lieutenant Tattnall gave

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 35
grave offense to the reckless men, — Americans and foreign
ers, — who had sought and taken service under the flags
of the South American States in revolution against the
Crown of Spain. This umbrage was by no means diminished
by the very plain and emphatic manner in which he con
demned the conduct of Commodore Daniels, — in the service
of one of these South American States, — in trespassing
upon the rights of United States merchant vessels. This
Commodore Daniels sent Lieutenant Tattnall a message
from' Baltimore threatening to chastise him on sight. On
receipt of this communication Tattnall at once set out for
that city. Arrived at Barnum's Hotel, one of the first
persons he met was the veritable Commodore Daniels stand
ing with a crowd of friends about him. No sooner did he
recognize Lieutenant Tattnall, than he turned about and
left. Although Tattnall remained in Baltimore for several
days, making a point of it to show himself in public and
at places of general resort, he heard and saw nothing
more of the Commodore, ivho did not chastise Mm on sight.
Detached from the Erie on the 10th of August, 1829, he
was, on the 17th of the same month, placed in charge of
a survey of the Tortugas reefs, off the coast of Florida.
Urged by the Southern members of Congress, and by those
representing the maritime States of the North, it was re
solved by the General Government to construct a fortress
which would practically command the channel between
Florida and Cuba, and cover an anchorage suitable either
for refuge or for offensive naval operations. The location
of such a work involved a careful preliminary survey and
the exercise of sound military judgment. The selection
of Lieutenant Tattnall for the duty was most judicious, and
was a tribute to his acknowledged abilities. As the reefs and

36 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
keys were at the time uninhabited, and the vessels employed
were inferior schooners and poorly supplied, the officers and
men engaged in the survey suffered no little discomfort.
Patiently and most thoroughly was the labor performed,
and the result was entirely satisfactory to the government.
Upon the completion of the survey Lieutenant Tattnall
repaired to Washington and submitted his report. The
locahty suggested for the construction of the fortress was
approved, and President Jackson evinced much interest in
the early commencement and vigorous prosecution of( the
work. Summoned to attend a Cabinet meeting that he
might satisfy any inquiries which might arise, he found
the President on bended knee carefully examining the large
charts spread upon the floor. Both by the President and
by the Secretary of the Navy was he highly complimented
for his intelligent and valuable services in this behalf. The
site selected having received official sanction, the fortress
was built in due course, and by its presence still attests
the utility of this survey and the excellent judgment of
the officer under whose supervision it was conducted.
In the following letter are detailed the circumstances
attendant upon the preparation and submission of the re
port which justified the General Government in fortifying
the Dry Tortugas : "Washington City, 2d March, 1830.
"Dear****: "Have you thought me dead, or have you thought me
alive and that I had forgotten you?
" For the first time since I arrived here I have a moment's
leisure. You can have no idea of the miserable state of
anxiety I have been in. I found, on my arrival, that the

COMMODOIlE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 3?
service on which I had been engaged had, in my absence,
become one of so much consequence that I have been
startled at the responsibility which awaited me. It has
been the theme of our Southern members, who, for many
reasons, are anxious to see a fortress established on the
Florida reef, and I found the President, Secretary, and
Commissioners so anxious to receive the report that I con
fess I was apprehensive of my abiUties . not having equalled
their expectations. I was about to give in a report which
might* subject me to newspaper and other criticism, and
you may (as you know me well) feel how anxiously my
time has been employed. The life we led at the Tortugas
was so miserable that I could only make general notes on
the subjects to which my attention was directed by the
Department, and I have been employed, night and day,
since I have been here, in writing my journal and making
my report. I am still employed on the former. The latter
I handed in to-day. It is highly favorable to the occupa
tion of the Tortugas, and the Secretary on reading it com
plimented me by saving that it was an excellent report,
which he should make the very best use of, and that it
had thrown light upon the subject which the Government
had not possessed before. He walked with Mr. Gedney
and myself to the President, who, on examining the chart
and reading the report, expressed himself in the most flat
tering terms. As soon as the journal is finished a report
will, no doubt, be made to Congress on the subject. All this
egotism, however, is for the ears of the two houses and no
others. ******* "Josiah Tattnall."

CHAPTEE FIFTH.

In command of the Grampus. Saves an American vessel, and renders
valuable service to British shipping. Captures the Montezuma. His
account of that capture. Cholera on board the Grampus. Relieves an
American vessel detained in Mexican waters. Complimented by mer
chants and Insurance Companies. Assigned to special service in com
mand of the barque Pioneer. Escorts Santa Anna to Vera Cruz. His
conduct upon the arrival of the President in that city. Promoted to
the grade of Commander, and placed in charge of the Boston Navy
Yard. In command of the corvette Fairfield, and again in the Medi
terranean. Official difficulty with Commodore Morgan. Assigned to
the command of the corvette Saratoga. Official letter describing the
disaster encountered by that ship. Congratulatory letters from brother
officers. On the 9th of March, 1831, Lieutenant Tattnall was
ordered to the command of the Grampus, a large top-sail
schooner, and assigned to duty in the West Indies and
the Gulf of Mexico. July of that year found him with
his vessel off the mouth of the river Brazos, on the coast
of Texas, observing the movements of the Mexican squadron
which was operating against that State then in revolt
against Mexico. The naval authorities of the Spanish
American Governments appeared to court a difficulty with
the United States by an unauthorized interference with
our merchant ships. Although the Mexican men-of-war
at this time and place gave no occasion for armed inter
vention, the arrival of the Grampus was opportune in that
it enabled Lieutenant Tattnall to save an American vessel
which got on shore among the breakers, and which, but
for this timely assistance, would inevitably have gone to

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 39
pieces. Services of consequence, rendered about this time
by Lieutenant Tattnall to British subjects, were cordially
acknowledged, with official thanks, by the English Admiral
commanding the naval forces of the Crown on the North
American station.
In August of the following year, while the Grampus was
again at anchor off the Texas coast, an American vessel
arrived, whose Captain reported to Lieutenant Tattnall that
the Mexican war-schooner Montezuma had overhauled and
boarded her at sea. He further stated that the Mexican
Captain had treated himself and crew most shamefully,
and had robbed his vessel of many valuable articles. The
Grampus was got under way immediately and commenced
beating up for Tampico bar, — the Montezuma being sixty
miles to windward and having a start of twenty-four hours.
Notwithstanding these disadvantages she reached Tampico
bar two days ahead of the Mexican vessel and captured
. her within gunshot of another vessel of the same nationality
and of like force, and in full view of the Mexican forts.
The Montezuma had a crew of seventy-six men on board,
and was armed with one heavy pivot gun and two pieces
of lighter calibre. We present this spirited letter which
vividly recalls the gallant exploit, and conveys a definite
conception of the disagreeable results attendant upon the
capture : " United States Schooner Grampus
"At Sea, 18th August, 1832.
"Dear****:
" I am at last on my way to the Balize to land the money
I have on board, from whence I am not so sure but I shall
sail for New York.
7

40 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
"Eight days since I was at anchor off Matamoras (Brazos
de St. Jago), when an American schooner (the William A.
Turner, of New York,) anchored near me, and the Captain
informed me that the previous day his vessel had been
boarded and himself and crew shamefully treated by the
Mexican schooner Montezuma, which robbed him of a num
ber of articles. The Montezuma was sixty miles to wind
ward of me, and had twenty-four hours' start, and that (as
she was bound to Tampico) in the short distance of two
hundred and forty miles. Trusting, however, to good
fortune, or what is better with so ill-starred a man as my
self, to the speed of my good schooner, I started for Tampico
in the forlorn hope of cutting her off and capturing her.
In this I completely succeeded, beating her, with all her
advantages of time and distance, two days. I beat up in
four days against a strong current, and, on the second day
after our arrival, had the gratification to make the Monte
zuma haul down her colors in the very mouth of her in
tended port, in sight of the forts, and in gun shot of another
Mexican schooner at anchor off the harbor. The place
and manner of capture were peculiarly fortunate, as it will,
of course, (occurring so near them) be the subject of con
versation with all classes at Tampico, and may cool any
buccaneering propensities which their cruisers may enter
tain. The Mexican armed schooner outside, too, (one of
the same squadron) is bound to Vera Cruz, and will, as
an eye witness, spread the news in that direction, so that
the benefits to our commerce resulting from the capture
will be spread all along the coast.
" This is the pleasant part of the business. Now for the
unpleasant. I took seventy-six prisoners in the Montezuma,
all but five of whom are now on board. Among them are

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 41
forty soldiers (Mexican soldiers!) and three women, and
such a dirty, miserable, wretched scum of creation I never
saw before. They have filled us, fore and aft, with 1 — e,
and, (the weather is hot enough without such an occupation)
this keeps us scratching from morning till night. I heard
a poor fellow describe the effect this morning laughably :
' They don't jump,' said he, ' like a flea, but when they crawl
down my back they feel like a rasp ; by  , they bite with
all four legs !'
" We are short of water ; have but eight days' meat on
board, and but two days' bread ; no cheese, no rice, no
flour, no comforts of any kind ; and one hundred and forty
odd hungry mouths to feed. I must, however, in eight
and forty hours be in the way of falling in with vessels
to and from the Mississippi. I shall keep this open until
I do."Don't allow anything to be published in consequence
of this letter, as the Department will, no doubt, publish
the matter officially. I got a letter from Boerum, dated the
20th ultimo, at Havana. He tells me that he has twenty-
five letters for me, which, of course, now I shall miss re
ceiving as he was about sailing for Campeche and Vera
Cruz, and I shall, without doubt, take my prisoners to some
State to the northward of Florida. The Montezuma mounts
three guns (one on a pivot) and had seventy-six souls on
board. " 24th August.
" I am just entering the southwest pass of the Mississippi.
We have been brought down to two ounces and a half of
bread dust a day, but we are all well, and are filing our
teeth for a supper to-night. I shall not go into the river.
so don't be uneasy, Until I hear from th.© District Attorney

42 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
I cannot determine to what port to return. As soon as I
do determine, I will let you know. Good God ! how long
it appears since I heard from home. Tell my children
how much I love them. More when at leisure. At present
I have not closed my eyes for thirty-six hours, and I feel
as though a 1 — se of twelve legs might bite me with im
punity. ******* "Josiah Tattnall."
While on her way to land her prisoners in some of the
Southern ports of the United States, cholera broke out on
board the Grampus. Pensacola affording the nearest har
bor, she ran in there and put her crew on shore in the Naval
Yard until she could be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected.
This done, Tattnall sailed for Tampico. The Mexicans were
then detaining an American vessel which had taken on
board two hundred thousand dollars, in specie, for transpor
tation to the United States. Anxious to seize the money,
a pretext was gotten up for holding the vessel. Pending
the maturity of the rascally proceedings, the vessel was
anchored, in charge of officers of the customs, under the
guns of the Mexican fort. Learning the facts of the case,
Tattnall proceeded in his boats over the bar, took the vessel
from the hands of the Mexicans, brought her out, and
convoyed her off the coast and beyond the reach of the
Mexican cruisers.
During his term of service on this station, Lieutenant-
Commandant Tattnall rendered efficient, protective aid to
the English merchants at Vera Cruz, which drew from them
a warm letter of thanks. By the Presidents of various
Marine Insurance Companies in New Orleans was he simi
larly complimented for the protection afforded to property

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 43
covered by their policies. Their letters of acknowledgment
were accompanied by a handsome service of silver, in sub
stantial token of their appreciation of his good offices in
behalf of American vessels in the waters of the Gulf.
At his own request he was, in December, 1832, relieved
from the command of the Grampus. During the ensuing
two years he was assigaed to several details, among which
may be mentioned experiments in ordnance, and the conduct
of a tidal survey.
In November, 1835, upon the application of Commodore
Thomas Ap Catesby Jones, he was detailed to the command
of the barque Pioneer, — a member of the squadron forming
the United States Exploring Expedition to the South Seas.
Circumstances to which we need not allude caused an entire
change in the detail of the commanding officers of this
expedition. Previous, however, to these changes, Tattnall
was ordered by the Navy Department, with the vessel he
was then commanding, upon a special service. It will .be
remembered that the war which the Texans were then
waging for independence culminated in the decisive victory
over the Mexicans at San Jacinto. Santa Anna who, in
person, commanded the army of Mexico, was there taken
prisoner. Embarrassed by the presence of their distin
guished captive, and fearing his assassination by friends of
those who by his bloody command had been barbarously
shot to death in cold blood at the Alamo, the authorities of
Texas sent him to the United States and turned him over
to the Government at Washington. It was at once resolved
by the United States to send him back to Mexico, and
Tattnall was selected to execute this mission.
President Santa Anna and his principal aid, — -General
Almonte, — having been received on board the Pioneer, then

44 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
lying at Norfolk, Tattnall at once proceeded to sea, bound
for Vera Cruz. These gentlemen fully appreciated the
danger they were incurring in returning to Mexico under
existing circumstances. Defeated in a general engagement
which compassed the liberation of a State whose open re
bellion he was seeking to crush, — the army upon which he
mainly relied for the maintenance of his supremacy and the
perpetuation of his political power scattered by the fol
lowers of General Houstoun, — with but a single companion,
and about to be returned in weakness and misfortune to
his country, — Santa Anna was under the impression that
his rivals and enemies would cause him to be shot down
so soon as he landed at Vera Cruz. In this conviction
General Almonte fully shared. His only hope of salvation
lay in the protecting presence of Lieutenant Tattnall in
the full uniform of an officer of the United States Navy.
To his honor, however, be it said, he gave no expression
to this trust, nor did he allow his aid to allude to it in the
hearing of any one. Divining the thought, however, and
appreciating the exigency of the situation, Tattnall deter
mined to afford him whatever countenance and relief his
presence might command. Upon coming to anchor, the
news was quickly spread through Vera Cruz that the former
President of the Bepublic was on board, and would soon
land. Crowds collected on the mole, and several regiments
were soon formed in its vicinity. The city was astir with
excitement. In the language of an eye-witness "matters
looked squally." The unstable elements were in violent
commotion and no one could foretell the result. As he
was on the eve of leaving the ship, Lieutenant Tattnall, in
full uniform, taking Santa Anna by the arm said : " General,
I will see you to your hotel." His escort was gladly ac*

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 45
cepted. As they stepped from the barge upon the wharf
and walked up, arm in arm, there ensued a profound silence
in the multitude of late so vociferous and swayed by con
flicting emotions. As they approached the soldiery, a
change appeared to come over their thoughts and purposes.
The salute was given, the bands struck up, and the colors
drooped amidst the most enthusiastic vivas from soldiers,
citizens, and rabble. So impressed was every one with
the bold, manly manner in which this entrance was made
into the city, that the resolution formed in advance to shoot
the returning President on sight was converted into an en
thusiastic welcome. General Almonte afterwards stated
that the uniform and companionship of Lieutenant Tattnall,
and the fearlessness of the entire proceeding saved Santa
Anna from the apprehended calamity, and compassed the
wonderful revulsion of sentiment in the masses then present.
In the language of one* who witnessed the proceeding :
"Tattnall knew at the time the danger of the move, but
danger seemed always a welcome guest • to him. He was
made a lion of in Vera Cruz."
Beholding Lieutenant Tattnall attending their President
as though escorting him under instructions from the United
States and rendering respect and honor to him as the Chief
Magistrate of a friendly power, these mercurial and unstable
peoples passed rapidly from one extreme to the other.
Having seen him safely to his hotel, Lieutenant Tattnall
was about to return to his ship when he was entreated by
Santa Anna to remain with him as his guest. The Presi
dent felt insecure until he could rally his friends about him,
and the presence of the Lieutenant materially contributed
to his composure during this uncertain period. As the
* Lieutenant Geo. T. Sinclair.

46 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
guest of the Mexican President he spent several days in
Vera Cruz, and accompanied him to his country seat in
the mountains on the road to Mexico. When he bade him
farewell he was surrounded by his adherents, and all likeli
hood of opposition had subsided. But for the peculiar
assistance rendered by Lieutenant Tattnall on this occasion,
the probability is that Santa Anna would have encountered
speedy death at the hands of the disaffected Mexicans.
Upon returning to Norfolk, Virginia, in the Pioneer, the
change in the commanding officers of the Exploring Expe
dition, previously alluded to, was carried into effect, and
Lieutenant Tattnall was for some time on leave of absence,
with occasional orders for special duties of brief duration.
In 1838 he was promoted to the rank of Commander and
placed in charge of the Boston Navy Yard. Here he re
mained until the expiration of the period usually allotted
to such commands. With Commodore Perry was he asso
ciated in April, 1840, in ordnance experiments. On the 2d
of March in the following year he was ordered to the com
mand of the corvette Fairfield, fitting out for the Mediter
ranean station, and in July sailed for Gibraltar, conveying
Commodore Charles Morgan, — the Commander-in-Chief of
that station, — whose flag was, for the time being, hoisted
on the Fairfield. From the day that Commodore Morgan
came on board the Fairfield until he left that vessel upon
her arrival at Port Mahon, — the headquarters of the Medi
terranean squadron, — he and his Secretary were the guests
of Commander Tattnall, who positively refused to have
those gentlemen at his table on any other terms.
Tattnall's merits as an officer were strikingly exhibited
while he commanded the Fairfield. That vessel was on all
occasions remarkable for the promptitude and perfection

commodore josiah Tattnall. .47
of her movements. Most efficient was the drill of her crew.
Had the opportunity presented itself, the Fairfield would
certainly have won for her officers and men a brilliant record.
Unfortunately for his own reputation, Commodore Mor
gan assumed towards all the commanding officers under him
a position totally and flagrantly violative of law. While
obeying the illegal orders of the Commodore, Commander
Tattnall appealed to the Secretary of the Navy for redress,
and because he had so appealed was arrested and sent to
the United States under charges. Immediately upon their
examination, the Navy Department dismissed the charges,
and informed Commander Tattnall that he was at liberty
to return at once to the command of his ship, or, if he pre
ferred, to take charge of another vessel, much her superior,
which had just been launched and was fitting out. The
Department visited Commodore Morgan with its official
censure, and disapproved his treatment of Tattnall. Com
mander Tattnall's response to the offer of the Secretary
of the Navy that he should return to his ship then on a
station most pleasant to him and eagerly sought by officers
of all grades, was entirely characteristic : " I have no wish,
sir," said he, " to be instrumental in mortifying Commodore
Morgan further than is necessary to vindicate my official
honor. My return to the station he now commands could
not be' otherwise than officially' humiliating to him, and
could do the service no good." He was thereupon compli
mented with the command of the corvette Saratoga, a new
ship, and one of the largest vessels of her class which at
that time had been constructed by any naval power. Of
one thousand tons burthen, she carried a battery of eighteen
32-pounder guns, and four 8-inch shell-guns. She was
built and equipped at the Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Navy
8

48. The life and servTOEs of
Yard. Sailing for New York on the 16th of March, 1843,
the Saratoga encountered a serious disaster, the details of
which are fully presented in the following letter from Com
mander Tattnall to the Secretary of the Navy :
"U. S. Ship Saratoga,
"Portsmouth, N. H., March 19th, 1843.
"Sir: " I informed you yesterday that the sloop Saratoga unde*r
my command had returned to Portsmouth, having been
dismasted on the 17th inst., and I have now the honor to
make you a more detailed report of the circumstances which
caused that disaster.
"We sailed from Portsmouth at 11 A. m. on the 16th,
with a light breeze from the northwest, which died away
to a calm after having carried us clear of the harbor. In
the afternoon a moderate breeze sprung up from the east
ward, with a strong appearance of shifting to the westward.
At 11 p. M. we had passed Newburyport, and were heading
to windward of Cape Ann, when the wind shifted to east
southeast, and increased suddenly to a severe gale, with
snow and sleet, obliging us to carry a heavy press of can
vas to keep off shore, the snow and sleet, which froze as
they fell, coating everything with ice and rendering it impos
sible to furl the sails, as the increase of wind and sea 'obliged
us to take them in. The main-yard was manned three times
and the men worked with the best spirit, but the canvas
was so frozen and stiff that their efforts were unavailing.
On the 17th, at 3 a. m., the ship continuing to drive into
the land, preparations were made for anchoring and cutting
away the masts. At 9 a. m. we found ourselves close to
the light house on the Isle of Shoals, and bore up under

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 49
the close reefed foresail and main-topsail in the hope of
regaining the harbor of Portsmouth. This was done by
the advice and under the direction of the Portsmouth pilot,
who was still on board. The attempt was hazardous, but
was our best chance, and its failure should not be charged
to the pilot, who evinced a decision and steadiness which
confirmed my confidence in him. The heavy sea, and prob
ably the tide (although allowance was made, in the course
we steered, for both), drove us to leeward, the atmosphere
being so hazy that we could not see more than half a mile
in any direction.
"We first made the breakers a little on the weather bow
and close on board ; bearing up to avoid them we found
ourselves standing directly on to a rocky shore extending
for some distance on both bows, and on which the sea was
breakmg heavily. Not a moment was to be lost. The ship
was brought to the wind, both bowers let go, the chains
veered to the clinch in the teers, 150 fathoms on each, and
the masts cut away. We were near enough to the shore
to be benefited by the under tow, and rode out the re
mainder of the gale in safety.
"In the afternoon the weather having moderated and
cleared up, we found ourselves on the rocky coast between
the mouth of the harbor of Portsmouth and the sands of
Eye, and but a quarter of a mile from the breakers at
low water.
"I cannot, sir, close this disastrous report without ac
knowledging the zealous aid I received from Mr. Armstrong,
the First Lieutenant, and from every other officer in the
ship ; nor is this acknowledgment confined to the sea officers
alone, all having exerted themselves to the utmost. The
Marine officer, Lieutenant Doughty, had been on deck the

50 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
whole morning encouraging the marines by his example ;
and, indeed, the spirit and steadiness of the officers and
men are best shown by the fact that in eight minutes after
the order was given, the ship was anchored and all the masts
over the side without injuring one man out of a crew of
one hundred and seventy.
"As soon as the abatement of the sea and wind allowed
a communication with the shore, I received from Com
mander Lewis Goldsborough, commanding this station, (who
has placed me under lasting obligations,) such prompt and
judicious treatment as enabled me to get the ship without
difficulty into the harbor.
"I have, sir, limited this report to principal occurrences,
presuming that you will order a Court of Inquiry into my
conduct, and earnestly soliciting you to do so,
"I am, sir, with great respect,
"Your obedient servant,
"Josiah Tattnall,
" Commander."
To the Honorable A. P. Upshur, Secretary of the Navy.
As indicating their appreciation of "his conduct during
the great peril through which he had just passed, we cannot
refrain from introducing the following extracts from some
of the letters received by Commander Tattnall from brother
officers of high repute, whose generous sympathy and
cordial congratulations were very gratifying to him.
Under date March 23d, 1843 :
" Dear Tattnall :
"Allow me to congratulate you on your narrow escape
from a watery grave, with that of your officers and crew,

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 51
and also on the good qualities of your noble ship. Mr.
Boggs, of the Navy Department, has just read me a most
interesting account from his brother, Lieutenant Boggs,
which letter he has also read to the Secretary, and, much
to his satisfaction, he is delighted with your management
of the ship. As evidence of which, he has issued orders
for her to be refitted without delay. A lady of my family
was at the Secretary's house on Monday evening when the
sad news arrived of her total loss ; he was greatly disturbed,
'yet,' he said, 'he had every confidence in her commander,
for that she was in the hands of one of the first officers in
the navy.'" ******
Under date March 24th, 1843 :
"My Dear Tattnall:
" I have just seen the safe arrival of your ship announced
at Portsmouth, and hasten to congratulate you on your good
and bad fortune. Your situation must have been perilous
indeed, and but for your decision and prompt action your
fate would have been inevitable. I truly rejoice, my dear
friend, that the loss your ship sustained is so small, and
that your presence of mind and decision of character not
only saved your ship, but not a single life was lost. Orders
have, no doubt, been given to equip her again for sea. You
must have faith in the old adage, a bad beginning ends
well." * * * * * *
Under date March 27th, 1843 :
"Dear Tattnall:
"Your letter of the 22d inst. is received. I was upon
the point of writing to you to congratulate you upon your
having got clear of that tremendous blow, with the loss

52 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
only of your spars, for I much feared (and so did we all
here) for the safety of your ship and lives. It blew here
that night almost a hurricane, and we were all hoping on
board the Hudson that you might not have sailed, and
were expressing our fears, in case you were out, of your
safety. Thank God it is no worse ; and the universal feeling
here is that you have been devilish lucky in getting off so
cheaply. Lieutenant Boggs has given us all the details
of that dreadful night's work and suffering, and your con
duct and seamanship have been most highly commended."
*****
Under date April 3d, 1843 :
"My Dear Jo:
*****
"In regard to your shipwreck, dear Jo, I heard nothing
but what it would have made you vain to listen to. Your
brother officers have full confidence not only in your chiv
alry, but in all the high attributes of your official station.
Your receive, as you well merit, from everybody the highest
praise for saving your ship and the lives of your crew.
Unless your health has materially suffered, nothing better
could have happened to you short of a good fight. Say
nothing more than what you may already have said about
a Court of Inquiry. All military courts are becoming odious,
and nothing of the kind can be necessary to your reputa
tion." * * * * *

CHAPTEE SIXTH.

In command of the Saratoga on the African Station. War declared
between' the United States and Mexico. Assigned to the gun-boat
Spitfire. In command of the Mosquito Division. Covers disembarca-
tion of the army under General Scott. Shells Vera Cruz and the
Castle of St. Juan d'UUoa. Engages the Castle and bombards the
city on the 23d. Commander Tattnall's letter describing the action.
Reduction of Tuspan. Admiral Buchanan's narrative of the affair.
Commander Tattnall wounded. Captain Whittle's account. Compli
mented with a sword, for his gallantry, by the State of Georgia.
After refitting, the Saratoga sailed for New York, where
she awaited the arrival of Commodore M. C. Perry. Upon
coming on board he hoisted his flag on that vessel and in
her proceeded to his command on the west coast of Africa.
The station was reached in due course, when the Commo
dore transferred his flag to the- frigate Macedonian. The
duties of a cruiser on the west coast of Africa are onerous
and monotonous. The opportunities for relaxation and
pleasure, common to most stations, are there entirely want
ing. A dangerous climate and hot suns necessitate the
observance of constant care for the preservation of the
health of officers and men. Communications with home
occur only at rare and irregular intervals. Hence the
African Station was unpopular in the service. To protect
legitimate American commerce, and break up the slave
trade so far as it was abetted by or carried on in United
States vessels, were the duties of a naval force mounting
eighty guns then stationed in those waters. The presence
of these vessels was also designed to render more respect
able, in the eyes of the barbarian nations which surrounded

54 THE LIFE AND SERVICES Of
them, the colonies of Liberia. That the Saratoga per
formed good service while upon this uninteresting station
may be readily inferred from the "Journal of an African
Cruiser," written by her purser, and published in 1848.*
After a cruise of about two years, Commander Tattnall
returned with his ship to New York. His health having
been much impaired, he was granted a leave of absence.
While enjoying this relaxation amid the pleasures of home
and in the companionship of friends, war was declared
between the United States and the Eepublic of Mexico.
He thereupon immediately volunteered his services to the
Government for active duty in the presence of the enemy.
Several small steamers, — suited to the navigation of the
waters of the Mexican coast, but of a tonnage below the
grade of a Commander's proper command, — had just been
added to the Gulf Squadron. Tattnall, familiar as he was
with the character of the coast, well knew that if he ex
pected to get at the enemy he must have a vessel of light
draught. He therefore urged his assignment to the steam
gun-boat Spitfire. His request was allowed, and to that
vessel was he ordered on the 2d of June, 1846. Sailing
from New York with a bearer of dispatches, he reached
Chagres in safety ; and, proceeding thence, joined the Com
modore commanding the United States naval forces on the
Mexican coast, at the anchorage of Sacrificios below Vera
Cruz. Immediately upon the concentration of that portion
of the squadron disengaged from the duty of blockading
the coast, the fighter vessels, — consisting of the steamers
Spitfire and Vixen and four other armed vessels, — were
formed into a fight division, denominated the Mosquito Di
vision, and placed under Tattnall's immediate command.
* New York, John Wiley.

CoMModorE josiah Tattnall. 55
On the 9th of March, 1847, Commodore Perry's Squadron,
then at the anchorage of Anton Lisardo, — which was the
rendezvous for the transports conveying troops and mate
rials destined to act against Vera Cruz,— got under way,
with the steam transports in company, and proceeded to
the anchorage of Sacrificios, just south of and in full view
of the city. Here the Mosquito Division under Tattnall ran
close into the beach and opened fire in line to cover the
disembarcation of the land army. A little before sunset the
first division of troops had landed, and before ten o'clock
that night twelve thousand men were on shore, — not the
slightest accident or the loss of a single life having occurred.
With the siege and reduction of Vera Cruz we are all
familiar, and the story of that masterly achievement need
not be here repeated.
Eesponding to general instructions received from the
Commodore that he should keep his division under way
in shore and occupy positions best calculated to annoy the
enemy, at day dawn on the 10th Commander Tattnall ad
vanced under Point Honoros to a position within a short
mile of the city and the Castle of St. Juan d'Ulloa, upon
both of which, from the Spitfire, he opened a fire which
was maintained for two hours and until he was recalled by
the Commodore. The return fire from the city and the
Castle, although heavy, fortunately caused no material
injury to the vessel. The eyes of the navy and of the army
were upon him during this gallant engagement ; and Com
mander Tattnall by his perseverance and courage won the
admiration of them both. The Spitfire's shells fell in the
heart of the city, reaching the Plaza and the neighborhood
of the gate of the market. This fact was announced in a
Vera Cruz paper which found its way to the squadron, and
9

56 TH"E LIFE1 AND SERVICES OF
corrected an impression obtaining among some of the offi
cers of the fleet, who, at a remove of three miles, and despite
the smoke of the bombardment, declared that they could
perceive the shells bursting short of their objective points.
As the army batteries had not then opened, there could be
no possible doubt as to the source whence those shells
came which exploded in the Plaza and at the gate of the
market. Commander Tattnall received a complimentary
message from General Worth, who, at the time, was ad
vancing to the investment of the city. In it he stated that
the action of the Spitfire ha,d proved of essential service to
him, as it had discovered the positions of many of the
enemy's guns.
By the. 22d, — several of the land batteries being in readi
ness, and the Governor having refused General Scott's
summons to surrender, — a mortar battery, at a remove of
eight hundred yards, opened fire upon the city and main
tained it during the rest of the day and the ensuing night.
At daylight, the next morning, Tattnall got his division of
two steamers and five schooners under way. One schooner
was directed to remain under Point Honoros and open
a rapid fire on the city, while the two steamers, — each
with two schooners in tow, — -stood out from the land as
though intending to rejoin the squadron at Sacrificios.
Having cleared the shoal off Point Honoros, the division, —
Tattnall leading in the Spitfire, — stood directly for the
Castle of St. Juan d'Ulloa, until within grape distance
from the Bastion of St. Jago on the main, and but a very
little further from the Castle itself. Until this position was
gained not a shot had been exchanged. The division now
opened a violent connonade against the heart of the city,-
which was responded to by the Castle and the Bastion.

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 57
The early hour and the rapid movement of the division
either took the Mexicans by surprise, or they were desirous
of alluring the vessels to what they deemed certain destruc
tion. To the fire of the Castle and the Bastion was quickly
added that of the city. Nothing apparently saved these
vessels from annihilation save the fact that they were kept
in constant motion. The Mexican fire of solid shot, shell,
and grape, was very heavy and lashed the water into a foam.
Although the ships were struck and somewhat damaged)
not a man was killed on board. Such escape seemed mi
raculous. For one hour was this extraordinary action con
tinued, when the division retired in obedience to the Com
modore's signal. Thousands of admiring eyes, which
watched this daring affair, expected each moment to witness
the destruction of the division and scarcely looked for the
safe return of the vessels which composed it. As Com
mander Tattnall drew out of the line of fire and moved
down to Sacrificios to rejoin the squadron, cheer upon cheer
arose- from the troops along the shore. The Commodore
expressed his gratification at the heroic conduct of the
affair, and directed his appreciation of their gallantry to
be communicated to the officers and men engaged. The
eves of the country were now upon Commander Tattnall,
and his name became more than ever a synonym for valor
and daring.
The following letter, penned on the spot, and never in
tended for the public eye, will now be perused with peculiar
interest : "U. S. Steamer Spitfire, 25th March, 1847,
"Island of Sacrificios.
"My Dear ****:
"It bjows a heavy norther, which furnishes leisure for

58 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
me to write ; although the vessel is so unsteady that it is
troublesome to do so. I will briefly detail to you the ope
rations of the navy and ajjmy up to this date.
" On the morning of the 9th March, the squadron, and
several army steamers having ten thousand troops on board,
left Anton Lisardo (an anchorage seven miles from this)
and anchored here in the afternoon sufficiently early to
enable us to disembark the troops, to cover which move
ment the Spitfire, Vixen, and three schooners were anchored
close in with the beach. It was expected that we should
have had to contend with -batteries erected among the
sand hills in the vicinity, but no enemy was seen, with the
exception of a few cavalry which a shot from this vessel
and one from a schooner sufficed to drive off. The landing
was beautiful, the troops landing on the beach wdth great
rapidity, and seizing the lofty sand hills where the standards
of the regiments were soon planted. The night was passed
quietly, but at dawn of day I weighed with the Spitfire and
took a position under Point Honoros, whence I threw shot
and shells into the city for two hours, and until called off
by a signal from the Commodore. The army was occupied
from that date (the 10th) until the 22d inst. in getting
their battering guns, mortars, and ordnance stores on shore,
in which they received great and cheerful assistance from the
navy. In the interval, the enemy at times opened on them a
a fire from mortars and cannon, producing some casualties.
Captain Albertis, of the artillery, was killed, and Lieutenant
Colonel Dickerson, of the Carolina Volunteers, wounded.
"On the 22d, a part of the mortars having been placed
in battery, and ready to open, the town was summoned,
through a flag of truce, to surrender. This was refused,
and as soon as our flag was again within our lines, the

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 59
town fired two shots in defiance. This was answered
from our lines, and was the signal for the Spitfire, Vixen,
and five schooners to take apposition off Point Honoros
and aid in the bombardment. I forgot to say that when
on the 10th I fired on the town from this position with
the Spitfire alone, the enemy opened a fire of shells on
me from St. Juan d'Ulloa and two of the town batteries,
which fell and exploded around me without damage. On
this occasion, although they fired a few shells at us, their
. principal fire was directed at the batteries of the. army.
On the morning of the 23d, at dawn of day, I weighed
anchor in company with the Vixen, each with two schooners
in tow (leaving the fifth schooner to attract the attention
of the enemy), and stood out from the land as though in
tending to rejoin the squadron at Sacrificios until, having
cleared the shoal off Point Honoros, I stood directly for
the Castle of St. Juan d'Ulloa, until within grape distance
of the Castle of St. Iago on the main, and but a little
further from that of St. Juan d'Ulloa. Here I opened
a fire directly into the city, which was replied to from both
castles. I must, from their not having opened on me
before, have surprised them. They, however, made up for
the delay by a very heavy fire of shot and shell, which
burst and fell all around us. In an hour I was recalled
by signal. The affair took place in sight of the whole
squadron and the right wing (Worth's) of the army, and
is spokea of (I am happy to tell you) in enthusiastic terms
by both services. We were cheered by the officers of the
army from the neighboring heights, and Commodore Perry
(Connor having given up the command) has directed the
commanders of all vessels engaged to express to the crews
his sense of their gallantry. All expected to see us sunk,

60 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
and that we escaped without loss is a miracle. The shot
and shell rained around us and kept the water in a foam,
and yet but three of the vessels were struck, two of the
schooners and the Spitfire; the latter by a shell which ex
ploded directly under the quarter and knocked a plank
out of the quarter boat. Not a man was hurt. Edward
and Josiah were both with me, and were perfectly cool. All
the four Generals, Scott, Worth, Patterson, and Twiggs, have
complimented me. On the same day on which this occurred
(23d), six heavy guns were sent on shore from the squadron
and manned by the seamen of the frigates and sloops-of-
war. They commenced a fire on the morning of the 24th,
in conjunction with the army batteries, and did themselves
great honor. Our acquaintance, Aulick, commanded the
first day and had four killed and two wounded ; thus (if
I fired the first naval shot against the town and Castle)
winning the honor of having the first naval blood drawn
from his command. Lieutenant Baldwin (of the St. Mary's)
was among the wounded. Yesterday Captain Isaac Mayo,
of the Mississippi, commanded, and silenced all the batteries
opposed to him. He had two killed and several wounded,
among the former (I am sorry to say) poor young Shubrick,
the son of Commander Irving Shubrick. He had just
arrived in the Mississippi, and brought me a letter from
dear H  , whom he saw at Wilmington. He went to the
battery full of animation, and had scarcely reached it when
his head was severed from his body. His mother was a
Miss Dupont, a sister of Commander Dupont of the navy.
He was a fine lad, and is deeply lamented.
"I landed and walked to our battery on the first day,
and on reaching it saw stretched in a cart and dead a most
noble seaman, an old boatswain's mate of mine in the

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 61
Saratoga. His fine manly face, calm and unchanged, I
could not mistake, and on asking his name had my fears
confirmed. Another poor fellow was lying in a cart severely
wounded, to whom I offered a few words of condolence. In
a few moments after, and when they had removed him to
what was deemed a place of safety, he was again wounded.
There was ill luck for you. The army have, of course, been
doing the chief work in the bombardment, but I have
mentioned the navy more particularly as appertaining to
myself. The army has been disappointed by the non-arrival,
at the time expected, of the larger part of the mortars, but
yesterday they had sixteen in battery, and will, doubtless,
have more to-morrow.
" They do their work admirably, and are a credit to that
noble institution, West Point. The town has, doubtless,
suffered dreadfully, and yesterday they sent out a flag beg
ging that the women and children might be allowed to retire.
This General Scott very properly refused, on the ground
that he had offered and they declined it before he com
menced the bombardment, and that now, in justice to his
own troops, he could not suffer the garrison to be disem
barrassed and freed from the necessity of feeding them.
This seems cruel, but is just. The Castle will probably have
to be starved out, and the sooner this is done the less will
be our loss of life. It is blowing so hard a gale from the
northward that we have not communicated to-day with
the shore, and my account of matters is up to last evening.
The firing was continued on shore the whole of last night,
and doubtless I shall hear of further casualties. I forgot
to mention that Captain Vinton, of the artillery, (a very
fine officer), was killed at one of the army batteries, and
the army has probably lost in killed and wounded some

62* the Life and services of
thirty men. I think that as soon as this norther ends the
town will surrender. If not, it is intended to take it by
assault, the navy cooperating with the army.
"I shall keep you constantly advised of your sons and
myself being in existence, and shall keep this open until
a vessel sails, which, it is thought, will be to-morrow. Com
modore Connor has been relieved by Commodore Perry,
and in a manner and at a time most mortifying. Connor
is ill, and I feel deeply for him. When I took leave of him
in his sick bed, he thanked me for the friendly support he
had received from me, and expressed himself in warm terms
of regard.
" The Spitfire jumps about so, in the short sea in which
we are anchored, that I can scarcely write legibly, and the
general tumbling about of cabin articles confuses my ideas
to such an extent that I can hardly disentangle them suffi
ciently to write English intelligibly. Don't let this letter be
seen out of the family, and suffer no part of it to reach the
papers. "The gale still rages, and three or four transports have
been driven from their moorings and forced on shore. One
brig dragged foul of the frigate Potomac and lost her masts,
and is now riding, by a hawser, to that vessel. We have
a norther about once in three days, and this one is of un
usual violence. They interfere sadly with the operations
of the army. The soil is of sand, which drifts and fills up
the trenches.
"I have just finished a letter to dear H****, in reply
to that she sent by poor young Shubrick. The motto she
chose for the seal of her letter brought the tear to my eye.
God bless her ! Eemind all the children that I love them,
and tell T*** and M*** that I rejoice to learn such favor-

COMMODORE josiah TaTtnall. 63
able accounts of their improvement. T*** must write me
a letter, and M * * * must send me a beautiful piece of her
needlework. I shall be proud to show the letter and the
needlework to every one. The gale is at length at an end
(26th March), after having driven on shore twenty-five
vessels and dismasted several others.
" I am ordered to cruise to the northward and westward
of the town, communicating with the left wing of the army.
"We have this day (29th March) taken possession of
the Castle and city, both of which surrendered yesterday.
The loss of life in the city was terrible, as it fell chiefly
on the inhabitants (women and children, the men being
under arms with the troops). The troops were sheltered
by the works and lost, report says, but forty killed, while
the inhabitants lost from seven to eight hundred. I am
told that the city is greatly injured. Many foreigners have
been killed, among them the daughter of the English Consul.
******* "Josiah Tattnall."
Upon the surrender of Vera Cruz, on the 29th of March
Commodore Perry turned his attention to the capture of
towns along the coast which were still occupied by the
Mexican forces. Alvarado was evacuated upon the ap
proach of the combined naval and land expedition dis
patched for its capture, and was garrisoned by the army
of occupation. The squadron next prepared to attack Tus-
pan. As this city was situated some distance up the river
of the same name, and as the bar at its mouth was both
shallow and dangerous, it became necessary to organize
an expedition of light steamers and boats. The masts of
the Spitfire were taken out of her and she was lightened
of all stores and munitions not absolutely required on the
10

64 THE LIFE AND SERVICE'S OF
moment. Bearing the flag of the Commander-in-Chief, and
with a division of boats from the Germantown, commanded
by the gallant Commander Franklin Buchanan (afterwards
an Admiral in the navy of the Confederate States), in tow,
the Spitfire led in over the bar and commenced the action.
We give the narrative of the capture in the language of the
distinguished officer whose honored name we have just
uttered : " The Germantown 's boats were towed by the
Spitfire that they might be near the Commodore so as to
receive the earliest orders to 'land and storm the forts.' I
went on board as the expedition approached the first fort,
the Pana, situated on a prominent hill about eighty feet
above the river, and armed with 32-pounder guns. The
fire from the enemy was very severe, and the Spitfire was
frequently struck. During this time I had an opportunity
of witnessing the coolness and gallant bearing of Com
mander Tattnall, whose guns were not idle, as the enemy
can testify. The fate of the expedition depended mainly
on the capture of that fort, for we had two others to en
counter before we could capture the town. The Spitfire's
guns silenced the fort for a few moments, when the Com
modore's order to 'land and storm' was given. About this
time a grape or canister shot from the Pana fort wounded
Tattnall in the arm severely. The boats were successful,
and in an hour or two we had possession of the three forts
and the city of Tuspan. Notwithstanding his wound, Tatt
nall retained the command of his steamer and cared but
little for it, as we were successful. As usual, his energies
were devoted to his duties."
Another brother officer* alluding to this affair, writes as
follows :

* Captain Whittle.

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 65
"Virginia, June 30, 1871.
" Editor Eepublican :
"In justice to my dear old friend, Tattnall, it is proper
that a word should be said, and I say it to you. If any man
knew him, I did. If any man loved him (that is the word),
I did. Besides frequent occasional and most intimate as
sociation with him, both personal and official, in a career
of service running through forty years, it so chanced that,
some thirty years ago, I was his executive officer for up
wards of two years on foreign service. I was consequently
brought into the most intimate and confidential intercourse
with him at all times and under all circumstances. In the
attack on Tuspan, to which you refer, where in the Spitfire,
a small steamer, he led in, having my division in a sailing
gunboat in tow, I was by his side and we were both wound
ed. It was doubtful if the bar at the entrance of the river
could be passed safely. There was surf upon it at the time.
To render assurance doubly sure, it was at my suggestion
that he hauled alongside the Raritan frigate, and, using
her main yard for the purpose, took his masts out and left
them on her deck. While under a raking and tolerably
well sustained fire from the forts, he turned to me and said,
his fine gray eye flashing with a light which I can neither
describe nor forget : '  , war may not make life longer,
but it makes it a vast deal broader. It is a glorious
pastime !' "
The wound which Commander Tattnall received in this
engagement was in his right arm ; and, although severe,
did not disable him from the command of the Spitfire during
the continuance of the action. With the fall of Tuspan
the entire Mexican coast from Texas to Yucatan passed

66 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
practically into the possession of the United States forces.
The labors of the navy were virtually at an end, and Tatt
nall, with the sanction of his commanding officer, made
arrangements to join the army in its movement upon the
City of Mexico. He purposed going in the capacity of aid
to General Twiggs. This intention, however, he was re
luctantly compelled to abandon in consequence of the con
dition of his wounded arm and the enfeebled state of his
health. In the judgment of the attending surgeons his
return to the United States was deemed necessary to his
restoration. There being no further active work for the
navy, Tattnall consented to be relieved of the command
of the Spitfire, and in June, 1847, returned home.
The Legislature of Georgia,* at its first session held after
his return from the Gulf of Mexico, passed a unanimous
resolution of thanks, and voted him a sword with this in
scription : " The State of Georgia to Commander Josiah
Tattnall, as a tribute to his gallantry in the Mexican war."
This sword was in due season presented by the Governor
of the State, and is now held in conditional trust by the
Georgia Historical Society in Savannah.
*The text of this resolution ie as follows : "Whereas, Captain Josiah Tattnall, of the
United States Navy, a native of the State of Georgia, has greatly distinguished himself
in every portion of his professional career, and has illustrated the State which gave him
birth, by uniform devotion and bravery in the service of that gallant arm of the national
defense, and more recently at the siege and bombardment of Vera Cruz, as Commander
of the ' Mosquito Fleet,' signalized himself by the most noble and heroic conduct and
added new laurels to.-his service, and greatly honored Georgia :
" Therefore be it unanimously resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the State of Georgia in General Assembly met, That his Excellency the Governor cause
to be procured an elegant sword, suitable to an officer of his rank, to be inscribed with
proper devices, and present the same to Captain Tattnall in the name of the State, to
gether with a copy of this resolution."
Assented to December 29th, 1847.
See Session Laws of 1847, pp. 321, 322.

CHAPTEE SEVENTH.

Again in command of the Boston Navy Yard. Promoted to the grade of
Captain, and assigned to the command of the steam frigate Saranac.
Detailed for special service in Cuban waters. Prudent and efficient
conduct of affairs while in .command of that station. In charge of the
Pensacola Navy Yard. Yellow fever epidemic. Threatened with vio
lence. Ordered to the command of the frigate Independence. De
fective equipment of this vessel. On duty at the Pacific Station.
Charges, preferred by Commodore Mervine, dismissed by the Navy De
partment. Promoted to the grade of Rear Flag Officer, and ordered to
the command of the naval forces in the East India and China seas.
The Powhatan his flag-ship. Movements and services while on this
station. Trsaty concluded with Japan.
On the first of October, 1847, Commander Tattnall was
ordered to the command of the Navy Yard at Boston. This
position he held for two years, and then received a leave
of absence. On the 5th of February, 1850, he was promoted
to the grade of Captain, and three weeks afterwards was
assigned to the command of the steam frigate Saranac, a
new vessel then fitting out at Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
This ship was under detail to form one of the East India
squadron. While in the Potomac river, in May of that year,
he received secret and important orders from the Govern
ment to proceed with all dispatch to the Cuban waters, first
touching at Havana. An attempt at revolution, in Cuba,
against Spanish rule, aided by filibusters from the United
States, had just occurred. It was not the first effort of the
kind, and the Spanish squadron had resolved to capture
all vessels suspected of being engaged in the service of the
filibusters. Our naval ships then in Cuban waters had

68 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
received instructions which compelled their commanders to
resist all such attempts on the part of the Spanish men-of-
war. The United States authorities suddenly were made
aware of the fact that vessels had escaped from their ports
which were destined for Cuba in aid of the revolutionists.
Apprehending the probable capture of some of them by
the Spaniards, and their forcible recapture by United States
ships-of-war, Tattnall was ordered to make the speediest
passage to Havana, and, on arrival, to take command of
all United States naval vessels present in Cuban waters,
and act according to circumstances. He was to avoid, all
possible offense to the Spanish Government, and at the same
time uphold the honor of our flag.
The Saranac was put in sailing trim with the utmost
dispatch, and set out on her voyage. So hasty was her
departure, that she was unprovided with suitable charts
of the coasts of Florida and Cuba, and lacked a proper
supply of nautical instruments. Captain Tattnall, however,
relied upon his knowledge, acquired during previous cruises,
for the successful navigation of his vessel.
The passage to Havana was made with all possible ex
pedition. Just before his arrival, Captain Tattnall fell in
with the United States sloop-of-war Albany, — Commander
V. M. Eandolph, — cruising off that port ; and, accompanied
by that ship, entered the harbor. Commander Bandolph's
object in cruising off this port was to intercept a Spanish
frigate and forcibly wrest from her one or two American
vessels which she had captured while attempting, as it was
alleged, to invade the island with their crews, and which
she was then purposing to take into Havana. While ap
preciating the motives and spirited conduct of Commander
Eandolph, Captain Tattnall deemed it best, under the cir-

commodore Josiah tattnalL. fj§
cumstances, to adopt a different course. So soon as the
Saranac and the Albany came to anchor, Captain Tattnall
waited upon the Captain-General and informed him that
while it was not his desire or purpose to seek a meeting
with the Spanish frigate, nevertheless, if he did fall in with
her at sea, he would certainly attempt the recapture of
any American vessels she might have in her possession.
These American vessels having been taken while violating
the recognized principles of international law and acting
in disregard of the proclamation of the President of the
United States, it was the design of the Spanish authorities
to bring them to Havana. So impressed was the Captain-
General with the determination of Captain Tattnall to re
take these vessels if found at sea, that he immediately issued
instructions that they should not depart from the port in
which they then were. Thus was prevented thet risk of a
collision which might have caused an open rupture between
the two governments. Captain Tattnall's conduct in this
matter was fully approved by the authorities of the United
States ; and, it is said, his letter acquainting the De
partment with his action and the reasons upon which it
was based, was handsomely complimented at a Cabinet
meeting where it was read and pronounced a model report.
The moderate course which he felt bound to adopt was so
much at variance with his impulses, that he remarked to
a brother officer that he experienced great difficulty in
overcoming his own inclination which prompted him to ap
prove and participate in the plans which his friend, Com
mander Eandolph, designed to pursue.
It was insisted by the United States Government that
vessels carrying its flag should not be subject to examination
by the armed vessels of other nationalities. Upon Captain

70 THE life and sErViOEs of
Tattnall's arrival in Havana the situation of affairs was
briefly this: The American vessels detected in flagrant
violation of international law and the President's proclama
tion had been captured, were already in a Spanish Cuban
port, and could not there be molested by United States
cruisers. Should they be brought out of that port, how
ever, and be found upon the high seas under convoy of the
Spanish frigate which had been ordered to bring them to
Havana, Tattnall assured the Captain-General he would
then attempt their recapture. This placed the matter of
peace or war practically within the determination of that
official. If the status quo remained unchanged, the capture
of the vessels claiming the protection of the United States
would then form the subject of negotiation between the
two governments. As a result of the conference, the Cap
tain-General reconsidered his determination, and counter
manded his order to bring the captured vessels to Havana
under convoy of Spanish vessels of war. The captured
ships remained in the port where they then were under the
guns of Spanish forts, within Spanish waters, and amena
ble to the jurisdiction of Spanish law. Thus, through Cap
tain Tattnall's prudent and wise action, was the impending
rupture between the two powers avoided.
Although his course was, as we have seen, warmly
applauded by the Department at home, it proved quite
distasteful to many unthinking and reckless men who,
regardless of the honor of their country, eagerly desired
to precipitate a war with Spain.
The Saranac had been fitted out for service in the East
Indies, and her detention upon this mission caused a
change in her destination. Upon her return to the waters
of the United States she was designated as the flag-ship

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 7 \
of Commodore Parker. While she bore the Commodore's
flag Captain Tattnall made a short cruise in her ; but, at
his own request, was soon relieved, and, on the first of
July, 1851, was ordered to the general command of the
naval station at Pensacola, Florida.
While there, the yellow fever appeared in most violent
and malignant form, causing a total suspension of work
in the dock-yard and creating a general panic. The
disease amounted to a plague, and was more fatal than
any visitation of like character which had been previously
known. Captain Tattnall was very ill with the fever, and,
at one time, was thought to be in a dying condition. In
fact, his demise was reported ; and obituary notices, highly
eulogistic of his private character, official worth, and pub
lic services, were published in the daily journals of his
native city and elsewhere.
During the continuance of this command, his official
action in scrutinizing the accounts of contractors and de
feating the schemes of parties who were attempting to
impose upon the Government provoked the resentment
of certain individuals. He was threatened with violence
if found beyond the area of his immediate command.
This was quite sufficient to ensure his going out as often
as practicable. On such occasions he invariably dismissed
his orderlies from personal attendance upon him, and re
fused to carry any weapon other than a heavy stick.
This, in his hands, was a powerful instrument of defense.
To all remonstrances against exposing himself alone and
without a pistol, he replied : " I have a good conscience
and a good stick." Thus he went his way unattended
and unattacked.
On the first of September, 1854, Captain Tattnall was

72 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
ordered to the command of the frigate Independence, then
fitting out in New York as the flag-ship for the Pacific
station. Her preparation reflected much discredit upon
the officer of equipment ; but the urgency of the Navy
Department in getting this ship to sea prevented the de
velopment of many defects which were subsequently dis
covered between the ports of New York and Eio de
Janeiro. Although the Independence had been turned over
to Captain Tattnall by the Navy Yard officials as fit for
a voyage round the world and furnished for an absence
of three years from the States, her main cap was found
so defective that it was condemned by survey, and the
main and fore yards were so decayed that they could
not be trusted for a passage round Cape Horn. These
were also condemned. To prevent delay in reaching the
Pacific, Tattnall shifted all the yards of the foremast to
the mainmast, and substituted a main topsail for a fore-
yard. In this jury rig the voyage to Valparaiso was
accomplished. The services of the Independence while on
the Pacific station were of the character customary in
times of peace.
At Valparaiso, shortly after the arrival of his ship upon
her station, Captain Tattnall, while walking, late at night,
from the hotel to his barge at the landing, was suddenly,
although politely, stopped in a then unfrequented part of
the city by a fine looking man whose dress and manner
were unexceptionable. The stranger said : " I wish to
thank you, Captain Tattnall, for your great service to me
years ago. You appear to have forgotten me and the
service you then did me. The latter is as graceful and
natural for you to forget as it is for me to remember.
I desire to pass unrecognized here, but to you I will recall

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 73
a name of the past," and, mentioning his name, turned
off with a graceful bow. Captain Tattnall spoke of the
meeting to his son, but did not divulge either the name
of the individual or the nature of the service rendered.
While the Independence was upon a visit to San Francisco
in 1855, so frequent and bold were the desertions, that the
most prompt and rigid measures were requisite to prevent
the entire disorganization of the ship's crew. Tattnall
communicated the facts to the Commodore, — William Mer-
vine, — and with his sanction adopted such methods as in
his judgment were best calculated to correct the evil. The
Commodore subsequently exhibited a lack of moral nerve
in carrying out the line of coercion, of which he had been
fully advised and which he had emphatically approved, and
turned upon Captain Tattnall with words of condemnation.
Such conduct Tattnall never allowed from any quarter,
however prominent in rank, and he at once put upon record,
in official form, his impression of the Commodore's vacil
lating course, — a course which would not have given him
a moment's serious thought had the Commodore not at
tempted to shield himself, behind a junior officer, from the
consequences of what he believed might prove a trouble
some exhibition of vigorous administration, and against
which certain fault-finders at Washington might enter their
protests. So incensed was the Commodore that he placed
Captain Tattnall under arrest, and sent him to the United
States under charges. Upon considering the matter, the
Navy Department refused to bring him to trial upon the
charges preferred by Commodore Mervine, and summarily
dismissed them.
On the thirtieth of May, 1856, he was ordered to the
command of the naval station on the Lakes, with his head-

74 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
quarters at Sackett's Harbor, on Lake Ontario. There he
remained until the 15th of October, 1857, when he was
directed to proceed by the overland route to the East Indies
and assume command of the naval forces in the East India
and China seas, with the rank of Flag-Officer. This was the
first step taken in the American Navy toward the establish
ment of the permanent grade of Admiral.
The critical status of the relations of the great maritime
powers with the Empires of China and Japan rendered it
imperative that the United States Government should select
as the commander of its naval forces in the India and China
seas an officer of the highest capacity, one of enlarged
experience, in whom prudence and prompt action were hap
pily blended, and who could, by counsel and deed, cooperate
with the distinguished gentlemen charged with the inau
guration of advantageous commercial treaties with those
distant and unique peoples. In those waters were then
present prominent representatives of European Governments
intent upon a similar mission. The honor, the intelligence,
the dignity, and the manhood of the United States were
emphatically at stake in this congress of nations, and the
selection of Tattnall to bear the Stars and Stripes at this
juncture was at once a recognition of his deserts and a mark
of confidence most pronounced. Never was trust better
placed. Among the names of the actors in the eventful
scenes which there transpired, none is more bravely and
honorably remembered than that of Eear Flag-Officer Josiah
Tattnall. Arrived at his station he hoisted his broad pendant at
the main-royal masthead of the United States steamer San
Jacinto. Upon the arrival of the Powhatan, however, in
May, 1858, he transferred his flag to that ship. A salute of

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 75
thirteen guns was fired by the San Jacinto, as a farewell
compliment, and this was responded to by a similar salute
from his new flag-ship.
This occurred at Hong Kong. On the 21st of May, at
daylight, the Powhatan was under way for the Gulf of
Pecheelee. As the course to that gulf lay within a few
miles of the entrance to the Woosung river, Commodore
Tattnall determined to visit Shanghai, hoping to receive
definite intelligence from the scene of the recent warlike
operations of the French and English at the mouth of
Pei-ho river, of which vague accounts had reached him
before leaving Hong Kong. While at anchor near the
"Saddle islands," sixty miles from Woosung, he fell in
with the Mississippi, and learned from her officers that
the American Minister, "the Hon. William B. Eead, had
nearly concluded a treaty of amity and commerce with
the Chinese Commissioners at Tientsin, when the destruc
tion of the forts at the mouth of the Pei-ho by the bel
ligerent allies quashed the whole business, and rendered
it necessary for him to await the result of their less pacific
mode of negotiation."
Having remained at Shanghai until the first of June,
whither he had proceeded in his barge, — leaving the
Powhatan at Woosung, — to collect all the information he
could secure relating to the state of affairs in the Gulf
of Pecheelee, he returned to the ship which left the
muddy waters of the Woosung the next morning en route
for the gulf. In the language of the Executive Officer
of the Poiuhatan, — Lieutenant James D. Johnston, — Com
modore Tattnall's "patriotic and professional pride revolted
at the idea of appearing among the large number of
English and French men-of-war anchored off the mouth

76 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
of the Pei-ho, in the character of a passive spectator, —
or 'jackall to the British' lion' — with which opprobrious
epithet, among others, the press in China had stigmatized
the position assumed by the Government of the United
States in its diplomatic intercourse with the Chinese. But
there was no alternative. The stern commands of duty
had to be obeyed at every sacrifice of personal feeling,
and no time was lost in continuing our voyage to the
scene of action."*
Nearly a month was passed in the Gulf of Pecheelee
in exchange of courtesies and watching the progress of
events rendered exceedingly tardy and uncertain by obsti
nate mandarins.
Mr. Eead having determined to proceed to Shanghai
in the Minnesota, that she might replenish her supplies,
and thence sail for Japan, Commodore Tattnall, on the
afternoon of the 5th of July, steamed for the beautiful bay
of Nagasaki. A pleasant passage of nearly four days, and
then the Powhatan found anchorage at her port of destina
tion. Of the interchange of hospitalities, and the pleasures
experienced at this point, Lieutenant Johnston has left a
happy record, but the limits of this sketch do not permit
us to reproduce his interesting narrative. From Nagasaki
the Commodore proceeded to Simoda, and thence to the
bay of Yedo, where, on the 29th of July, 1858, a treaty
of amity and commerce was concluded between the
United States and the Empire of Japan.
This important matter having been pleasantly and ad
vantageously accomplished, the Powhatan returned to
Shanghai, whence the Commodore sent a bearer of dis
patches to the United States, conveying to the State De-
* China and Japan, &c, p. 86. Philadelphia, 1860.

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 77
partment a copy of the important treaty which had just
been concluded with the Japanese Government. One of
the stipulations of that treaty provided that a Japanese Em
bassy should visit the United States to exchange its ratifica
tion at Washington. Voluntarily, and upon his own re
sponsibility as Commander-in-Chief of the naval forces in
China and Japan, Commodore Tattnall placed at the dis
posal of the members of that Embassy, through Mr. Harris,
one of the vessels under his command to convey them to
Panama or to Washington, as they might prefer.
The cholera being prevalent at Shanghai, the Commodore
left that port on the 6th of September for the beautiful bay
of Nagasaki, which was reached on the 10th. While at
Shanghai he had exchanged courtesies of the most generous
character with the Taou-tai, or Governor of the city. He
omitted no opportunity, during his command in these seas,
to conciliate the native rulers and impress them with an
exalted conception of the dignity and hospitality of the
American officer.
While at anchor at Nagasaki the soldiers and sailors con
stituting the crew of the Powhatan were carefully instructed
and drilled in the various exercises which contributed to the
efficiency of the ship as a man-of-war. The active service
hitherto performed had, to a certain extent, precluded that
attention to a portion of these exercises which was univer
sally desired by the officers. This routine of duties was
happily supplemented by periodical recreation, which proved
interesting and instructive. During this visit the official
announcement of the death of the Tycoon caused a great
sensation among the natives. Having established most cor
dial relations with the Japanese officials, and with the com
manders of the Eussian and French men-of-war newly ar-

78 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
rived in the harbor, being anxious to send dispatches to the
United States, and having grown somewhat restless during
this period of inactivity, the Commodore determined to
return to Shanghai, for which place the Powhatan sailed
on the 31st of October. The anchorage near Woosung was
reached three days afterwards. Finding that the presence
of the Powhatan was not here required, the ship sailed on
the 7th of November for Hong Kong, which was made in
less than four days. There some two weeks were consumed
in holding a court martial for the trial of some officers and
men of the Mississippi. This business concluded, the Com
modore sailed for Whampoa, at which place the Powhatan
anchored on the 11th of December.

CHAPTEE EIGHTH.

Receives the United States Minister, — the Hon. John E. Ward, — on board
the Powhatan at Penang. Return to Hong Kong. Minister Ward.
Off the mouth of the Pei-ho river. Lieutenant Johuston's account
of the affair of the Pei-ho. Flag-Officer Tattnall's report to the
Secretary of the Navy. Official correspondence.
Having received a letter from the Department express
ing its appreciation of the services he had rendered Mr.
Harris in consummating the treaty with Japan, and sanction
ing his offer of a vessel to convey the Embassy either to
Panama or to the United States as its members might
prefer, Commodore Tattnall was on the eve of leaving
Hong Kong for Japan that he might facilitate the de
parture of the Japanese Commissioners, when he received
an order from the Navy Department directing the Pow
hatan to proceed without delay to Signapore and there
await the arrival of the Hon. John E. Ward, — -the newly
appointed Minister to China, — who was to be conveyed
in that ship to his destination.
Having dispatched the Germantown to communicate with
the Mississippi, which had been placed at the disposal of
the Japanese Embassy, Commodore Tattnall proceeded in
the execution of this order, and in the Poivhafan reached
Singapore in less than six days. The interval between
arrival at this port and the coming of the Minister, — who
had been delayed in his movements, — was improved and
beguiled by a brief visit to Malacca and Penang. The
sojourn of the Commodore at this latter place was rendered
12

80 THE LIFE AND SERVICE'S 0#
most enjoyable by the distinguished hospitalities extended,
and marks of respect shown him.
On the 28th of April a steamer arrived at Penang with
the American flag flying at the fore in compliment to the
presence on board of his Excellency John E. Ward, Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to China. A
salute of seventeen guns was fired, and the meeting between
the Minister and the Commodore was most cordial. Geor
gians both, and personal friends, most happy was the re
newal on the instant of their former acquaintance. Their
association was on all occasions confidential, intimate, and
most agreeable.
The broad pendant so long worn by commanders of
squadrons in the United States navy at the main-royal mast-.
head had been, some months before, in obedience to an
order from the Navy Department, hauled down, and in its
stead was hoisted at the mizen a square blue flag in token
of the new title of Flag-officer, virtually proclaiming the
position and authority of an Admiral. Delaying his de
parture for a few days that the Minister, and officers of the
ship might partake of some final and marked hospitalities
extended by the principal citizens of Penang, whose courtesy
and generosity had known no bounds, the Commodore sailed
on the 1st of May with the Minister on board. Passing
Singapore without stopping, Hong Kong was reached on
the 10th, where Mr. Ward was for several days busily en
gaged in receiving and returning visits from all the foreign,
diplomatic, and naval dignitaries in the city and harbor.
The usual noisy testimonials of respect were exchanged on
each occasion, — the Powhatan answering all salutes to her
honored guest.
"The passage to Hong Kong," writes Lieutenant John-

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 81
ston,* "was marked by nothing of material interest, apart
from the pleasure we derived from the society of our dis
tinguished passengers, for whom a universal feeling of re
spect and friendly regard was entertained by the officers
of the ship. Mr. Ward was considered a fine specimen of
a Southern gentleman, and a better representative of the
diplomatic corps of our country than is ordinarily appointed
to any other than a first-class European mission.
" The unsettled condition of the relations between China
and the great commercial nations of the earth rendered it
particularly desirable that our country should be represented,
at this time, by a man of great ability and political acumen,
and there is no doubt that Mr. Ward was admirably well
calculated to sustain the dignity and honor, as well as
the commercial interests of his country, in any emergency
that might arise."
The Powhatan was speedily put in condition for a six
months' absence from this, the only depot for provisions
on the station ; and on the 16th, of May, the English
steamer Toey-wan, of 175 tons burthen, was chartered by
the Flag-officer for a period of five months, and equipped
for service as "tender to the ship for the purpose of con
veying the Minister and his suite from the mouth of the
Pei-ho to Tientsin, to which point there was no doubt en
tertained of his being allowed to ascend."
On the morning of the 18th, — the Minister and suite on
board and the Toey-wan in tow, — -the Poivhatan proceeded
to sea on the long northern cruise for which she was
thoroughly prepared.
Touching at Ningpo to take on board the Eeverend Wm.
A. P. Martin, whose knowledge of the Mandarin dialect, —
* China and Japan, &c, p. 211. Philadelphia, 1860.

82 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
which is altogether used in diplomatic intercourse with
Chinese officials, — rendered his services indispensable to
Mr. Ward, the Commodore pursued his voyage to Woosung,
whence the American Minister paid an official visit to the
the Imperial Commissioners, Kweiliang and Hiuashana, with
whom he desired to have an interview in reference to the
ratification of the treaty negotiated by Mr. Eeed in June,
1858. The time having arrived for the presence of Mr. Ward
at the point agreed upon for the ratification of the treaty,
he returned with his suite to the Poivhatan on the 17th of
June, and preparations were made for- immediate departure.
The anchorage off the mouth of the Pei-ho was reached
early on the morning of the 21st.
The allied fleet there assembled consisted of twenty-one
steamers of various sizes. On board the greatest activity
apparently prevailed as if in anticipation of important
events; for it had been ascertained that the Chinese "had
rebuilt the fortifications destroyed the year previous, and
placed additional obstructions across the entrance of the
river which they obstinately refused to remove to permit
the foreign envoys to pass to Tientsin."
The details of this memorable affair of the Pei-ho we
present as they were penned by Lieutenant Johnston, ex
ecutive officer of the Powhatan, and an eye witness of the
events as they transpired :
"The English Admiral's demands to this effect, were met
with the impudent duplicity for which the natives of the
' middle kingdom' are so distinguished ; the gigantic coolie,
who received all communications addressed to the forts,
declaring that they were defended only by a few volunteer
braves, stationed there to destroy pirates and resist any

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 83 N
attempt of the rebels to advance upon Peking by that route ;
stating also that his orders were to fire upon any man-of-war
that might endeavor to pass the barriers or booms.
"The bar, or rather extended flat, which has been formed
by the accumulated deposit caused by the strong tides of
the river, and reaches about five miles outside of its en
trance, precluded the possibility of anchoring the larger
vessels within that distance of the forts, and even the gun
boats and tenders were compelled to await a favorable tide
to cross this plateau, upon which the depth of water never
exceeded ten feet. On the 24th, Admiral Hope, in the
tender Coromandel, the French Commodore in the Norza-
garay, and Flag-officer Tattnall in the Toey-wan, the latter
having also on board Mr. Ward and suite, with Captajn
Pearson, of the Poivhatan, and Captain Taylor, of the
marine guard of the same ship, crossed this bar, accom
panied by thirteen gun-boats, all of which anchored in the
mouth of the river.
"The Toey-wan grounded immediately under the guns
of the forts, and as soon as her situation was made known
to Admiral Hope, he dispatched the gun-boat Plover to
tow her off; but the chain used for this purpose having
parted, the attempt to extricate her from the ticklish posi
tion into which she had fallen was relinquished, and she
remained stationary until sunset, when the tide floated
her off; previous to which, however, the Admiral offered
the entire use of one of his gun-boats to Flag-officer Tatt
nall, requesting him to hoist his flag on board, and retain
her as long as he desired. This magnanimous proposition
was, of course, declined, although the generous feeling
which prompted it was very highly appreciated. Meanwhile
the Flag-officer sent his barge with the Eev. Mr. Martin

84 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
and four others, to ascertain, if possible, the chances of
obtaining a passage up the river for this little steamer with
her passengers; but they were met by the same brawny
representative of the Emperor who had received the English
Admiral's communications, and the same evasive replies
returned to the inquiries. He condescended, however, to
inform the interpreter that orders had been issued by his
august Master to the Governor-General of the province,
Hangfuh by name, to make arrangements for conducting
the foreign Ministers to Peking from the town of Pehtang,
situated a few miles north of the Pei-ho, on the coast. He
declined, though, to send the Minister's card to the Gov
ernor-General, to furnish conveyance for a messenger, or
a pilot to guide the steamer to the mouth of the river upon
whose banks this hitherto unheard-of town was built. No
information could be elicited from this obliging subordinate,
respecting the force within the forts, a matter of some curi
osity to us, and of vital consequence to the menacing Allies ;
but the gracious assurance was vouchsafed that no harm
would be done to the Toey-wan, unless she attempted to
remove the booms, which was not very likely under the
circumstances. "The Flag-officer' communicated the result of this inter
view to the English Admiral, but as he had already deter
mined to comply with Mr. Bruce's request to open a passage
to Tientsin for him, via the Pei-ho, the information came too
lale to be of any service, although it might have been, if
the English Minister would have consented to pursue the
new route indicated. The absence of the usual Chinese
display of flags and men on the walls of their forts in the
presence of an enemy, and the greater part of the port
holes being covered with mats, no doubt, deceived the

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. i?5
Admiral into the belief that they were not very strongly
defended; but, at all events, he was bound to make the
attempt to force a passage up the river, and as the day was
near at hand when the Minister should be in Peking (the
27th), he ordered one of the gun-boats to commence the
removal of the stakes composing the first barrier, on the
night succeeding the interview referred to. A single gun
was fired from one of the forts at the vessel employed in
this work, but she persevered until an opening was made
sufficiently wide to admit of her passage.
" On the morning of the 25th, the gun-boats were ar
ranged in order of battle, preparatory to attacking the forts ;
and just as the Admiral had completed his preparations, a
boat was seen coming from the shore containing a Chinese
official, who held in his hand a large document, which he
displayed in such manner as to attract the Admiral's atten
tion, but he directed the bearer to be warned off, saying
that it was too late for negotiation. At a quarter before
three o'clock in the afternoon the Admiral advanced in
the gun-boat Plover through the first barrier, and ran
full speed against the second, the vessel rebounding con
siderably with the shock ; at this moment the forts on each
side of the river opened a terrific fire upon the assembled
vessels — the first shot taking off the head of one of the
men at the bow gun, and mortally wounding three others.
The fire was instantly returned, and kept up with unwaver
ing skill and undaunted courage for nearly three hours,
although the shot from seven different forts were falling
among them with the most deadly effect, and producing a
scene of carnage and destruction almost without a parallel
in naval warfare. The receding tide conspired with the
overwhelming superiority of the Chinese force, to destroy

86 THE LIFE AND' SERVICES 01*
or render useless the staunch and dauntless little gun-boats,
leaving two of them aground in such positions as to render
it impossible for them to do any execution with their bat
teries, while two others were sunk at their anchors, and
still two more forced to withdraw from the action in a sink
ing condition, and seek the poor refuge afforded by the
adjacent flats, where their injuries could be repaired during
low tide. At about 5 p. M., a young midshipman came on
board the Toey-ivan from a neighboring gun-boat to inform
Flag-officer Tattnall that the English Admiral had trans
ferred his flag to the Cormorant dispatch-boat, and had,
been seriously wounded. While standing on the 'bridge'
(a light platform raised five or six feet above the deck and
extending across the vessel,) a shot came from one of the
forts, and striking the chain 'life-line' extended along its
edges, drove three links into his thigh, causing him to fall
heavily upon the deck below, by which three of his ribs
were broken. In addition to this, there were but six men
remaining on duty on board the Plover, out of a crew of
thirty-seven, and as the little Middy informed the Flag-
officer of these disasters, he looked wistfully toward a num
ber of large boats anchored below the line of fire, and stated
that the Admiral was extremely anxious to bring into action
the reinforcements which they contained. As the strength
of the tide rendered it impossible to effect this object with
out the assistance of a steamer, and the Toey-wan was
anchored near these boats, Flag-officer Tattnall yielded to
the generous and noble impulse which prompted him to
render this unsolicited service to the gallant Admiral, toward
whom he felt under obligations for the prompt and hand
some manner in which he had, the day previous, proffered
him the use of one of his vessels. The suggestion was made

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 87
to him that the step he contemplated would involve a viola
tion of the neutral position occupied by his country in the
belligerent turn which affairs had taken, but he replied,
'blood is thicker than water,' and ordered the Toey-wan
to be got under way immediately, and to proceed to tow the
reserve force in the boats up to the point where their pres
ence was so much needed — Mr. Ward and Captain Pearson
expressing their approbation of the Flag-officer's deter
mination. "At twenty minutes before 8 p. M., a storming party, of
six hundred men, under the command of the senior Captain
of the fleet, landed on the muddy bank of the river, im
mediately abreast of one of the forts, which was not more
than four hundred yards distant. Many of these men were
shot down in the mud before reaching the dry ground, and
here they encountered three wide ditches, two of which
were filled with water, and the third with large iron spikes,
over which it seemed impossible to pass alive. While en
deavoring to overcome these apparently insurmountable ob
stacles, the Chinese sharp-shooters which lined the walls
of the fort, were throwing up fire-balls so profusely as to
illumine the entire ground in front, and firing upon their
assailants with such deadly effect that but few succeeded
in reaching the walls of the fort, although most gallantly
cheered onward by their commanding officer. More than
one-third of their number were either drowned in the
ditches or killed by the destructive fire of the enemy ; and
it was two o'clock in the morning before the survivors of
this desperate attack found their way back to their vessels,
the command having finally devolved upon the officer who
was the third in rank at the time of landing.
"After the Toey-wan had towed the first detachment of
13

88 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
the reserve force into action, Flag-officer Tattnall felt in
honor bound to call upon the English Admiral, and offer
his personal sympathy and assistance. Without giving a
thought, therefore, to the imminent hazard to which he
would expose his own life, and consulting only his duty as a
man, and the honor of the profession of which he has always
been regarded as an ornament, he ordered his barge to be
manned, and accompanied by his Flag-lieutenant, S. D.
Trenchard, pulled alongside of the Cormorant, through the
midst of the tremendous fire which the forts still continued
to pour into that devoted vessel ; the Chinamen recognizing
the Admiral's flag at her mast-head. Just as the barge
came within a few feet of the side-ladder, a shot struck
one of the oars, and entering the boat, passed through her
bottom on the opposite side, coming within a few inches
of the Flag-officer, and finding its exit between the legs of
his Flag-lieutenant, as he sat in the 'stern-sheets.' Fortu
nately they were close enough to the gangway to reach the
ladder before the boat sunk, and they were soon on the deck
of the steamer, not, however, without a more serious mis
fortune than the sinking of the boat — the Coxswain having
received a mortal wound on the side of his head, inflicted,
it was supposed, by a splinter from the oar that had been
shattered by the shot. He was taken on board the steamer,
and immediately afterward conveyed to the hospital vessel,
where he died in a few hours, without having spoken from
the moment the singular catastrophe occurred. His name
was John Hart, and a finer specimen of a seamen is seldom
met with. The Flag-officer was exceedingly grieved at his
loss, as he regarded him with a feeling of personal attach
ment, growing out of his long and faithful services. Com
modore Tattnall returned to the Toey-wan in a boat fur-

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 89
nished by the commander of the Cormorant. While the
boat's crew were detained on* the deck of the Cormorant,
they observed that one of the guns was very short of men
to work it, and several of them immediately stepped forward
unsolicited, and rendered all the assistance in their power
during the few minutes they remained on board.
" The allied forces were occupied during the whole night,
after these painful and thrilling events, in endeavoring to
recover their scattered boats and, men, and to preserve as
much of the property on board their sunken vessels as could
possibly be recovered, and this in spite of the unceasing fire
kept up by the victorious enemy, the boom of whose heavy
guns was frequently heard breaking the still gloom of the
night, and giving fatal utterance to his foul and cruel
treachery. "Early on the following morning the Toey-wan returned
to her anchorage, near the Powhatan, bringing out a large
number of the marines who had been engaged in the battle,
and also the body of John Hart, which was buried about a
mile from the ship with appropriate ceremonies. As soon
as the Minister and other passengers on board the tender
were transferred to the ship, I was directed by the Flag-
officer to assume temporary command of that vessel, and
repair on board the English tender at anchor outside the
bar, for the purpose of offering any further services, the
Toey-wan might be capable of rendering, apart from actual
engagement in battle. The Admiral seemed to be highly
gratified by this unexpected attention, and requested that
I would proceed to the mouth of the river and report the
object of my visit to Captain Willes, the Captain of the Flag
ship. Availing of a favorable tide, I crossed the bar, and
anchored near the large dispatch vessel Nimrod, which was

90 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
just outside the ordinary line of fire, though occasionally
reached by a shot from one of the heavier guns. The next
morning Captain Willes came on board and took breakfast
with me, assuring me it was the first meal he had tasted
for thirty-six hours. He requested me to remain until 10
p. m., at which time the tide would seive to cross the bar,
and convey to the transport Assistance, at anchor outside,
a portion of the marine force which had found temporary
shelter on board the junks, seized for this purpose by the
Admiral's orders, previous to the bombardment. This re
quest was cheerfully complied with, and the service per
formed ; after which I returned to the Powhatan at 2 A. M.
on the 28th, with the thanks of the Admiral, and the as
surance that the Toey-wan' s assistance was no longer re
quired, as two of the sunken gun-boats had been raised,
and nearly all the men had returned to their respective
vessels. " While lying at anchor in the entrance of the river, I had
a good opportunity of observing the defenses constructed
by the Chinese during the year which had elapsed since
their total demolition by the allied squadrons, under Admi
rals Seymour and De Genouilly, with a force of two thousand
five hundred men ; and whatever may be said of the ignor
ance and cowardice of the race, there can be no question
of their industry, or of the adequacy of the works they had
thrown up, to resist almost any force that could be assem
bled in the entrance of the narrow river, for the purpose
of forcing its passage. There were no less than, seven
different forts, mounting eighty-seven guns that could be
seen through the embrasures, and among them there were
several throwing solid shot as large as our 8-inch shells ; —
how many there were that could not be seen, will never be

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 91
positively ascertained, I imagine, as the Chinese are not
particularly communicative on such subjects to foreigners.
The obstructions placed across the river extended from a
point about a quarter of a mile outside of the two forts
immediately at its mouth, a distance of three miles or more
beyond their inner walls, two lines of abattis forming the
outer barriers, above which there were two booms con
structed of large logs of timber secured together by heavy
chains, and stretched endwise acjross the stream at conve
nient points; constituting, altogether, about as formidable
an obstacle to progress as could readily be conceived, even
by those cunning and persistent enemies to the moving
spirit of the age in which we live. In addition to this, the
mud flats, which were left bare at low water, extended a
hundred yards or more from the channel, on each bank of
the river; and they were sown broadcast with caltrops,
rendering the passage between the channel and. the forts
sufficiently hazardous, even to those who might have the
strength to stagger through the sticky mud, and the skill
to dodge the fire of the jingalls and Minie rifles, poured
upon them from the parapet walls.
¦ "The beautiful dispatch- vessel Cormorant, which had
figured so conspicuously in the capture of these forts the
year previous, now laid with her stern hard aground within
three hundred yards of one of the largest forts ; and the
Chinese evidently regarded her as having been fairly ' bagged,'
giving her only an occasional shot by way of testing the
accuracy of their fire, which was by no means remarkable
during the twelve hours I watched their proceedings. She
had been left to her fate the night previous on account of
the dreadful havoc made among her crew, and the impossi
bility of bringing her guns to bear ; but an effort was made

92 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
the night afterwards to float her off upon the flood tide,
which would doubtless have succeeded, but for the unfortu
nate misunderstanding of an order given to the Engineer,
who started the engine to 'back,' instead of 'ahead,' as
directed ; by which means the propeller got so embedded in
the mud as to be immovable. But the vessel had changed
her position, so as to present her full broadside to the fort ;
and as soon as it was discovered that she could not be
started, it became necessary to blow off the steam which
had been raised. The sound of the escaping steam awaken
ed the attention of the unwary gunners in the fort, and they
soon sent such a shower of shot at the devoted vessel, that
the officers and men who had undertaken the daring at
tempt to recover her from the enemy, were compelled again
to abandon the unlucky craft to the inevitable destruction
which now awaited her. They embarked quietly in their
boats on the least exposed side of the vessel ; and, all start
ing together, made one of the most exciting regattas I have
ever witnessed — shot flying around them, and over them,
at every stroke of the oars ; often drenching the crews with
the muddy spray sent up by plunging into the water near
them, and yet all escaped uninjured to their vessels.
" The Lee and Plover were locked in the last fond embrace
of dying love, with their graceful forms resting upon the
inhospitable shore, near one of the forts, from whence the
vengeful foe continued to project destructive missiles
through their unresisting frames. The Kestrel sought refuge
at the bottom of the turbid stream from the iron hail-storm
which raged above; but, soon becoming dissatisfied with
the change, she raised herself sufficiently from the superin
cumbent element to glide smoothly and quietly down the
tide, until she reached a point where her astonished and

Commodore josiah tattNall. 93
grateful friends could with safety send a crew on board to
conduct her to a more comfortable position. This vessel
was sunk early in the action, quite near to the second
barrier, and during the day I remained at anchor in the
mouth of the river, her hull was totally invisible ; but in the
course of the following night, she was raised from the
bottom by some unaccountable cause, and drifting down near
to the Nimrod, a crew was sent on board from that vessel
to anchor her on the flats, where her injuries were soon
repaired. I leave the explanation of this philosophical
phenomenon to the savans of the country, and have only
to request a due acknowledgment of the favor conferred
upon them by furnishing so interesting a case for their
deliberation and investigation.
"The allied force consisted of one thousand three hun
dred and fifty men (of whom only about sixty were
French) ; and the loss of the English amounted to four
hundred and fifty killed and wounded, twenty-nine of the
number being officers; the French had four killed and
twelve wounded. The Admiral and the three senior Captains
were all seriously injured, one of the latter dying shortly
afterward of his wounds.
"The excitement on board the Poivhatan during the bom
bardment was so intense that the tops and masts were lined
with eager gazers, and as I had been directed, to have two
hundred men prepared to land at a moment's notice, I
ordered the heavy launches to be got ready for hoisting out
for that purpose. The work was performed in less time
than it ever had been before, though it proved to be unne
cessary." The following is Flag-officer Tattnall's report to the Secre-

94 THE LIFE AND SERVICES Of
tary of the Navy. Like" all the official documents submitted
by him, it is a model of its kind :
"United States Steam Frigate Powhatan,
"Flag Ship East India Squadron,
"Off Pei-ho Eiver, July 4, 1859.
"Sir: The last dispatch which I had the honor to send
you reported this ship, in company with the chartered
steamer Toey-wan, at sea, off the Yangtee, on her way to
the Pei-ho, with our Minister to China, — Mr. Ward, — and
suite on board.
" That gentleman has reported to the government the re
sult of his interviews and correspondence with the Chinese
Commissioners at Shanghai. I only refer, therefore, to that
subject as far as necessary to your understanding the cir
cumstances which placed us in a very unexpected position
on our arrival at the Pei-ho and produced as unexpected
results. "The Chinese Commissioners were those with whom our
late Commissioner, — Mr. Eeed, — concluded the treaty last
year at Tientsin, and with whom he subsequently arranged
the tariff at Shanghai, where they have remained ever since.
"In the interchange of visits between these Commis
sioners and Mr. Ward, the latter was escorted by a number
of the officers and sixty marines of our squadron ; this
being not only suited to the dignity of Mr. Ward, but in
tended as a compliment to the Chinese Commissioners, to
whom Mr. Ward wished to extend the greatest consideration.
"Mr. Ward informed them that he was on his way to
Peking to exchange the treaties, which it was obligatory
on both parties to do on or before the 18th of June, now
near at hand.

commodore josiAh Tattnall. 95
" They replied that, having signed the treaties, they must
themselves exchange them ; that they could not reach Peking
from Shanghai in less than sixty days ; and that by agree
ment with Lord Elgin, the late British Opposition, they
were expected to remain at Shanghai until the arrival of
the present British Minister,— Mr. Bruce.
"Mr. Ward then offered to exchange our treaty at Shan
ghai, which they evaded on the ground that the treaty was
at Peking, and they proposed to Mr. Ward that he should
remain at Shanghai until the arrival of the British Minister.
"Mr. Ward, although doubting their sincerity, in a spirit
'of consideration and forbearance accepted the proposition,
thus waiving the specified time of exchange.
"The British Minister, on his arrival a day or two after,
refused to hold official intercourse with the Commissioners,
on the ground (as I understood it) that Peking was the place
specified in the British treaty for the exchange, and that
he was on his way there for that purpose.
"Unsuccessful in their endeavor to detain the British,
and to re-open the negotiation at Shanghai, the Commis
sioners apparently yielded, and dispatched couriers (who
they asserted would arrive in a week) to Peking to prepare
(as they said) the authorities for the arrival and reception
of all the Ministers, and their conveyance to Peking, where
the treaties would be exchanged by a special Commissioner
on the 25th June, the day specified in. the British treaty.
"The Commissioners notified Mr. Ward of this arrange
ment, and requested him to accompany the British and
French to the Pei-ho. To this he consented, thereby to
a certain extent assuming the same platform with the latter.
"I will here remark that the sincerity of the Commis
sioners was much doubted at the time, some of their coun-
14

96 THE LIFE AND SERVICES 0$
try men at Shanghai declaring that delay was their object,
as they were fortifying the Pei-ho very strongly, and had
placed in command a Mongul Prince of high military repu
tation, who was known to be very hostile to the ' treaties.'
" We reached the anchorage off the Pei-ho on the 21st of
June, where we found the British and French Ministers and
their fleets.*
"On my first interview with the British Admiral, — James
Hope, — I learned that the Ministers (English and French)
had announced to the authorities on shore the object of
their visit, and that they should proceed by the river to
Tientsin, on their way to Peking, conformably with their
'treaties.' "The Chinese had positively refused them the ascent of
the river, the entrance to which they found very strongly
fortified, and across which several lines of barricades had
been constructed.
" The Chinese declared that this river, which we had all
navigated as the Pei-ho a year ago, was only one mouth of
the Tientsin river, and that there was another entrance ten
miles to the north, which entrance was called the Pei-ho,
and was the point referred to in the treaties.
"They insisted that the Ministers should remain off this
northern entrance until the arrival of the Commissioners
from Shanghai, (which could not be short of two months,)
when arrangements would be made to convey them to
Peking by this route.
"The British and French Ministers, considering this an
evasion with a view to gaining time to strengthen their
defenses, had referred the matter to their respective naval
commanders, who notified the Chinese that if the obstruc-,
tions in the channel of the river were not removed by the

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 97
25th June, the day for the exchange of treaties, they would
themselves proceed to remove them.
"I will here remark that in the Chinese charts there is
a small river emptying into the sea ten miles to the north
of this, and which, diverging gradually from the course of
the Pei-ho as you ascend it, has its source far in the interior.
Some twenty miles from its mouth it is connected with the
river we know as the Pei-ho by a narrow creek, said to be dry
at low, and having but five feet at high water.
" After due deliberation Mr. Ward and I decided to enter
the river we had known as the Pei-ho, in the steamer Toey-
wan as far as the barricades, as though ignorant of access
having been refused the English and French. If the forts
should fire across our bows to bring us to we would anchor
and communicate ; if into us, having no guns, we would
retire and act accordingly.
" Twelve British and one French steamer, all small, had
previously concentrated within the bar, at the mouth of the
river, just out of gun shot of the batteries.
" We entered the river in execution of our plan at 11 A. M.
on the 24th ultimo, and passing through the British squad
ron, without communicating, pushed up towards the barriers.
"At this time not a man was to be seen at the
forts nor a gun in an embrasure, nor, although flag-staffs
were on the parapets, was a flag displayed. There was
nothing to indicate that the forts were armed or manned.
"Subsequently events show this to have been a deception
and ambuscade, intended, I do not doubt, (in the confidence
of their own strength and the small force of the English,)
to invite a conflict in order to annul the treaties of last year.
"We had approached to within three hundred yards of
the first barrier, at which point, should we not be fired on,

98 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
I had proposed anchoring, when we grounded, and failed
in all our efforts to back off. The tide was falling fast, and
our situation was critical, not only from the facility with
which the batteries might demolish us, but, as we were on
the edge of a steep bank, from the probability of the steamer
falling over and filling.
"At this moment I received from Admiral James Hope
an attention and kindness which must place me under
lasting obligations to him.
" Although he had reason to think that she would be fired
upon by the forts, he sent a gun-boat to my aid, with the
message that had he known of my intention to pass up he
would have furnished me a pilot, and that he expected to
see me fired on.
"The gun-boat failed in her efforts to extricate me, and
there being, as I have said, a probability of the Toey-wan 's
falling over and filling, the Admiral dispatched a second
gun-boat to me, placing her entirely at my disposition, with
the handsome and generous offer that I should hoist on
board of her the American ensign and my own personal
flag. "I declined the offer, with a just appreciation, however,
of the personal kindness to myself and the delicate compli
ment to our service.
" The Toey-wan was more fortunate than I expected, and,
a favorable wind having sprung up, we got her off at high
water. " About two hours after grounding we sent a boat to the
nearest fort, with my Flag-lieutenant, — Mr. Trenchard, — and
the interpreters, to inform the commanding officer that the
American Minister was on board the Toey-wan on his way
to Tientsin and Peking, in accordance with our treaty and

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 99
an understanding with the Chinese Commissioners at
Shanghai. "They were met at the landing by an officer professing
to be of low rank, who said that his orders were not to
permit the removal of the barriers, and to fire on those
attempting it ; that he believed that a high officer had been
appointed to meet the Ministers at the north. He also
asserted most falsely, as subsequently shown, that there
were no troops and only a few country militia in the forts.
"Although the interpreters were allowed to get out of the
boat for greater facility of conversation, they were not per
mitted to approach the forts.
"The Toey-wan floated late in the evening, when I ob
served that the British were arranging themselves, ap
parently, for action. I therefore dropped down to the
mouth of the harbor, and below them, so that my lights
might not interfere with their signals, or my position with
their operations.
"The British in the night removed with their boats a
portion of the lower barrier, but the Chinese restored it
in the morning.
"At 2:45 p. M. on the 25th, the day specified for the ex
change of treaties, the British stood up the river for the
barriers, Admiral Hope leading in one of the gun-boats.
"This whole force consisted of ten gun-boats, including
one French, and three larger steamers of a class denomi
nated dispatch vessels, carrying in all about fifty guns.
They also had on board of some Chinese junks, at the
mouth of the river, a reserve of boats with seamen and '
marines. /
"On the Admiral's reaching the first barrier the forts \
suddenly swarmed with men, and a terrible fire from very \

100 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
heavy guns was opened on him from all the forts on both
sides of the river.
"Two of his vessels at this moment grounded near the
spot the Toey-ivan had grounded the day before.
" The British and French fought with the most determined
valor, but fifteen minutes sufficed to show me without a hope
of success.
"The fire of the Chinese was directed with fatal skill,
and was chiefly concentrated on the Admiral and the vessel
nearest to him. His flag vessel being disabled and her
crew cut up, he shifted his flag to a second, and on her
meeting the fate of the first, he again shifted it to the
Cormorant, one of the larger (dispatch) steamers. Here
again the fire was concentrated on the flag of the gallant
Admiral. "By this time, 4 p. m., several of his vessels had been
sunk, and it was evident to me that nothing could enable
him to extricate himself and retire from the hopeless con
flict but the reserve of boats and men at the junks, but
at the time the tide was running too strong for the crowded
boats to stem.
"The officer in charge of these boats now visited me. He
said nothing of aid, but this silent appeal was powerful
indeed. In the few moments he was on board he would
look, anxiously, alternately at his Admiral and at the boats.
"After he left I held a consultation with Mr. Ward, and
he agreed with me perfectly that, under all the circum
stances of our position with the English and the aid the
Admiral had tendered me the day before, I could do no less
than to tow the boats to his relief.
"I made the offer, which was thankfully and promptly
accepted.

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 101
"While the boats were making fast to hawsers, which I
veered astern, I insisted on Mr. Ward and his suite leaving
the Toey-wan and going on board the junks, for reasons
that will be obvious.
"He at first reluctantly yielded, and left us, but soon
returned in one of the English boats, declaring that, as the
Toey-wan was his home and was going under fire with his
approbation and concurrence, he would remain in he'r. I
reluctantly yielded to his gallant impulse.
"At this time a young British officer came to me from
the vessels engaged to say that the gallant Admiral was
dangerously wounded, and had but six men left. He (the
officer) had two boats sunk in reaching me.
"I towed the boats through the British line to within
a short distance of the Admiral, whose flag was flying on
the Cormorant, when, casting them off, I retired to the rear
of the line, near the French gun-boat, and anchored for
the night.
" I took up this position, as it might enable me to aid the
wounded, and, should boats be sunk, to rescue their crews.
"After anchoring I thought of the Admiral and of his
chivalrous kindness to me the day before, which, from an
unwillingness to intrude on him when he was preparing
for action, I had in no way acknowledged.
"I, therefore, with my Flag-lieutenant, — Mr. Trenchard, —
went in my barge to visit him. When within a few feet
of the Cormorant a round shot struck the boat, killed my
Coxswain, and slightly bruised my Flag-lieutenant. We
fortunately reached the Cormorant before the boat entirely
filled. "I found the Admiral lying on his quarter-deck badly
wounded. I informed him that I had called to pay my

102 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
respects, and to express my regret at his condition. After
remaining on board the Cormorant about ten minutes, I
took advantage of an English boat that was passing to
return to the Toey-wan.
"The Cormorant after this was sunk, and the Admiral
shifted his flag to a fourth vessel, — the Coromandel, — (a
thing, I believe, unprecedented), thus evincing an indomita
ble valor under very disheartening and almost hopeless
circumstances. "At dusk, about 8 p. M., a desperate attempt was made,
by landing from boats, to storm the forts, but they stood
in an impassible morass, and the assailants were repelled
with heavy loss.
"On the morning following this day and night of
slaughter — the action still continuing, but the fire more
feeble and distant; — I found that six of the English vessels
were sunk, and that the remainder had withdrawn to a more
distant and safer position, from which they could easily
retire out of gunshot.
"I now prepared to return to the Powhatan with Mr.
Ward, but first called on board the Coromandel to take leave
of the Admiral, and also on board the French gun-boat, to
inquire after the French Commodore, — Tricault, — whom I
had met on board the Cormorant when I called on the Ad
miral, and who had subsequently been wounded.
" I deferred my departure, by request, that I might tow to
their ships at sea two launch loads of the wounded English.
" On reaching the Powhatan I again dispatched the Toey-
wan into the harbor, in charge of Lieutenant Johnston,
(first of the Powhatan), with orders to remain at the
mouth of the harbor, out of fire, and to afford all aid
consistent with our neutrality. After an efficient perform-

commodore josiah tattnall. 103
ance of this duty for twenty-four hours he rejoined me.
" The sea officers with me in the Toey-wan on this service
were Captain Pearson, Lieutenants Trenchard and Semmes,
all of the Powhatan; and Midshipman Merchant of the
Germantown. The Engineer officers were Messrs. City and
Archer. Captain A. S. Taylor, of the marine corps, was also
with me. I have to thank them for their zealous services.
"My Coxswain, — John Hart, — whose death I have to
lament, was the son of John and Mary Hart, now fiving
at Jamaica, Long Island. He was a widower, but has left a
young daughter eight years old.
"I shall communicate the sad event to his parents, and
as his child whom he supported will be entitled to a pension,
may I beg the favor of you, sir, as soon as the proper
papers shall be filed at the Department, to direct that the
pension be issued without unnecessary delay?
"Hart had been a long time in the navy, having served
under me fifteen years ago.
" The English retired this morning from the river, having
recovered and brought out three of their sunken vessels and
destroyed the others.
"Their loss is about four hundred and fifty killed and
wounded, including twelve French. Eight officers are killed
and twenty-three wounded; among the wounded are the
four senior officers, including the Admiral and the French
Commodore Tricault.
"They attacked with abortt twelve hundred men.
" I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
"Josiah Tattnall,
" Flag-officer Commanding East India Squadron.
" The Hon. Isaac Toucey,
"Secretary of the Navy, Washington."

104 the Life and services of
"Gallant Americans!" exclaims a writer in Blackwood's
Magazine, uttering the dominant sentiment of the British
nation, " you and your Admiral did more that day to bind
England and the United States together, than all your
lawyers and pettifogging politicians have ever done to part
us." Flag-officer Tattnall's conduct on this occasion was but
the spontaneous expression of the courageous, generous
impulses which at all times pervaded his breast, and won
for him not only the gratitude of the United Kingdom, but
the admiration of the civilized world. His laconic excuse
for his valorous act,—" blood is thicker than water," — and the
apology offered by his boat's crew when called to account
for practically overstepping the limits of neutrals while on
board Admiral Hope's stricken vessel, — "beg pardon, sir,
they were shorthanded at the bow-gun and so we giv'd them
a help for fellowship sake," — will be treasured so long as
brave words are honored and golden deeds applauded.
With the heroic memories of this affair, the name of the
American Minister also will always be most honorably
associated. We introduce some of the correspondence relating to the
action of Flag-officer Tattnall at the Pei-ho river, that the
reader may appreciate how cordially it was approved by the
Home Government, sincerely recognized by the English
authorities, and gratefully acknowledged by the officers of
the British squadron :
" Coromandel, off the Pei-ho, 1st July, 1859.
" Sir : I have the honor to request you will accept my
acknowledgment of the services which you found it con
sistent with your duty to permit your tender, — the Toey-

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 105
ican, — to render during the 25th ultimo, and especially in
conveyance of the wounded to their vessels ; and I beg you
will accept my warmest thanks for the same.
" I have the honor to be, sir,
"Your obedient servant,
"J. Hope,
" Eear- Admiral and Commander-in-Chief."
" Flag-officer Tattnall, U. S. Steam-frigate Powhatan."

"U. S. Steam-Frigate Powhatan,
" Flag-ship East India Squadron,
" Off Pei-ho Eiver, July 2d, 1859.
"Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your communication of the 1st instant, referring to the
slight services it was in my power to render your gallant
squadron on the 25th ultimo.
" It reminds me that I have not yet thanked you officially
for your aid in extricating the Toey-wan from her embar
rassing position when on shore near the batteries, on the
24th, and for your very kind and flattering tender of the
services of one of your gun-boats, with the privilege of
hoisting on board of her the American ensign and my own
flag. "This evidence of kindness and confidence from your
service to ours will be justly appreciated by our Govern
ment, to whom I have communicated it.
" I have the honor to be, sir,
"Your obedient servant,
"Josiah Tattnall,
"Flag-officer Commanding East India Squadron."
" Eear- Admiral James Hope, Commander-in-Chief."

106 the life and services of
" H. M. Ship Assistance,
" Gulf of Pecheelee, 1st July, 1859.
" Sir : Permit me to offer to yourself and to the officers
under your command, the most sincere thanks of myself
and officers for the very kind manner in which officers and
detachments of the Eoyal Marines were received on board
the Toey-wan, a few days ago ; and for the very hospitable
manner in which they were entertained while there.
"I should have done myself the honor of thanking you
personally for this great attention and kindness, but am
unfortunately prevented from so doing by a severe wound
in the head, which I received on the 25th ultimo.
"I have the honor to be, etc., W. Lemon,
" Colonel Commanding Eoyal Marines, Expeditionary Force."
"Flag-officer Tattnall, United States Navy."

"Washington, October 10th, 1859.
"Sir: Her Majesty's Minister in China has not failed
to bear testimony to the friendly feeling of the United States
Envoy, Mr. Ward, and of Flag-officer Tattnall, and to the
assistance which they rendered during the late operations
at the Pei-ho river.
"Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs has instructed me to express to the President of
the United States, and to you, sir, the thanks of Her
Majesty's Government for the assistance thus rendered to
Her Majesty's service by those distinguished officers, and
to request that such thanks may be conveyed to them
through the regular official channel.
"I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir,
"Your most obedient humble servant, "Lyons."
" The Honorable Lewis Cass, etc., etc., etc.

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 107
"Washington, October 17th, 1859.
" Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your note of the day before yesterday's date, informing me
that in compliance with my request, the thanks of Her
Majesty's Government will be conveyed to the United States
Envoy in China, — Mr. Ward, and to Flag-officer Tattnall, —
for the friendly feeling manifested, and the assistance given
by them during the late operations at the mouth of the
Pei-ho river.
" I have received by the mail, which has just arrived from
London, instructions to address myself again to your kind
ness, and to request you to convey to Flag-officer Tattnall
the best acknowledgments of the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty, for his courteous and valuable assistance on the
occasion referred to.
"I have the honor to be,
" With the highest consideration, sir,
" Your most obedient humble servant, "Lyons."
"Honorable Lewis Cass, Secretary of State, etc., etc., etc."

"Washington, 17th October, 1859.
" My Lord : I have the honor to state that General Cass
has informed me that the United States Envoy in China, —
Mr. Ward, and Flag-officer Tattnall, — will each be furnished
with a copy of my note of the 10th instant, expressing the
thanks of Her Majesty's Government for the assistance
rendered by those distinguished officers during the late
operations at the mouth of the Pei-ho river.
"I have also the honor to inform you that I have re
quested that the best acknowledgments of the Lords Com-

108 the life and services of
missioners of the Admiralty may be conveyed to Flag-officer
Tattnall, for his courteous and valuable assistance on the
occasion referred to.
"In the course of the conversation which passed during
a visit which I paid to the President on the evening of
the 13th instant, he observed that one of the newspapers
had blamed the conduct of Mr. Ward, and Flag-officer
Tattnall, at the Pei-ho, as an improper departure from their
neutral position, but that he was sure that the assistance
rendered by them to Her Majesty's ships had met with the
hearty approbation of the great majority of the people of
the United States. "I have, etc., " Lyons."
"To Lord John Eussell, etc., etc., etc."

" Navy Department, October 22d, 1859. •
" Sir : I herewith enclose copies of two notes, dated the
10th and 17th instant, addressed to the Honorable Lewis
Cass, Secretary of State, by Lord Lyons, the British Min
ister at Washington, expressing the thanks of Her Ma
jesty's Government and the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty, for your courteous and valuable assistance to
Her Majesty's service during the late operations at the
Pei-ho river. "I am very respectfully,
" Your obedient servant, "Isaac Toucey."
" Flag-officer Josiah Tattnall,
" Commanding U. S. East India Squadron,
"Hong Kong, China."

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 109
"U. S. Steam Frigate Powhatan,
" Hong Kong, China, 28th December, 1859.
"Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of the 5th of October, containing the very ,
gratifying intelligence of the Department's approval of my
course at the Pei-ho.
"I have received from the hands of the British Admiral
a copy of a letter from Lord Lyons, relative to the same
affair, of which I inclose a copy.
"I am, sir, with great respect,
"Your obedient servant,
"Josiah Tattnall;
"Flag-officer on return from command of
"East India Squadron."
"Hon. I. Toucey, Secretary of the Navy."

"U. S. Steam-Frigate Powhatan,
"Hong Kong, December 28th, 1859.
"Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your communication of the 27th inst., and its accompani
ment, the copy of a letter from Her Britanic Majesty's
Minister at Washington to Her Majesty's Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs, relative to the part taken by the
American Minister and myself in the affair of the Pei-ho.
"I have the honor to be, etc.,
"Josiah Tattnall,
"Flag-officer, etc."
" Eear- Admiral J. Hope,
" Commander-in Chief Her Britanic Majesty's
"Naval Forces in India and China."

110 the Life and services of
"Chesapeake, at Hong Kong, 30th December, 1859.
"Sir: Should Flag-officer Tattnall be desirous of pro
ceeding in the vessel you command to 'Nagasaki,' it is my
direction that you receive him and his suite on board for
that purpose ; and you will, so far as the service in which
you are engaged permits, suit his convenience as to the time
of proceeding thither.
" Should you be on your return to Shanghai, you will
further offer the Flag-officer a passage to that port.
" I have the honor to be, sir,
"Your obedient servant, "J.Hope,
" Eear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief."
"The Commander of any British vessel-of-war at Yedo."

CHAPTEE NINTH.

Minister Ward proceeds to Peking. Treaty exchanged. Return to
Shanghai. The American Minister visits Japan as the guest of Flag-
officer Tattnall. Preparations for receiving the Japanese Embassy on
board the Powhatan. The command of the squadron transferred to
Flag-officer Stribling. Departure for Japan.
On the 8th of July the American Minister and suite, with
the Flag-officer, were conveyed in the Toey-wan toward the
mouth of the Pehtang river. As the steamer approached
the shoal water she was met by a pilot who conducted her
to the entrance where the party was transferred to three
large junks, — handsomely fitted up for the occasion, — which
proceeded to the landing. Arrangements having been made
for Mr. Ward's comfortable conveyance to Peking, under
a suitable escort, he set off for that city on the morning
of the 20th.
The following persons composed the Embassy :
His Excellency John E. Ward, Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary.
Dr. S. Wells Williams, W. Wallace Ward, Secretaries to
the Legation.
Eev. W. A. P. Martin, Eev. Wm. Aitchison, Assistant
Interpreters. Lieutenant S. D. Trenchard, Flag-lieutenant.
John L. Fox, Surgeon, (temporarily attached to the Pow
hatan.) B. F. Gallaher, Purser.
Lieutenant A. W. Habersham.
William H. Shock, Chief Engineer.
16

112 the Life and services of"
A. S. Taylor, Captain of Marines.
Henry Wood, Chaplain.
John W. Sandford, Jr., Assistant Surgeon.
George W. Heard, Esq., John L. Lurman, Attaches.
John Allmand, Secretary to Flag-officer Tattnall.
In addition to these officials, three marines accompanied
the Embassy as orderlies to the Minister, and ten Chinese
servants were taken to attend upon the party ; among whom
was an excellent cook whose services were found to be
essential to comfort.
It was Flag-officer Tattnall's intention to have accom
panied the Minister, but his health compelled him to decfine
the journey.
With the details of this* visit and the circumstances at
tendant upon the exchange of the treaty, the reader is
already familiar.
On the 17th of August the Embassy returned in the
Toey-wan. " Her arrival was hailed by Flag-officer Tattnall
and his officers as a relief from the monotonv of their
anchorage; and on the evening of the 18th the Powhatan
sailed for Shanghai with the Toey-ivan in tow."*
Says Lieutenant Johnston, executive officer of the Poiv
hatan :
"All were gratified by the results of Mr. Ward's perse
verance in effecting the exchange of the treaty, and felt
that, although it had been accomplished at some little
sacrifice of national and ministerial pride, the evident
anxiety of the Mandarins to cultivate friendly relations with
him after the catastrophe at Taku, and the absence of any
stipulation in the treaty of Tientsin requiring the exchange
to take place at the Capital, constrained him to accept the
* Lieutenant Johnston's China and Japan, p. 271. Philadelphia, 1860.

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 113
Emperor's proposal to perform that ceremony at Pehtang.
The beneficial operation of the treaty was soon felt upon
American commerce, and the English lost no time in de
manding the extension of all its privileges and immunities
to theirs, under the ' most favored nation' clause of former
treaties." The anchorage near Woosung was reached at meridian
on the 22d of August and the Minister and his suite, with
the Flag-officer, went immediately to Shanghai in the Toey-
wan; the former " receiving a parting salute of seventeen
guns, as his official connection with the Powhatan terminated
with the return of the Embassy from Peking."
"By the mail steamer which reached Shanghai on the
15th of September, Flag-officer Tattnall received informa
tion from the Navy Department, that the steamer Hartford
had sailed from the United States for Hong Kong with
Flag-officer C. K. Stribling on board, appointed to relieve
him in the command of the East India squadron ; but the
same mail brought, also, a communication authorizing him
to return to the United States via Cape Horn, touching
at Yedo, for the purpose of affording a passage to the
Japanese Embassy as far as Panama on their route to this
country. Although there was nothing in this document
which could be construed into an order to return by the
route indicated, or to detain the ship on the station until
the time appointed for the embarkation of the Embassy
(the 22d of February, 1860), Flag-officer Tattnall did not
hesitate to assume the responsibility of adopting this course,
or of incurring the expenses attending the accommodation
of so large an accession to the number of persons on board
the ship. As there was some uncertainty, however, as to
whether the Japanese Government would not finally con-

114 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
elude to defer sending an Embassy to the United States
some months longer, and the Flag-officer desired to com
municate with our Minister at Yedo on the subject as early
as practicable, the ship was prepared for sea with all dis
patch. "As Mr. Ward was enjoying a brief respite from the
duties of his official position, he determined to embrace the
opportunity offered him through the kind invitation of the
Flag-officer, to catch a hasty glimpse of the beautiful country
and the interesting people of whom he had heard such
glowing accounts from the officers of the ship. With this
pleasing prospect in view, he came on board, attended by
his suite, on the 17th, and the next morning the Powhatan
got under way to make her fourth visit to the glorious har
bor of Nagasaki."
The passage across the confluent waters of the Yellow
and Japan seas to the picturesque Island of Kin-Sin was
accomplished in three days. All being eager to reach the
imperial city of Yedo, the Powhatan remained at anchor
only one day at Nagasaki. In prosecuting her voyage, how
ever, she encountered some derangement in her machinery
which necessitated a return to this port and entailed a delay
of several days. This interval was improved by going
ashore and "seeing the lions of the place." There Mr.
Ward purchased a Japanese suit of armor which he pre
sented to Flag-officer Tattnall. The Commodore declining
the handsome gift, the Minister subsequently donated it to
the Georgia Historical Society in Savannah, where it may
still be seen.
Yokuhama was reached on the 3d of October, and soon
after the Powhatan proceeded to the anchorage off the city
of Yedo.

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 115
Here it was ascertained that the Japanese Embassy would
certainly be ready to embark for the United States on the
1st of February, 1860. The object of the visit being accom
plished, and the American Minister having a diplomatic
engagement which would admit of no further delay, the
Commodore sailed for Shanghai on the morning of the 12th,
and, after a pleasant passage, reached his old anchorage
off Woosung, on the 17th.
At nine o'clock in the morning of the 24th the Powhatan
was again under way for Kanagawa. At Yedo information
reached the Flag-officer that the Embassy would consist
of nineteen officers and fifty-two attendants. It was ne
cessary to return to Hong Kong to make final preparations
for receiving the Embassy on board, and that harbor was
reached on the 20th of November. There the command
of the squadron was transferred to Flag-officer Stribling,
who had arrived in the United States steam-sloop Hartford.
All necessary arrangements having been made for the
comfortable conveyance of the Embassy, "on the 30th of
December," says Lieutenant Johnston, — to whose interesting
work we are largely indebted for memoranda illustrative of
Commodore Tattnall's movements during the period of his
command on this station, — "the Flag-officer entertained at
dinner on board, all the principal American merchants of
the city, accompanied by General Keenan, United States
Consul, and the occasion was marked with the most cordial
and heartfelt expressions of reciprocal respect.
"The next morning we got under way, and making a
graceful turn outside of the shipping at anchor in the bay,
passed to the eastward between the English frigates Chesa-
pealce and Cambrian, near which were anchored several
smaller vessels of the squadron under Admiral Hope's com-

116 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
mand. At the moment that our ship was abreast of the
two frigates, the crews of all these vessels rushed aloft
simultaneously, and gave three hearty cheers as a parting
salutation, — a compliment which I doubt any American
man-of-war ever received before from a foreign squadron.
The cheers were answered immediately, and as we passed
ahead of the Admiral's ship, we fired a salute of thirteen
guns, with the English flag at the fore, in return for the
courtesy extended by his orders. The Chesapeake answered
the salute, and we steamed gallantly out to sea through the
Lymoon passage, bidding a final farewell to Hong Kong
and to China."

CHAPTEE TENTH.

Arrival at Yokuhama. The Japanese Embassadors received on board
the Powhatan. Departure for the United States. Touches at Honolulu.
Complimentary letter from the British residents. The Powhatan at
San Francisco. Flag-officer Tattnall proceeds to Washington. Wel
come and congratulations there extended. Assigned to the command
of the Lake Station, with his headquarters at Sackett's Harbor.
Yokuhama bay was reached on the 11th of January, 1860,
after a boisterous and disagreeable passage.
It being ascertained that the rooms built on deck were
insufficient for the suitable accommodation of the members
of the Embassy, the ship's carpenters were set to work to
prepare two additional staterooms. On the 16th the Em
bassadors came on board to pay their respects to Flag-
officer Tattnall, and inspect the ship which was to convey
them to the United States. They were received with a
salute of seventeen guns, and "expressed themselves highly
gratified by the attentions shown them, and the appear
ance of everything on board."
The Flag-officer was informed that their preparations for
embarcation would all be complete on the 9th of February.
"Punctual to the hour appointed," says Lieutenant John
ston, " the Embassadors, with their numerous retinue, were
seen coming alongside of the ship with a fleet of thirty
boats, at 3 P. M., on the 9th, and arrangements were imme
diately made for their reception, with all the marks of naval
etiquette due to their elevated rank. The Japanese flag
was run up at the fore, and the men called to their stations
for saluting, the officers paraded on the starboard side of

118 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
the quarter-deck in uniform, the marine guard on the oppo
site side, and the boatswain with his pipe and six 'side
boys,' standing by to pipe them ove'r the side, while the
band was in readiness to strike up our own national air
in honor of the occasion, the Japanese anthem not having
been composed as yet. The Embassadors were received
at the gangway by the Flag-officer, and escorted to the
poop-deck, on reaching which the salute of seventeen guns
was thundered forth from our heavy battery, to their infinite
surprise and satisfaction.
"Immediately after the ceremonies of the reception were
concluded, the usual quiet and systematic routine of duties
progressed in their ordinary channels, and desiring to make
an early acquaintance with the relative rank and individual
appellations of the large accession to the number, for whose
suitable accommodation it devolved upon me to assign quar
ters, I hastened to procure from the principal interpreter
a correct list of the persons composing the Embassy, which
is here subjoined :
"Embassador No. 1, — Simme-Boozen-no-kami.
" Embassador No. 2, — Muragaki-Awadsi-no-kami.
"Chief Censor (or Spy), — Ogure-Bungo-no-kami.
" Officers of 1st rank belonging to Embassadors, — Naruse
Gensiro, Tsucahara Jugoro.
" Officers of 1st rank belonging to Censor, — Hetaka Keisa-
buro, Osakabe Tetstaro.
"Under officers belonging to the Embassadors,— Matsmoto
Sannojio, Yosida Sagosaimon.
"Under officers belonging to the Treasurer, — Masudu Sun-
juro, Tuge Hosingoro.
" Under officers belonging to the Censor,— Kurisima Hico-
hatsiro, Lewo-sawa-Scojero.

COMMODORE JOStAH TATTNALL. 119
"Interpreters, — Namoora Gohatsiro, Tateise Tokujuro,
Tateise Onogero.
"Doctors, — Meodake, Moriyama, Cowasaki.
" This list comprises the number of officials of all grades
who came on board, to which must be added fifty-two at
tendants with various distinct vocations — such as barbers,
pike-bearers, armorers, and servants, making a total of
seventy-one persons.
"The boats containing the baggage, amounting in all to
more than fifty tons, were permitted to come alongside at
the conclusion of the salute, and, in a brief space of time,
the endless variety of packages, consisting of chests, boxes,
bales, tubs, bundles, buckets, bowls, cooking utensils, etc.,
etc., was transferred to our decks, and distributed so rapidly
by the intelligent attendants, with slight assistance from
the crew, that some little wonder was excited as to what
disposition had been made of them. The interpreters were
instructed concerning the designation of the various apart
ments appropriated to the Embassy; and in the course of
an hour these seventy-one strangers, but few of whom had
ever before been on the deck of any vessel larger than one
of their native junks, were as quietly and comfortably quar
tered as if they had spent their lives in a man-of-war.
"As soon as the boats were discharged of their contents,
the ship was got under way for Kanagawa, and reached
the anchorage near that town at about 7 P. m."
Just as the Powhatan was on the point of proceeding to
sea, it became necessary for the Flag-officer to institute an
official investigation into some allegations of partiality on
the part of the Custom House officials at Yokuhama, by
which they were charged with dispensing an undue amount
of itzibus to the officers of the Powhatan. As the honor
17

120 THE LIFE AND SERVICES Of
of his officers was involved, the Commodore caused a rigor
ous examination to be made, which demonstrated the falsity
of the charge, and completely refuted certain invidious as
persions which the English Consul General had attempted
to cast upon both the Japanese and American officers.
Any necessity for further delay being removed, on the
morning of the 13th of February, 1860, the Powhatan got
under way with the Japanese imperial ensign flying at the
fore, and, passing the town of Uraga, "steamed quietly
round Cape Sirofama into the rolling swell of the broad
Pacific." It was the first time in the history of that Empire that
Embassadors had ever been sent to a foreign government.
The Japanese were unskilled in navigation, and were com
pelled to trust to a foreign vessel the transportation of their
diplomatic representatives. Having materially assisted in
consummating the treaty, Flag-officer Tattnall, — looking to
the early establishment of commercial and friendly relations
between the two governments, — was most solicitous, during
the voyage, to extend to the Embassadors every courtesy,
and impress them with favorable views of the United States.
His hospitalities were most marked, decorous, and profuse,
and were productive of the happiest influences.
Touching at Honolulu, Flag-officer Tattnall and his guests
were the recipients of the most distinguished marks of con
sideration and kindness from the officials and prominent
citizens of the place, and also from the King himself.
The day previous to his departure, he was presented with
the following letter signed by the British residents at Hono
lulu, who, in consequence of the shortness of his visit, were
prevented from carrying into effect their intention of ten
dering to him a public demonstration :

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 121
"Honolulu, March 17, 1860.
" To the Honorable Josiah Tattnall,
" Flag-officer Commanding U. S. East India Squadron :
"Sir: We, the undersigned, British residents of the
Hawaiian Islands, beg leave to express to you, and to the
Captain and officers of the United States frigate Powhatan,
our deep regret that your departure from Honolulu at an
earlier day than we were led to expect, deprives us of the
honor and pleasure of offering to you a more public and
fitting manifestation of the feelings of gratitude and admira
tion with which we regard your gallant and humane conduct
towards bur countrymen on the occasion of the late unfortu
nate affair at the Pei-ho river.
" United as our respective countries are in blood, civiliza
tion, and commerce, we cannot undervalue, and do fully ap
preciate such instances of the brotherhood of the two nations,
as were so nobly exemplified by you, and the officers and
men under your command, on the occasion above referred to.
"The truly brave are ever generous and humane, and
such instances of bravery and kindness tend more than in
terest or diplomacy to awaken the liveliest sympathy, and
stir the heart of a great and kindred people with the noblest
emotions. "In conclusion we pray that your life may be long spared
to the credit and honor of your country, and that you may
reap that reward so justly due to one who has so signally
and gallantly proved that 'blood is thicker than water.'
" With the highest consideration and esteem, we are, sir,
"Your obedient servants,
"(Signed by the British residents."
We quote again from Lieutenant Johnston's narrative :
"On the 18th we bade adieu to the many pleasing ac-

122 THE life and services of
quaintances and friends, who had made our stay in their
midst one continued ovation in honor of the country and
the service to which we belonged, and received us with an
open-handed hospitality which made it difficult to realize
that we were in a foreign land. Steaming out of the harbor
late in the afternoon, the course was set again for the
' Golden Gate' of San Francisco, and as the weather proved
unusually mild and pleasant, the passage to that long-sought
haven was accomplished in the short space of ten and a half
days, anchoring off the city on the morning of the 29th,
with the Japanese flag at the fore, to indicate the presence
of the Embassy on board. The revenue cutter Jefferson
Davis, at anchor in the harbor, announced the distinguished
arrival by a salute of seventeen guns, which was duly re
turned by the Powhatan, the report of whose guns soon
called a tremendous crowd of anxious gazers to the wharves,
and a number of visitors on board, to behold the represen
tatives of the populous and wealthy empire which seemed
suddenly to have sprung into existence, and had sent them
with a friendly greeting to the Eureka of the West.
"The freedom of the city was extended to the entire
Embassy, and also to the officers of the Powhatan, none
of them being allowed to pay their own hotel bills or car
riage hire during their stay in the place, and the inhabitants
generally evincing a friendly interest in every one connected
with the ship or the Embassy."
Deeming it proper and expedient to precede the Embassy,
Commodore Tattnall took passage in the mail steamer of
the 5th of April, and, in due course, arrived in New York.
Thence he proceeded to Washington to report, and to sug
gest such arrangements as appeared suitable for the re
ception of the Japanese Embassadors. He was welcomed

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 123
at the Department and in the Capital with every consid
eration, and was on every hand the recipient of the most
cordial congratulations upon the services he had performed
and the honors he had gained for himself and country.
As indicating the tone of the press, we clip the following
from one of the prominent journals of the day :
"Commodore Tattnall, recently in com mand, of the East
India squadron, and who has just returned home in the
Powhatan, via San Francisco (having left that vessel there
with the Japanese Embassy), has been the recipient of dis
tinguished honors since his arrival in Washington.
" On Tuesday last he was received at the Navy Yard with
military honors, and hospitably entertained by Commodore
Buchanan in the midst of a brilliant assemblage of ladies
and naval officers. On Wesnesday he was cordially received
and entertained by his Excellency the British Minister ; and
on Thursday, we understand, he partook, by special invita
tion, of the elegant hospitalities of the President of the
United States.
" These high marks of respect were richly merited by the
veteran officer who behaved so gallantly in the sanguinary
battle on the Pei-ho between the British and French forces
on the one side, and on the other the infuriated myriads
of Chinamen, who hurled their missiles of death and de
struction from behind 'invulnerable ramparts of mud' upon
the sinking or disabled vessels of Admiral Hope. His
humane and heroic conduct on that memorable occasion
entitles him to the gratitude of civilized mankind."
Flag-officer Tattnall was present, on the 17th of May,
when the Japanese Embassadors were presented to the
President and pledges of amity between the two countries
were exchanged.

124 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
Three days afterwards, he was assigned to the command
of the Lake Station, with his headquarters at Sackett's
Harbor. This was most pleasing to him, for here had he
many friends, and here could he enjoy comparative freedom
from care and labor. He was sadly in need of rest and
physical recuperation.

CHAPTEE ELEVENTH.

Secession of the State of Georgia. Captain Tattnall's views on the
question of Secession. The devotion of a naval officer to his flag.
Trying situation. Resolves to respond to the call of his native State.
Resigns his commission in the United States Navy. Letter of accept
ance. Proceeds to Montgomery, Alabama. Letter to Governor Brown
tendering his sword to Georgia. Commissioned Senior Flag-officer in
the Navy of Georgia. Letters of Governor Brown and Adjutant-Gen
eral Wayne. Commissioned a Captain in the Confederate States navy.
Assigned to the naval defense of South Carolina and Georgia.
It was while he was in command at Sackett's Harbor that
the political disagreement, which had long been pending,
culminated in the secession of the Southern States. Com
modore Tattnall was an ardent lover of the American Union
as contemplated in and guarded by the provisions of the
Constitution. With the principles, objects, and aims of that
Constitution as framed by the fathers of the instrument,
and as expounded by the great and good men of the nation,
he was entirely familiar. The equality of the States and
the rights of person and property as guaranteed by funda
mental law, he fully appreciated. For nearly fifty years
had he followed the flag of his country in sunshine and in
storm. In his eyes it was the symbol of all that was pa
triotic, noble, and of high repute. Its honor he had ever
vindicated. To its service the devotion of a fife had been
paid. Among its supporters were his most intimate friends
and chosen companions, whose society was a sweet solace to
his declining years. The allegiance of a naval officer to
the flag of his country is more absolute than that of soldier

126 the Life and services of
or civilian. In the very nature of the case that symbol of
nationality, borne aloft upon the high seas and receiving
tributes of respect wherever displayed in distant ports,
comes to be regarded as the ever present proof of a people's
entity, as the blazon of that people's honor and power.
To bear it nobly, and, — away from government and offi
cials, — under sudden and trying circumstances, to maintain
its dignity unsullied, is the pride of the true sailor. To
extend its protection and relief in lonely places, is his
frequent duty. To uphold it manfully in the face of oppo
sition is his special trust. Bound up in that flag are his
highest and holiest hopes. It gladdens his eye in the sun
shine of peace, and covers his head in the day of battle.
He rejoices in the deep-toned thunders which salute its
presence, and glories in the grand defiance which leaps from
under its folds. His world lies witfiin its shadow. Its ser
vice is his reward, and by this token are his companionships
confirmed. To leave the service of the United States navy with all
its honors upon him, with chosen friends about him, — to
withdraw his allegiance from a flag which he had upheld
so long and so bravely, — to throw up a commission won by
nearly a half century of valor and devotion, whose emolu
ments were essential to the comfort and maintenance of
wife and daughters, — to ¦ espouse the cause of the weak
and the oppressed at the expense of friend and government,
and flag and position, involved the exercise of manhood,
self-negation, and adherence to principle most wonderful.
In one sense Commodore Tattnall had everything to lose
and nothing to gain.
His native State, Georgia, had seceded from the Federal
Union for cause which her people deemed just and sufficient.

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. • 127
She called upon her sons everywhere to rally to her stan
dard, for the air was filled with threats of violence and
coercion. His action, under the circumstances, was just
what might have been expected from one of his exalted
manhood and knightly honor. The traditions of his native
State to whom his supreme allegiance was due, his Southern
blood, and his personal qualities of courage and chivalry
inclining him always to sympathy with the feeble and the
wronged, all drew him with a pathos, which his great heart
sought not to withstand, to the immediate service of Geor
gia. Eegarding not his advanced years, laying aside the
allurements of present position, with its honors and emolu
ments so essential to his own comfort and the support of
those who were dependent upon him, and spurning all
considerations of a personal and selfish character, he with
out hesitancy determined to obey the call and follow the
fortunes of his native State. He paused not to criticize
her action. As a loyal son, at the expense of everything,
he resolved to come to her rescue. He did what General
Eobert E. Lee did under similar circumstances ; and even
the most malevolent cannot find it in his conscience to
gainsay the heroism and the genuine patriotism of the act.
The question was one not of expediency, but of duty ; not
of casuistry, but of self sacrifice and loyalty to State and
people. In Georgia he held no property, and therefore
there entered into his brave soul no sordid fear of confisca
tion. South of the- Potomac there was nothing which
specially claimed protection at his hands save his State
and her people. In the rectitude of her position, when
assumed, he confided. To her supremacy he yielded. It
would be idle to deny that this resolution to sever his con
nection with the navy of the United States was formed
18

128 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
without pain and regret. Most keenly did he deplore the
necessity, and yet most heroically did he respond to the
emergency. Had his course, under these trying circum
stances, been other than it was, it would have stultified
our conception of his exalted character. In the expediency
and policy of secession we believe Commodore Tattnall
did not sympathize. From the first he was of opinion that
war, — gigantic war, — would be born of the act, with all the
chances of "ultimate success in favor of the Northern States
with their vast preponderance of wealth and men and muni
tions. To a naval officer of rank and experience the pros
pect of command in the Confederacy, — entirely destitute
of vessels of war and without the means of facile construc
tion, — was gloomy and depressing. The thought of turning
his back upon so many of his brother officers, and of taking
service in opposition to them was peculiarly trying. Some
of them, — such for example as Eear Admiral Hiram Pauld
ing and Captain Henry W. Morris, — he cherished with
fraternal affection. But, although these things deeply
moved him, they did not deter him from the performance
of what he conceived to be his duty.
Proceeding to Washington he resigned the commission
which he held in the navy of the United States. Its ac
ceptance was couched in the following language :
"Navy Department, 21st February, 1861.
" Sir : Your resignation as a Captain in the navy of the
United States, tendered in your letter of the 20th instant, is
hereby accepted. "I am, respectfully,
" Your obedient servant,
"I. Toucey."
" Josiah Tattnall, Esq., Late Captain U. S. Navy,
"Washington, D. C."

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 129
The President of the United States, and the Secretary
of State, — the Honorable Lewis Cass, — in the kindest terms
urged him to reconsider his determination. Most flatter
ingly did they allude to his present position and past ser
vices in the navy, and earnestly did they express their
regrets that the service was about to lose an officer so much
valued and honored. The Secretary of the Navy also took
leave of the Commodore with warm expressions of sym
pathy, and of sincere regret for the necessity which im
pelled him to the adoption of this course.
His accounts adjusted, he went to Montgomery, Ala
bama, — where the Provisional Congress of the Confederate
States was then in session, — that he might observe the
operations of the newly formed government and render
any aid in his power.
From that city he addressed the following, communication
to the Governor of Georgia : "Montgomery, Alabama,
"25th February, 1861.
"Your Excellency:
"I received, on the 12th instant, at Sackett's Harbor
(Lake Ontario) where I was then in command, an ordinance
of the convention of the State of Georgia, of the 25th
January last, providing for the reception into the service
of the State of those officers of the navy of the United
States, citizens of Georgia, who might resign their com
missions. "I accordingly repaired, without delay, to Washington,
and having tendered, on the 20th instant, the resignation
of my commission, hastened to this city ; judging from a
telegraphic dispatch I received from Mr. Toombs that such
would be your wish.

130 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
"The acceptance of my resignation has only this day
reached me.
"I have now the honor to report myself to your Excel
lency, and to inform you that I shall await your orders at
this place. "I have the honor to be,
"Your Excellency's
" Obedient servant,
"Josiah Tattnall,
"Late Captain United States Navy."
In due course the following replies were received from
Governor Brown and Adjutant-General Wayne :
" Executive Department,
" mllledgeville, georgia,
"February 28th, 1861.
"Josiah Tattnall, Late Captain United States Navy :
"Dear Sir:
"Your patriotic letter of the 25th instant is now before
me, in which you inform me of your resignation of the
position which you have long held in the United States
Navy, in which it affords me pleasure to know you have
rendered signal and distinguished services to your country.
You now tender your services to your native State, which,
as her Executive, I gladly accept.
"I herewith transmit to you a commission as Senior Flag-
officer in the navy of Georgia and respectfully request its
acceptance, after which, as soon as convenient, you will
please report in person to this Department for orders.
"I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
" Your obedient servant,
" Joseph E. Brown."

commodore josiah tattnall. 131
" Executive Department,
" Adjutant-General's Office,
"Milledgeville, Ga., February 28, 1861.
" Senior Flag-officer Josiah Tattnall,
"Georgia Navy, Montgomery, Ala. :
"Sir: "His Excellency, the Governor and Commander-in-Chief
of this State, desires me to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the 25th instant, which he will also reply to him
self, and to enclose to you the commission within of Senior
Flag-officer in the navy in the service of the State of Geor
gia, to correspond in all respects with that rank in the United
States service. If you accept the commission, fill up and
subscribe the oath of allegiance, also enclosed, and return
it with your letter of acceptance to this office for file, and
report for duty to the Commander-in-Chief.
" Very respectfully,
" Your obedient servant,
" Henry C. Wayne,
" Adjutant-General."
This commission of Senior Flag-officer in the navy of
Georgia was accepted by Commodore Tattnall. In March,
1861, having received from the Provisional Government of
the Confederate States a commission as Captain in the Con
federate Navy, he applied to the Governor of Georgia for his
instructions with regard to the acceptance or refusal of such
commission. At the instance of the Governor he did accept
that commission, and was thereupon ordered to take com
mand of the naval defense of the waters of Georgia and
South Carolina. For this service he was directed to impro
vise a squadron composed of such light steamers and river

132 THE life and services of
craft as he might be able to secure. This he did as effi
ciently as the limited means at command would permit. His
force was distributed along tfie coast from Port Eoyal to the
sounds south of the mouth of the Savannah ; the present
mission being to render assistance to vessels expected from
England with munitions of war for the State of Georgia
and the Confederate States.

CHAPTEE TWELFTH.

Confederate naval operations in Port Royal harbor in November, 1861.
Having received information that the Federal fleet had
left Fortress Monroe for Port Eoyal, Commodore Tattnall
at once departed from Savannah with his little squadron
for that point. On arrival, he found the enemy with forty-
one vessels off that port. An advance division of the fleet,
consisting of ten vessels, was engaged in sounding the
channel from which the Confederates had removed all marks
and buoys. With a view to the interruption of these opera
tions, and to cause delay in the impending demonstration
against the Confederate defenses so that they might be
further strengthened, Commodore Tattnall, with three of his
wretched little river steamers, attacked this division. After
an engagement of forty minutes he was compelled, by the
long-range rifle guns of the enemy, to retire under the guns
of the Confederate batteries. So frail was the character
of his vessels, and so light their armament when contrasted
with the heavy metal of the opposing ships, that close
action was entirely out of the question. That the pre
liminary surveys of the enemy might be further impeded,
and to gain time for the Confederate land forces busily en
gaged in confirming their positions, Commodore Tattnall re
newed the attack at day-light the next morning. In this
affair his flag-ship, the Savannah, sustained slight injury.
On the morning of the 7th of November, 1861, the enemy
entered the harbor of Port Eoyal, and, after an engagement
of some four hours, silenced the Confederate forts. As the

134 THE LIFE AND SERVICES Of
frigate Minnesota, — flying the flag of Flag-officer Dupont, —
led in, Commodore Tattnall opened fire upon her.
For the particulars of this engagement, so far as they
relate to the Confederate naval vessels then present, we
refer to the ensuing contemporaneous account penned by
an eye-witness :
"Editor Savannah Eepublican :
" Having been present on board of the Confederate States
steamer Savannah, bearing the flag of Flag-officer Tattnall,
during the late, to us, disastrous fight at Port Eoyal, I feel it
to be an act no more than due to the officers and men of the
several government vessels therein engaged, to report to
the public the role that each and all of them sustained with
honor to themselves and to the cause, of the ultimate success
of which, by their patriotism, skill, and bravery, they are
no unfitting exponents.
"It is, and long has been, a matter of deep regret to the
officers of our nascent navy that the Confederate Govern
ment has not hitherto been able to afford them, in their
line, facilities to reap results, as glorious or valuable to
the greater advancement of our cause as have been obtained
by the land forces in Virginia and elsewhere. But notwith
standing all this, wherever they have been placed, and
under whatsoever adverse circumstances they have labored,
their services will, no doubt, in future be acknowledged
and appreciated in the impartial reckoning of results and
distribution of favors at the end of this war.
"The fleet witfi which Flag-officer Tattnall has been
furnished to encounter the navy of the enemy is, by no
means, of as powerful a character as even the now over
strained resources of the government might readily place

flOMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 135
in his charge. One frail river steamboat, the Savannah,
with two or three tugs improvised into 'men-of-war,' com
prises his whole force. Our entire appreciation of this fact
may, perhaps, the more clearly enable people to acknowl
edge the merit of the late action, and the advantages, de
rived thereby, from our little naval force at Port Eoyal.
" It was on the morning of the 2d ultimo that Flag-officer
Tattnall received reliable information at Savannah that
the enemy's fleet had sailed from Hampton Eoads for Port
Eoyal, South Carolina. He instantly departed thence with
his whole available force, consisting of the paddle steamer
gun-vessels Savannah, 2d Lieutenant Commanding J. N.
Maffitt; the Resolute, 2d Lieutenant Commanding J. Pem
broke Jones ; the Sampson, 2d Lieutenant Commanding J.
Kennard ; and the Lady Davis, 2d Lieutenant Commanding
J. Eutledge.
" The Monday after his arrival, he found the enemy, forty-
four sail strong, off the mouth of the harbor. Perceiving
several of their vessels to be engaged near the bar in taking
soundings, he instantly, with his small force, attacked them
at a distance of but a mile and a half ; and, after a cannon
ading of forty minutes, during which he succeeded in en
trapping three of the enemy's screw pelters under the fire
of our batteries, finding that he had to encounter English
rifled guns, he retired inside the harbor.
"The day after (Tuesday), he again engaged the enemy
at long shots for upwards of half an hour, apparently with
some effect ; the flag ship Savannah receiving no further
injury from the reception of two shots, than a temporary
one to her upper works, and the remaining vessels of the
squadron receiving no hurt whatever.
" Early in the evening of this day we were all much grati-
19

136 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
fied by the arrival of Captain Page, Confederate Navy, of
Virginia, the second in command to Flag-officer Tattnall,
of the Georgia and Carolina coast. This accomplished offi
cer, whose reputation in the old service, to which he has
long been a bright ornament, is well known, was a most
valuable addition to our force, and, as events proved, to
the army also, which is somewhat indebted to his personal
exertions for the satisfactory retreat made by them, when
even their usual bravery, most memorably displayed as
it was, failed to quite support them in their hour of need.
"Every one on board the little fleet expected an attack
from the enemy during the night, yet every officer and man
of it was cool and collected. Sensible of the fearful odds
which, at any moment, they might be called upon to en
counter, and fully resolved to meet, as far as lay in their
power, any issue forced upon them with the spirit of ' true
Southern sailors,' they awaited, with courage in their hearts
and resolve stamped upon their every countenance, the
approach of a foe to whom, from old association, they took
peculiar pride in showing themselves ready to stand by their
cause like men 'sans peur et sans reproche.' But the Ameri
can fleet did not attempt an entrance, and morning dawn
showed it to be in the position of the day previous. Another
twenty-four hours passed only to reveal the same mysterious
inaction on the part of the enemy.
"Thursday morning, however, at about half-past nine,
their fleet was seen to ' get under way' and stand into the
harbor in the following order : The Minnesota, 51, a screw,
leading, the flag of Flag-officer Dupont at the mizzen, closely
followed by the paddle-wheel steam frigate Susquehannah,
15 ; the San Jacinto, 14, screw steam corvette, and a number
of screw and paddle pelters, mounting rifled guns, one of

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 137
which towed in a sailing 'Jackass frigate,' not recognized
by our officers with certainty, but supposed to have been
the Cumberland, 24. At nine o'clock, having got within
range, they opened quite a heavy fire upon the batteries,
which was returned by them with spirit.
" Flag-officer Tattnall ordered the anchor of the Savannah
. hove up when the enemy had advanced to within a mile and
a half of him, and steaming up toward Hilton Head battery,
«took a raking position upon the bow of the largest American
frigate, then hotly engaging it, and opened fire with his
thirty-two's upon her, to which, however, she did not deign
immediately to reply.
"Our distance was too great (being that of a mile),1 and
our guns were of too light a calibre to enable us to do her
much, if any, injury. Several excellent shots were made
by Midshipman B. Moses, commanding the after gun, but
with what effect was, of course, impossible for us to de
termine. All this time the enemy's frigate was gradually
nearing us for the double purpose of enfilading the battery
and returning the respects of our little vessel ; but the Com
modore, disliking to run unless under a fire, and that a hot
one, only gave the order to retreat when the frigate, round
ing to, discharged her first gun at us, and the Susquehannah
commenced a pursuit.
"We soon found the frigate to be rapidly gaining upon
us, and that if we were not in the meantime blown out of
the water, Skull creek was our only haven of refuge from
a prison in the great American metropolis. The Minnesota,
evidently disposed to return our attentions of the last two
days once and forever, discharged, at a distance of eight
hundred yards, three broadsides in quick succession against
our miserable cockle-shell, but thanks to her poor gunnery

138 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
and our luck, we were only hit once by an eleven inch shell
that entered our port wheel-house, carrying away bulk
heads and stancheons, though hurting no one, from the
fact that it did not explode, and lit upon the starboard side
of the gun-deck, passing within two feet of Captain Page
who was superintending the working of the forward gun.
At this juncture we were so close to the enemy's ships that
their crews could, with the naked eye, be distinctly seen
ramming home the guns, and Flag-officer Tattnall regretting
his inability to return the high-flown compliments of Flag-
officer Dupont in a more satisfactory manner, ordered his
blue flag dipped three times to him in token of his acknowl
edgments of the same.
" We reached Skull creek in safety at about eleven o'clock,
and went alongside of ' Seabrook's Landing,' when the Flag-
officer instantly dispatched our marines, under the com
mand of Captain G. Holmes, of Savannah, an experienced
officer, over the other side of the island to render assistance
to the fatigued garrison of the battery, — Captain Page, at the
request of the Flag-officer, superintending the debarkation.
"They were followed an hour afterwards by Flag-officer
Tattnall, Captain Page, and Midshipman Barron Carter, of
Augusta, — the Flag-officer's Aid, — who preceded all the
available seamen of the steam gun-vessels Savannah and
Sampson, with some few marines of the latter vessel under
the command of Lieutenant Philip Porcher, of South Caro
lina, ordered to make speed with all our naval ammunition
to the battery which, at this time, . appeared to be hard
pressed. "I accompanied the command of Lieutenant Porcher to
within a half mile of the battery. Before reaching that
point, however, the firing between the battery and shipping

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 139
had ceased, and the Lieutenant, from the number of strag
gling soldiers en route to the landing 'in search of their
companies,' thought things not exactly as they should be,
and so remarked, but he nevertheless kept on his course
until informed officially by an army officer, of the garrison
being in the enemy's possession, and advised him to ' make
the best of his way back to his vessel.' This advice he
partially followed by countermarching his men, in good
order, at common time.
"I, however, not being an active participant in the affair,
but merely a spectator, pushed further on to learn the fate
of the Flag-officer, and Captain Holmes' command, and
met them at a distance of a quarter of a mile from the
battery. Captain Holmes was missing. He, upon his near
approach to the fort, had gone on in advance of his com
pany to see how matters stood and had not returned, when
the Commodore finding all to be lost, and conceiving the
Captain to have been captured, ordered Lieutenant Eaney,
of Florida, the second in command, to follow after him
with his men to the steamer ; to use his own words, ' feel
ing no fear for the success of the retreat, or his personal
safety, with so reliable an officer in his rear.'
"When we reached Seabrook's Landing the steamer Sa
vannah had left for the city to repair damages sustained
in the engagement, but the paddle gun-vessel Sampson,
Lieutenant Commanding Kennard, received us all on board,
and afterwards, at the request of certain army officers, many
of the volunteers who, most unfortunately, had not yet
been able to find their companies, and were consequently
in much disorder. The embarkation of these last was su
perintended by Captain Page, and detained us until late
in the evening.

140 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
" At 11 o'clock the paddle gun- vessel Resolute, 2d Lieute
nant Commanding Jones, arrived at Pope's Jetty from Sa
vannah, where she had been sent early in the morning with
dispatches from the Flag-officer commanding. At this Jetty
Lieutenant Jones found a crowd of soldiers who expressed
an evident desire to 'join their companies on the opposite
shore,' and gave earnest that were he to tow them over to
it in flats procured for the purpose, it would be a small
favor gratefully received. This much he did for them, and
made a report to the Flag-officer afterwards, from whom
he received a warm approval for 'the celerity with which
he had executed his orders,' and for 'the new instance of
that discretion he always evinced whenever left to the ex
ercise of his better judgment.'
" One act performed by the navy was so important to
the safe retreat of the troops and, withal, so illustrative of
the two gallant officers, Lieutenants Jones and Johnston
who conceived it, that, upon the common principle, although
apostolic, of 'honor to whom honor is due,' I cannot forbear
from giving it a passing notice.
" It seems that Lieutenant Commanding Jones, after he
had taken off to his steamer all the troops from Pope's
Jetty whom he supposed desirous to retreat on board,
returned to the other one, in order to communicate with
the tFlag-officer, and, upon his arrival there, learned that
two brass guns were left mounted and unspiked by an ar
tillery company on the jetty he had just left. He instantly,
with Lieutenant Johnston, Confederate Navy, of Tennessee,
volunteered to attempt their recovery, which proposition
was readily accepted and warmly approved by the Com
mander-in-Chief. Accordingly, at about twelve o'clock, his
steamer, the Resolute, again changing her course, reached

Commodore josiah tattnalL. 141
the lower, or Pope's Jetty, when Lieutenant Johnston, at
the order of Mr. Jones, went ashore, accompanied by young
Midshipman Chew, and found the guns in the same posi
tion and condition in which they had been described. The
Lieutenant, however, not desiring by a hasty act to possibly
retard, if not disconcert any plan of the army, first hailed a
steamboat containing the company whose guns they were,
desiring to know if they contemplated leaving them behind5
and received for reply that, ' not being of any further use to
them, they were spiked and left.' Lieutenant Johnston read
ily removed with his fingers the ends of two priming wires
that had been thrust into the touch-holes of the guns and
substituted in their places substantial rat-tail files, with
which he had provided himself for the purpose. He then
succeeded in dismounting one of the guns and throwing
it overboard ; the other he was obliged to leave on its car
riage on the wharf, for want of time.
"Flag-officer Tattnall left the island, with the Resolute
and Sampson, at about 2 A. M. for Savannah, which he
reached a little after day-light, carrying with him as pas
sengers many of the officers and men from the captured
garrison. "It is, Mr. Editor, superfluous to mention the conduct
of individual officers in a position where all have proven
themselves so meritorious. Of the Lieutenants command
ing it may be said that they did their duty manfully, as
men of the old line could not but have done. Our little fleet
has some of the finest of that line, too. Lieutenants Jones
and Jofinston having been mentioned, young Lieutenant
Wilburn Hall, of Georgia, who wore in action the sword
presented him by the American Government for the first
character and scholarship of all his date at the naval school,

142 THE life AND SERVICES OF
and Midshipman Seals, the Executive Officer of Commo
dore Tattnall's flag ship, having, by their coolness and cour
age, given pretty strong evidence that they will some day
'possess a gazette of their own,' and being the only officers
under my observation during the fight, I can do no better
than to adduce their conduct as an index to that of all
the other officers in the fleet.
" Eespectfully, etc.,
"An Eye- Witness."

CHAPTEE THIRTEENTH.

Attack upon the Federal vessels blockading the port of Savannah. Bat
tery Cheves erected, and manned by the navy. Ineffectual efforts to
defeat Federal operations looking to the investment of Fort Pulaski.
Convoys a six months' supply of provisions to the fort. Pulaski
isolated. Projected assault upon the battery on Oakley island. Con
gratulatory letter to Captain Buchanan on the success of the Virginia.
With a view to testing the range of some rifle guns lately
received on the station, and to afford his men some practice,
on the 26th of December, 1861, the Commodore attacked,
with his flotilla, the enemy's blockading vessels then lying
in the mouth of the Savannah river. Eetiring before his
fire, the enemy stood out to sea. After a pursuit of several
miles, and having demonstrated the inefficient character of
the guns, the Confederate flotilla returned to its ancfiorage.
The Commodore's attention was now earnestly directed to
the establishment of suitable defenses along the water ap
proaches to Savannah. On a small island opposite Fort
Jackson he constructed a battery which, in honor of Doctor
Cheves who superintended its erection, was called Battery
Cheves. A part of its armament consisted of some long
32-pounder ship's guns furnished by the Navy Department
from the Norfolk Navy Yard upon the requisition of the
Commodore. This work enfiladed the approach by the river
channel, and its tenure and defense were then confided to
the navy. Fire rafts were also prepared at his suggestion,
and placed in the Savannah near Fort Jackson.
During the late fall and early winter of this year, the
Federals commenced operations looking to the isolation and
final reduction of Fort Pulaski. Possessing a numerous
20

144 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
fleet of gun boats, — -well armed and of light draught, — -they
were able to ascend the inlets and creeks permeating the
delta of the Savannah river, select positions for investing
batteries, and cover their working parties. In the efforts
to retard them in their design, the flotilla of the Commo
dore was active ; but the vessels composing it were inade
quate to flie task.
On the 28th of January, 1862, perceiving that its isolation
was at hand, the General Commanding requested Commo
dore Tattnall to convoy a six months' supply of provisions
to Fort Pulaski. To do this it was necessary to pass
through a cross fire from thirteen of the enemy's vessels ; —
seven of them lying in Lazaretto creek, south of the Sa
vannah river, and six in the channel running between Turtle
and Jones islands towards the Carolina shore. Although
the enemy's fire was heavy, and, considering the distance,
well directed, the provisions were safely thrown into the
fort, and the vessels returned to Savannah without injury.
The Navy Department was at this time advised by the
Commodore that the enemy, whenever so disposed, could
take possession of the Savannah river in rear of Fort
Pulaski. He urged forward, by every means at command,
the completion of the defensive works in the vicinity of
Fort Jackson. Why the Federals did not, at this epoch,
advance their gun boats for the capture of Savannah ap
pears inexplicable. It has been suggested that the presence
of Commodore Tattnall and of some of the best officers
of the old navy, then under his command, may have exerted
no inconsiderable influence in inclining the enemy to caution.
That the Federals were informed of the condition and
character of the works then existent for the protection of
Savannah, cannot be doubted.

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 145
The removal of the obstructions placed by the Confed
erates in Wall's cut, — a channel connecting New and Wright
rivers, — afforded the enemy's gun-boats the means of en
tering the Savannah river in rear of Fort Pulaski without
encountering the fire of its guns, and of covering Federal
working parties employed in the erection of investing bat
teries at Venus' Point and on Oakley island. During the
month of February the enemy maintained such a formidable
force of gun-boats in and around the Savannah river, that
the little Confederate flotilla was entirely prevented from
reconnoitering its channel and the creeks communicating
with the sound. By operating at night and keeping quiet
during the day, much work had been accomplished before
the precise location of these investing batteries was ascer
tained. Upon unmasking his works at Venus' Point and
on Oakley island, — the one mounting eight heavy guns and
the other nine,— it was apparent that the isolation of Fort
Pulaski was complete, and that its reduction was simply a
question of time, unless prompt relief could be afforded.
The enemy was also employed in the erection of formidable
batteries on Tybee island, and at other points, for the
bombardment of the fort.
General Eobert E. Lee, — then commanding the military
department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, — had
an interview with Flag-officer Tattnall, in which the possi
bility of relieving Fort Pulaski was earnestly and carefully
discussed. The Commodore expressed the opinion (in
which General Lee fully concurred) that there was no way
of doing so except by a successful assault upon the battery
erected on Oakley island. This carried, additional men and
munitions might be thrown into the fort. General Lee re
garded such an attempt as entirely too hazardous. Stung

146 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
by some remarks attributed to General Lee, and repeated
by some one to the Flag-officer, the latter determined to
lead his entire force, in open boats, in an assault upon
the battery on Oakley island. Early on the morning pre
ceding the night upon which this assault was to be made,
General Lee, — learning the Flag-officer's determination,—
called at Commodore Tattnall's quarters in the city of Sa
vannah, and expressed a desire to see Captain Tattnall of
the marines, one of the Flag-officer's aids. To this officer
General Lee addressed himself very warmly, and asked how
he had best approach Commodore Tattnall in order to
attempt to dissuade him from making an attack prompted
perhaps by a wounded professional pride, and which, if
unsuccessful, would leave the river approaches to the city
practically open to the enemy ? The aid responded : he
believed the contemplated attack to be very desperate in
its character; but, as it would be his duty to accompany
the Flag-officer, such fact rendered it out of the question
for him to take a step towards preventing its execution.
Subsequently the General sent a messenger to the Flag-
officer asking a confidential interview. During that inter
view General Lee gave distinct utterance to his fears for
the fate of Savannah in the event that the attack failed
of the desired result. After hearing the General, Com
modore Tattnall so far modified fiis plans as to confess
himself willing to be governed by the views of such officers
of the navy and army as he should assemble and consult
in council. The officers were convened ; and, after due
deliberation, they came to this conclusion :
" Confederate States Steamer Savannah,
"February 28th, 1862.
" Sir : Having been requested by you to express our opin-

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 147
ion as to the advisability of an attack by the vessels of your
squadron, assisted by two hundred men of the army in
boats, on the 'battery' at 'Oakley island,' we report as
follows :
"The boats and vessels would be subjected to a heavy
fire of 'grape' and 'cannister' at short range from the battery,
supported by a cross-fire from the gun-boats and battery
opposite, and we are of the opinion that the result would
in all probability be a failure, attended with great loss of
life and vessels. In that event, our present preparations
for the defense of Savannah would be thrown away, and a
fearfully depressing moral effect produced. Should such an
expedition prove successful, it would result in the spiking
of a few of the enemy's guns and a slight retardation in
their advance, with such a loss of men and arms on our
side as in the result to decrease our means of defending
Savannah, which we deem the all-important object, both
on shore and afloat.
" Very respectfully, "Your obedient servants,
"J. Eutledge, Lieut. Comd'g.
"J. S. Kennard, Lieut. Comd'g.
" J. Pembroke Jones, Lieut. Comd'g.
" O. F. Johnston, Lieut. Comd'g.
" Wm. P. A. Campbell, Lieut. Comd'g.
" Philip Porcher, Lieut. Comd'g.
"Edward C. Anderson, Major Artillery."
" To Flag-officer Josiah Tattnall,
" Commanding Naval Forces,
"Georgia and South Carolina."
The contemplated attack was consequently relinquished.
This was the only occasion during the war when the Com-

148 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
modore suffered himself to be swerved a hair's breadth from
the path of duty as pointed out by his professional judg
ment and matured experience. He was moved to this de
parture because his professional pride had been wounded
by some remarks erroneously attributed to a soldier and
a gentleman for whom he entertained the highest esteem,
and with whom he was then cooperating in the defense
of Savannah.
Had the attack been made, it would probably have re
sulted disastrously, for several of the Federal gun-boats
remained in supporting distance of the battery on Oakley
island. By the 17th of March, through the combined efforts of
the commanders of the naval and land forces, the river
approaches to Savannah were rendered secure against a
dash from the enemy.
Upon earliest receipt of the intelligence of the brilliant
and remarkable exploit of Flag-officer Buchanan, off New
port News, in the Confederate iron-clad Virginia, Flag-offi
cer Tattnall penned this letter of congratulation, in every
line of which are eloquently expressed love of country, joy
at the success of a life-long friend, — his junior in rank, —
pride in the navy, admiration of valor, and genuine nobility
of soul : "Savannah, Ga., 12th March, 1862.
" My Dear Buchanan :
"The reports from Norfolk have kept us in a state of
hopeful, but painful anxiety in regard to your unexampled
combat off Newport News, until the accounts of last even
ing reported the result and the return of the ships to Nor
folk. I congratulate you, my dear friend, with all my heart

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 149
and soul, on the glory you have gained for the Confederacy
and yourself. The whole affair is unexampled, and will
carry your name to every corner of the Christian world and
be on the tongue of every man that deals in salt water.
That which I admire most in the whole affair is the bold
confidence with which you undertook an untried thing. To
have faltered, or to have doubted, might have been fatal;
but you proved yourself (as the old navy always esteemed
you) a man not of doubt or faltering when you had under
taken an adventure. If your wound be severe I shall regret
it, but if it be not so, your friends will not find fault, as it
crowns your worth.
" I hope that Congress will make you an Admiral and put
you at the head of the navy. You have my vote for it from
my very heart, and I am sure that all your seniors will cry
'Amen.' You don't know how much you have aided in
removing the gloom which recent military events had cast
over us. Do let some friend at your bedside write me one
line to tell me the nature of your wound. God bless you,
my dear Buchanan. " Your friend, very truly,
"Josiah Tattnall."
"P. S. — The enemy have cut us off from Fort Pulaski, but
the fort is well supplied with provisions, etc., and is in excel
lent condition."
"Flag-officer Franklin Buchanan, C. S. N."
It is while listening to a message like this, — intended only
for the ear of a friend, — that we catch a glimpse of the inner
life of Commodore Tattnall and learn to appreciate more
surely his exalted manhood, generosity, and nobleness of
heart. As an utterance from the grave it enforces deep
attention, and perpetuates the virtues of the old hero sleep
ing so quietly beneath the moss-clad oaks of Bonaventure.

CHAPTEE foueteenth.

Ordered to take command of the naval defenses of the waters of Virginia,
and to hoist his flag on board the Virginia. Official communications
in regard to the condition of the Virginia, and showing the expecta
tions entertained of her future service. Offers battle to the Monitor.
Official report to the Secretary of the Navy. Embarrassing position
of Flag-officer Tattnall. Letter to General Joseph E. Johnston. Com
munication to Mr. Mallory requesting to be relieved of command if
the navy was to be regarded as under the control of the military.
Confederate army withdrawn from the Peninsula. Norfolk abandoned.
The Virginia destroyed. Letter of Flag-officer Tattnall to Secretary
Mallory detailing the necessity for, and the circumstances attendant
upon the act.
Flag-officer Bucfianan being disabled by wounds received
during the recent naval engagement in Hampton Eoads,
in which he had displayed such conspicuous gallantry and
secured for the Confederacy a victory so illustrious that its
fame, trumpet-tongued, encompassed the civilized world,
quite unexpectedly to himself, and wholly unsought, the
following orders were received by Flag-officer Tattnall :
" Confederate States of America,
"Navy Department,
"Eichmond, March 25th, 1862.
"Flag-officer Josiah Tattnall,
" Commanding Naval Defenses, Etc.,
"Navy Yard, Norfolk, Va. :
"Sir: You will take command of the naval defenses of
the waters of Virginia and hoist your flag on board the
Virginia. The following vessels for the present are under

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. Is!
your command : Patrick Henry, Jamestown, Raleigh, Beau
fort, and Teazer.
" The results of the recent naval engagement in Hampton
Eoads demonstrated the offensive and defensive power of
the Virginia. To an officer of your experience the Depart
ment refrains from giving any specific instructions as to
tfie employment of the Virginia, beyond the general in
struction that she is to be made as destructive to the enemy
as possible.
"Herewith you have a copy of the letter addressed by
the Department to Flag-officer Buchanan when he assumed
command of the squadron now placed under your command.
"I am, respectfully,
"Your obedient servant,
"S. E. Mallory,
"Secretary of the Navy."

"Confederate States,
" Navy Department,
i "Eichmond, February 24th, 1862.
" Flag-officer Franklin Buchanan,
"Navy Yard, Norfolk, Va. :
" Sir : You are hereby detached from the office of Orders
and Detail, and will proceed to Norfolk and report to Flag-
officer Forrest for the command of the naval defenses of
the James river.
"You will hoist your flag on the Virginia, or any other
vessel of your squadron, which will, for the present, embrace
the Virginia, Patrick Henry, Jamestown, Teazer, Raleigh, and
Beaufort. "The Virginia is a novelty in naval construction, is un-
21

152 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
tried and her powers unknown ; and hence the Department
will not give specific orders as to her attack upon the enemy.
Her powers as a ram are regarded as very formidable, and
it is hoped that you will be able to test them. Like the
bayonet charge of infantry, this mode of attack, while the
most destructive, will commend itself to you in the present
scarcity of ammunition. It is one also that may be ren
dered destructive at night against the enemy at anchor.
Even without guns the ship would, it is believed, be formid
able as a ram.
"Could you pass Old Point and make a dashing cruize
in the Potomac as far as Washington, its effect upon the
public mind would be important to our cause.
" The condition of our country, and the painful reverses
we have just suffered, demand our utmost exertions; and,
convinced as I am that the opportunity and the means for
striking a decisive blow for our navy are now -for the first
time presented, I congratulate you upon it, and know that
your judgment and gallantry will meet all just expectations.
"Action, prompt and successful action now, would be of
serious importance to our cause, and with my earnest wishes
for success, and for the happiness of yourself, officers, and
crew, "I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"S. E. Mallory,
"Secretary of the Navy."
Eesponding at once to the order, Commodore Tattnall
proceeded to Norfolk, and, on the 29th of March, 1862, took
command of the squadron consisting of the iron-clad Vir
ginia and the wooden gun-boats Patrick Henry, Jamestown,
Raleigh, Beaufort, and Teazer. These gun-boats were small
vessels, originally built for commercial purposes, with their

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 153
engines exposed to the direct effect of shot, and illy-adapted
to the uses of war. They were capable, nevertheless, of
rendering good servioe under fire. Upon the enemy they
inflicted much injury, and gained for their commanders no
inconsiderable distinction.
To carry out these instructions of the Navy Department,
after their obedience by Flag-officer Buchanan and his
demonstration of the character and power of the Virginia,
was an affair quite different from what it at first was. When
that gallant officer steamed down in the Virginia to attack
the Congress and the Cumberland off Newport News, the
enemy regarded him as courting either destruction or re
pulse. The power developed by the Virginia was a com
plete and an alarming surprise. After the destruction of
the Congress and the Cumberland, and the drawn action with
the Monitor, the Federals never permitted the Virginia to
approach within a mile of their vessels. The speed of their
ships was so superior to that of the Virginia, that there
was no way of bringing them to close quarters. Like burnt
children they dreaded the fire.
On the first of April the Secretary of the Navy addressed
to Commodore Tattnall a communication giving information
touching some peculiarities in the construction of the Fed
eral Monitor, — then lying in Hampton Eoads, — which sug
gested to him the idea of boarding her from the other
vessels of his squadron while engaging her with the Virginia.
That communication read as follows :
" Confederate States of America,
" Navy Department,
" Eichmond, April 1st, 1862.
"Flag-officer Josiah Tattnall, C. S. N,
" Commanding Naval Defenses James Eiver :

154 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
" Sir : The inclosed note, sent to me by a friend from
Baltimore, will inform you of some interesting points about
the Monitor. This vessel has achieved a high reputation
by her recent combat with the Virginia; and the enemy, no
less than our own people, look forward to a renewal of it
as a matter of course, and with very deep interest. I confess
to a very deep interest in your success Over her, for I am
fully convinced that the results of such a victory may save
millions of money, and perhaps thousands of lives ; and
hence I cannot avoid communicating to you matters relating
to the Monitor, which, perhaps, may have but little influence
in determining the mode of assailing her.
"The Scientific American, in a recent number, publishes
a neat wood cut of the vessel, and gives some data of her
construction. She has, I perceive, forward, two four-sided
ventilators, about three feet diameter and three feet high,
which, it is alleged, slide down even with the deck when
in action. But little preparation to resist boarders exists,
it would seem ; and a wet sail thrown over her pilot-house
would effectually close the steersman's eyes. Her grated
turret, her smoke stack, ventilators, and air holes invite
attacks with inflammables or combustibles ; and it would
seem that twenty men thus provided, once upon her deck,
as her turret is but nine feet high, might drive every man
out of her.
"We will leave with your ship and fleet to attack the
enemy when, in your judgment, it may seem best, and I
need not add that I have every confidence that you will
accomplish all that any man with such means can.
" Please telegraph me when you will probably leave ; and
to avoid the leaky telegraph, you can say 'Captain Smith
will leave here on — at — o'clock.' Good, fearless pilots are

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 155
all important, and I suggest that before you sail, you con
front them with the chart. Their refusal to place the Vir
ginia closer than one mile to the Minnesota,' notwithstanding
Buchanan's earnest appeals, induces me to say this.
" With my earnest prayers for your success and the glory
of our flag, and the safety of yourself and companions,
" I am, very respectfully,
"Your obedient servant,
"S. E. Mallory,
" Secretary of the Navy."
In his communication of the 4th instant, the Secretary
of the Navy informed Flag-officer Tattnall that the enemy
was represented as being about to move in large force, and
that many transports were congregated at Fortress Monroe.
He was requested to penetrate and defeat his designs. " Do
not hesitate," continues the dispatch, "or wait for orders,
but strike Vhen, h_ow, and where your judgment may dictate.
Take her (the Virginia) out of dock when you deem best,
and this point is left entirely to your decision."
Three days previously Major-General Magruder had com
plained to the Government that the Virginia had not pre
vented a certain movement of the enemy in the direction
of Newport News. A copy of this complaint was forwarded
to Flag-officer Tattnall. The answer was patent. At the
time indicated the Virginia was in the dry-dock, undergoing
repairs and being strengthened in obedience to express
orders received from the Navy Department. Consequently
she could not have appeared at the point specified.
While the Virginia was coming out of the dry-dock the
Commodore penned this dispatch to the Secretary of the
Navy:

156 the life and services of
"Flag-Officer's Office, Dock Yard,
"Gosport, Va., 4th April, 1862,
" One o'clock p. m.
" Sir : The Virginia is at this moment going out of dock,
and I shall drop down into the Eoads to-morrow and act
against the enemy according to circumstances. I shall take
with me all the steamers of the squadron.
"The Virginia is, as Captain Lee informed you, in better
condition than when she first left the yard, so far as that
her tUam is said to be better secured, and that another
layer of iron has been partially put on her, but I regret
that we could not fit the remainder of the iron covers for the
ports, or render, for want of time, four of the six, originally
fitted, available in action. The ability to close our ports
while loading would be (particularly in close action with the
Monitor) of great advantage ; for if it be found that both
vessels are inpenetrable to shot, the contest will be narrowed
to the dismounting of guns, and while ours will be exposed
the whole time, hers will be exposed but about one-sixth
of the time. She fires each gun once in a minute and a
half, and after it is run out it will not take longer, at close
quarters, than a quarter of a minute to sight and fire it.
"I consulted Commodore Buchanan, as you suggested,
and he advised me, in the most earnest and decided tone,
not to engage the Monitor without the port covers having
been fitted. He stated that two of the Virginia's guns had
been disabled, and that a third (the bow gun) would have
been disabled also but for its port cover, which shows in
dentations by two cannon shot. He added that, with two
exceptions, all his loss in men was by shots through the
ports. He also said that on the return of the ship to

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 15?
Norfolk he sent Lieutenant Catesby Jones to Eichmond to
call your attention to the importance of the port covers.
"The opinion of Lieutenant Jones coincides with that
of the Commodore.
"Should we have occasion to attempt the passage of
Fortress Monroe, the port covers will be absolutely neces
sary to protect the guns from being dismounted, and the
ship herself from the effect of shells passing through the
ports. 1 have, therefore, requested Captain Lee to continue
the fitting of the port covers in my absence.
"The urgent necessity for getting the Virginia in the
presence of the enemy as soon as possible, suggested in
your letters of the 3d and 4th instants, determined me yes
terday morning to request Captain Lee to take the ship
out of dock at the earliest opportunity ; and, as I said,
she is going out at this moment.
" I presume that our first antagonist will be the Monitor,
and all our endeavors will be exerted to meet her successfully.
"I have carefully considered your letter with the one
from your friend in Baltimore.
" The plan of boarding and stopping the ventilators had
already occurred to us, but the idea of blinding the helms
man had not, and shall be adopted,
" I leave Norfolk by to-morrow's tide and shall endeavor
to deserve success if we do not obtain it.
" I am, sir, with great respect,
"Your obedient servant,
"Josiah Tattnall,
"Flag-officer Commanding, Etc."
"The Honorable S. E. Mallory,
" Secretary of the Navy."

158 THE LIFE AND SERVICED 6$
The next day the Commodore received the following com
munication from the Chief -Engineer of the Virginia:
" C. S. Steamer Virginia,
" Off Norfolk, April 5, 1862.
"Sir: From my past and present experience with the
engines of this vessel, I am of the opinion that they cannot
be relied upon. During a cruise of two years, whilst I was
attached to this ship in the United States service, they
were continually breaking down, at times when least ex
pected, and the ship had to be sailed under canvas during
the greater part of the cruise. When she returned, the
Chief-Engineer reported that all experiments to improve
their working and reliability had failed, and, as the defects
were radical, embracing the entire engines, recommended
that they should be removed from the vessel ; and such was
the intention of the United States Government before she
fell into our hands.
"The engines gave out yesterday, as I had occasion to
report to you, after running only a few hours, and, as I
cannot insure their working any length of time consecutively,
I deem it my duty to make this report.
" At the time I was ordered to the vessel I was informed
that it was not the intention to take the ship where a delay
occasioned by a derangement in the machinery would en
danger her safety, and that she would always be accessible
to the Navy Yard for repairs ; this is the reason why I have
deferred making this report until this time, and I also was
under the impression that the Navy Department was aware
of the defective nature of the machinery, and her movements
would be directed with a reference to this.
" Each time that we have gone down, I have had to make

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 159
repairs which could not have been done aboard ship very
well, or if done at all would have required a great deal of
time. "I am, sir, very respectfully,
" Your obedient servant,
" H. Ashton Eamsey,
"Chief Engineer."
"Flag-officer Josiah Tattnall,
" Commanding C. S. Naval Forces,
" Waters of Virginia."
This was supplemented by a report from Engineer Eam
sey, — addressed to Lieutenant Jones, Executive Officer of
the Virginia, — which reads as follows :
" C. S. Steamer Virginia.
" Sir : The engines of this ship are not disconnected, and
one cannot be worked alone. As long as the vacuum of
the forward engine holds good, the engines might be run
by working the after engine high-pressure, but as the
vacuum of either engine is at all times precarious, and if
the vacuum of the forward engine should fall, the engines
would stop. Using one engine high-pressure would also
require a great deal of steam, which the boilers cannot
generate for any length of time.
"The air pump valves are now being overhauled, and,
unless there is something more serious than I now antici
pate, I hope to be ready by night.
" Eespectfully, " H. Ashton Eamsey."
"Lieutenant Jones, Executive Officer."
These reports confirmed the information which the Com
modore had previously acquired touching the unreliability
22

160 THE LIFE AND SERVICES 0#
of the Virginia's engines. Their peculiar construction,
taken in connection with the great draft of the vessel, —
twenty-two feet, — and her length, — -three hundred and twelve
feet, — rendered her management in narrow channels and
in the presence of the enemy a very difficult matter.
Of the defective character of the engines and his ina
bility to put them in proper condition the Department was
duly advised.
The immediate intentions of the Commodore were con
veyed in this dispatch to Mr. Mallory :
" Norfolk, Va., 10th April, 1862.
"Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your confidential letter of yesterday's date. The plan I
propose is to attack the enemy's transports lying above the
forts near Hampton creek, in doing which the pilots tell
me that I shall be three-quarters of a mile from the trans
ports and one and a half from the forts. These transports
consist of small vessels of light draft.
"The Monitor is off Hampton creek and will doubtless
engage this ship. I shall not notice her until she closes with
me, but direct my fire on the transports. There must be,
however, a combat with the Monitor.
" I presume that so long as the Monitor is efficient it will
not do to run the gauntlet of the forts, as she might, in my
absence, run up to Norfolk and destroy the yard.
" Without reference to the Monitor, however, I think it
more than doubtful whether the passage of the forts could
be effected by the Virginia at present, for the reason I have
already stated to you, the want of port covers to protect
the guns and the interior of the ship. In passing such
formidable batteries it will be wonderful if a gun be left
serviceable.

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 161
"I have been aware from the first that my command is
dangerous to my reputation, from the expectations of the
public founded on the success of Commodore Buchanan,
and I have looked to a different field from his to satisfy
them. I shall never find in Hampton Eoads the opportunity
my gallant friend found.
"I see no chance for me but to pass the forts and strike
elsewhere, and I shall be gratified by your authority to
do so as soon as the ship shall be in a suitable condition.
" If the presence of the Virginia at Yorktown be deemed
at Eichmond of such paramount importance as to call for
the passage of the forts at all hazards, I will, on hearing
from you by telegraph to that effect, at once attempt it.
" It still blows hard from the northeast, with thick weather,
which detains me at my anchors. I hope that more of the
enemy's transports have been obliged to seek shelter above
the forts. "I am, sir, with great respect,
"Your obedient servant,
"Josiah Tattnall,
"Flag-officer Commanding, Etc."
"The Honorable S. E. Mallory, Sec'y of the Navy."
Early on the morning of the 11th he went down the Eoads
in the Virginia, accompanied by several of the gun-boats,
with the design of engaging the enemy to the fullest extent.
The Federals, however, although in superior force, could
not be prevailed upon to accept the offer of battle. Com
modore Tattnall had determined to attack the Monitor with
the Virginia. While thus engaged, she was to be mobbed
by the Confederate gun-boats, the crews of which had been
told off for this purpose, and divided each into three parties.
Numbers one in each vessel were charged with covering the

162 the life and services of
ventilators, having previously ignited and thrown into them
suffocating combustible materials.' Numbers two were to
wedge the turret, while numbers three were ordered to blind
the helmsman by covering the pilot house. This plan was
based upon secret and accurate information acquired in re
gard to the peculiar construction of the Monitor. Commo
dore Tattnall expected that probably half of his gun-boats
would be sunk or crippled in the attempt, but he was quite
sanguine of throwing on the Monitor's deck a number of men
sufficient to ensure her capture. There could be neither
hesitation nor confusion in the action of the crews, as each
crew was, as we have indicated, divided into three parties,
each having its own duty to perform, and each designated
by a particular badge known to and recognized by all. This
daring resolve was fustrated by the refusal of the enemy
to close in with the offer of battle.
In order to provoke the enemy into an engagement, Com
modore Tattnall ordered two of his gun-boats to run into
the transport anchorage and cut out such of the vessels
as were lying nearest the Virginia. This was successfully
done within sight and almost within gun-shot of the Moni
tor, but she could not be drawn into an engagement.
The events of the day are narrated in the following official
communication to the Secretary of the Navy :
"Flag Ship Virginia, off Sewell's Point,
" 12th April, 1862.
" Sir : I had the honor to address you yesterday by
telegraph in regard to the movements of the Virginia on
that day.
"I have now to inform you more particularly that, the
weather having cleared up, I left the anchorage off Norfolk
at 6 A. M. and dropped down to Hampton Eoads, within long

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 163
range of the enemy's batteries, which fired several shots
at us, but without effect.'
"Their steamer Monitor was lying close under the pro
tection of the batteries. The flag-ship Minnesota, with a
large number of men-of-war and merchant vessels, was
lying below the forts. A few of the latter, lying above the
forts, on our approach retired to the squadron below. Signal
guns were, at the same time, fired by the squadron. Several
of the men-of-war, including the Monitor, got up steam, and
I thought it to be their intention to engage me, but they
suffered me to hold my position until late in the afternoon
without doing so.
"Observing three merchant vessels within the bar of
Hampton, I directed Lieutenant Commandant Barney, in
the Jamestown, to capture them if he found they could be
approached without too much risk.
"This was very promptly and creditably accomplished;
and the vessels were towed out with the assistance of the
steamer Raleigh, Lieutenant Commandant Alexander, who
followed the Jamestown in for the latter purpose.
"They proved to be the brig Marcus, of Stockton, New
Jersey ; brig Saboah, of Providence, and schooner Catherine
T. Dix, of Accomac. One of the brigs was loaded with
hay ; the two others were in ballast. A part of their crews,
to the number of thirteen, were captured.
" The capture of these vessels almost within gun shot of
the Monitor did not affect her movements.
"The prisoners were examined separately, but the only
information received, in which they all concurred, was that
the steamer Vanderbilt was with the enemy's fleet below, and
thai; she had been fitted with a ram, very low down on her
stem, for the purpose of attacking the Virginia.

164 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
" They were mistaken in her being present, for late in the
afternoon she joined the fleet from sea.
" This steamer, as powerful in her lower frame as the Vir
ginia, was known to be fitting at New York for the purpose
of aiding the Monitor, and I have reason to think that
others of the enemy's steamers, now below, are prepared
to do the same.
"The enclosed paragraph from a Northern paper, found
on board of one of the prizes, refers to this.
" I have reason to think, also, that obstructions have been
placed in the channel between Fortress Monroe and the Eip
Eaps. It is observed that the enemy's large ships pass the
posts very near to Fortress Monroe, thus avoiding the mid
channel. "This morning I left Craney Island and moored to the
buoy off Sewell's Point in sight of the enemy's ships.
"I shall act with proper prudence, for with the Virginia
at the mouth of James river the enemy's operations in that
direction may be checked, which will aid the plans of Gen
eral Magruder, as I understand them. I shall take especial
care not to be cut off from Norfolk.
"The enemy's plan, obviously, will be to get me in close
conflict with the Monitor, and as in that event I must occa
sionally lose my headway entirely, to seize the opportunity
to run into me with the Vanderbilt and other vessels, which
for that purpose will keep out of the melee.
"The alterations, it is thought, have decreased the speed
of the Virginia one mile the hour.
" I have the honor to be, with great respect,
" Your obedient servant,
" Josiah Tattnall,
"Flag-officer Commanding, Etc."
"The Honorable S. E. Mallory, Sec'y of the Navy."

commodore josiah tattnalL. 1o5
The connection of Commodore Tattnall with the Virginia
was peculiarly trying. Called to her command just after
Commodore Buchanan's splendid victory, it was confidently
expected by the public that this iron diadem of the South,
as she was called, would perform wonders. Nothing was
deemed too extraordinary for her achievement. All things
were regarded as possible. It was even supposed by the
multitude that she could at any moment pass unharmed
the powerful batteries of Fortress Monroe, annihilate op
posing fleets, bombard New York, or compass any other
exploit within the purpose of her commander. Her presence
at any point of perplexity was deemed sufficient for the
solution of every military difficulty, and the frustration of
all plans of the enemy. She was said to be worth an army
of fifty thousand men to the Confederacy, and was an object
of pride, affection, and adoration. Nor was this estimate
wholly excessive in view of what had already been done
and what was still being accomplished by her presence.
She protected Norfolk, the Navy Yard, and the James river.
From Cape Henry to the upper James, — as far as she could
ascend, — no fleet of transports could safely land troops to
assail those places. She had annihilated the land and water
blockade at Newport News, passed the control of the James
into Confederate hands, and was the protection of the right
flank of our army on the Peninsula.*
Nevertheless, the authorities and the nation clamored for
something more. Precisely what, they knew not, but some
thing grand they must have. Because they were not as
tounded by some novel and herculean achievement, people
began to murmur, and came to attribute the lack of further
brilliant adventure not to a want of capacity in the ship,
* See Pollard's Second Year of the War, p. 27. Richmond, 1863.

166 the life and services Of
not to the absence of opportunity, but to non-action on
the part of the commander. They lost sight of the true
mission of this vessel. They knew not the defects inherent
in her engines. They appreciated not the fact that the
enemy, — warned by the first deadly encounter, — avoided her
approach and declined her challenge to combat. It cannot
be denied that in his operations with this ship Commodore
Tattnall was harrassed by these public expectations which
were entirely unreasonable, and by constant nagging by
the Navy Department which seemed hardly aware of what
it expected to be done, and yet desired possibilities and
impossibilities accomplished without loss of the vessel, —
which, time and again, intimated desires, and yet would
issue no positive orders for their accomplishment. The fact
is, the Department practically avoided all responsibility, and
yet expected the Flag-officer to perform nautical prodigies.
It was no easy matter for Commodore Tattnall, under the
circumstances, to preserve an even temper, and pursue such
unruffled course as the exigencies of the service demanded.
To General Joseph E. Johnston, who had addressed him
a communication requesting him, if practicable, to pass
Fortress Monroe, avoid the Federal fleet just below, and
proceed to the York river for the purpose of destroying
the enemy's transports, Commodore Tattnall replied :
"Norfolk, Va., April 30th, 1862.
" General :
" I had the honor to receive your letter of the 28th instant
as the Virginia was on the point of dropping down to
Hampton Eoads, and deferred the movement until I could
consult competent pilots and others as to the possibility
of running the Virginia by the forts and to the position
occupied by the enemy's fleet at the mouth of the Poquosin.

COMMODORE JOStAH TATTNALL. 167
"I enclose you a copy of the opinion of the two pilots
of the ship, which, condensed, is that on a day clear enough
for the land to be seen there would be no difficulty in reach
ing York river, but that at night it could not be undertaken
with a reasonable prospect of success. This would, of
course, oblige me to pass the forts by day-light, after which
I should have to contend with the squadron of men-of-war
below the forts, which is large, and includes the Minnesota,
the iron-clad steamers Monitor, Saugatuck, and Galena, and
the powerful steamer Vanderbilt, fitted with a ram expressly
to attack the Virginia.
" Should I pass the forts and ships, the latter (their steam
is always up) would follow me, and those of lighter draft
than sixteen feet, taking a much shorter route, would reach
the Poquosin long before me, while the larger vessels taking
the same route as the Virginia (having much greater speed)
would also reach the river before her, if they declined en
gaging her on the route.
" On reaching the Poquosin, if the pilots be right, I should
find the enemy's transports out of my reach, and thus, at
a great hazard and without deriving any advantage, abandon
the defense of Norfolk and the moral effect produced by
the presence of the Virginia on the enemy's operations in
the James river. "I am, General, with great respect,
"Your obedient servant,
"Josiah Tattnall."
" General Joseph E. Johnston,
" Commanding Military Department."
It must be borne in mind that the speed of the Virginia
was only six miles an hour, while the slowest of the enemy's
23

168 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
steamers was capable of moving at the rate of nine miles.
The reasons presented in opposition to the suggestion of
General Johnston were conclusive.
About this time Commodore Tattnall received a dispatch
from Captain Tucker, — his second in command, then in
charge of the gun-boats detailed for special service in the
James river and cooperating with the land forces under
Major-General J. Bankhead Magruder, — enclosing an order
signed by the Adjutant- General of General Eobert E. Lee,
in which it was assumed that the Flag-officer was subor
dinate to General Lee and amenable to his orders. Against
this procedure Commodore Tattnall instantly entered his
protest, and called upon the Government, — in the event
that the unheard of proceeding should meet with its sanc
tion,- — to relieve him from further duty. Here is the letter,
and it is entirely characteristic of the highstrung, brave
officer who bore upon his shoulders the honors of half a
century wrested from the four-quarters of the seas :
" Gosport Navy Yard,
"April 29th, 1862.
"Honorable S. E. Mallory,
" Secretary of the Navy, Eichmond, Va. :
" Sir : I have the honor herewith to forward you the
copy of a letter from the Adjutant of General Lee to Com
mander Tucker, of the Patrick Henry, now acting under
my orders in the James river.
" This order, if sustained by the Department, assumes the
control of a portion of my command, and seems to confirm
a report prevalent fiere that myself and command are con
sidered subject to the orders of General Johnston.
" This would place me, with reference to the army, in a

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 169
position never held hitherto by an officer of my rank in any
naval service, and which all their reports show is not the
position of the naval commanders, my opponents, in the
service of the United States.
"These are times, Mr. Mallory, for frankness, and without
it discord between the two arms, produced by misconception,
may be fatal.
"If, therefore, I am to be placed under the command of
an army officer, and, being a seaman, am to hold my action
and reputation subject to the judgment of a landsman, who
can know nothing of the complicated nature of naval ser
vice, I earnestly solicit to be promptly relieved from my
command. Some younger man, whose back-bone is more
supple than fifty years of naval pride have made mine, can,
be found, I hope (for the sake of harmony), to take my
place and carry out the views of the Government.
" I am, sir, with great respect,
"Your obedient, servant,
"Josiah Tattnall,
" Flag-officer Commanding.
Previous to this, Commodore Tattnall had, in a lengthy
communication, which we now introduce, fully answered the
suggestions of the War Department in respect to the move
ments of the Virginia: "Flag Ship Virginia, 21st April, 1862.
"Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of the 18th instant.
"I informed you, under date of the 19th instant, that
anticipating the wishes of General Magruder, I had dis
patched to the James river the steamers Jamestown and
Raleigh.

170 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
"I presume that they passed Newport News in safety,
as no firing was heard at that point, and I have heard noth
ing of them since. They were followed yesterday by the
Patrick Henry, Commander Tucker, who, I think, must have
passed the forts last night, as the weather was favorable.
The Beaufort will leave to-night for the same destination,
unless her services should be required on the canal, — the
enemy having made a demonstration in that direction. I
have tendered her to General Huger, but he thinks that he
will not need her.
" The squadron in the river will then consist of the Patrick
Henry, Jamestown, Raleigh, Beaufort, and Teazer; that is, of
all the vessels of my command, excepting the Virginia
which, owing to her draft of water, cannot ascend the river
further than four miles above Newport News, and therefore
can be of no direct aid to General Magruder in the neigh
borhood of Warwick river.
"You express surprise that the enemy's vessels should
have attempted to ascend the James river as far as the
Warwick. " The enemy's vessels of light draft can go from Fortress
Monroe to Newport News, a distance of but six miles,
with perfect impunity.
" On examining the chart of Hampton Eoads you will
find that from nine to ten feet of water can be carried near
the land, and inside of Hampton bar, from Fortress Monroe
to Newport News (the mouth of James river). By this
route the enemy's gun-boats and vessels of light draft can
pass into the James river without hindrance from the Vir
ginia, unless the latter be placed permanently at Newport
News. This would close the navigation entirely, but would
enable the enemy's fleet, by a sudden movement in Hampton

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 171
Eoads, to cut her off from Norfolk and force her into a
decisive contest with an overwhelming force. I am satisfied
that their object in not accepting the challenge of the Vir
ginia on her late trip to the Eoads was to draw the latter
to Newport News either with this view, or to entangle her
in obstructions, which I have reason to believe they have
placed there.
" I beg, therefore, to prevent misconceptions, that it may
be distinctly understood by the War Department, that I can
not prevent the enemy's gun-boats or light draft transports
from entering and ascending the James river, or their army
crossing it, excepting so far as the force of steamers I have
placed in the river may prevent it. On this, however, I
have but little reliance, as the enemy can at any time send
a force so superior as to compel them to retire up the river
behind our forts. I am of the opinion, therefore, that these
steamers would have been of more service here in occa
sionally making a dash at night across the Eoads into the
channel I have referred to between Fortress Monroe and
Newport News for the purpose of intercepting vessels, but
in view of the consequences which must follow the crossing
of Warwick river, as suggested by General Magruder and
quoted in your letter to me of the 18th instant, I felt called
upon to furnish the General all the aid in my power.
"I think from General Lee's endorsement of your letter
to the Secretary of War of the 16th instant, and from the
enemy's fleet having been generally reported to be in Hamp
ton Roads, that there is a great and widely prevailing error
on this point. The enemy's great fleet of war vessels and
transports, with a few exceptions, is not in Hampton
Eoads, but in Chesapeake Bay, below the forts, so that to
reach them I must pass the forts.

172 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
"The exceptions consist of some small transports, (steam
and sail), the Monitor, and one or two gun-boats, which are
under the guns of the forts and not assailable by the Meri-
mac without engaging the forts. In case of such an attempt,
the transports would retire below the forts as they did when
the Virginia approached them on the 11th instant.
"I suggest, therefore, that the War Department be given
to understand that they must make no calculations on my
' damaging the enemy's transports' or ' distroying his means
of communication' in Hampton Eoads, although I shall not
fail to do so should the opportunity offer.
" The suggestion of General Lee to turn my attention to
York Town, after the performance of certain services in
Hampton Eoads, involves, of course, the abandonment of
Norfolk and the risk of losing the ship by attempting the
passage of the fort in her present unprepared condition.
The enemy having had time, is undoubtedly fully prepared
for the latter attempt, and I have from the best authority (a
French officer of rank) that obstructions of some kind have
been placed in the channel, probably in the centre, and from
thence to the Eip Eaps, so as to compel me, if made aware
of them, to pass close to the guns of Fortress Monroe.
"When the ship is fully prepared with the covers for her
ports, I shall have great hopes of passing the forts success
fully, but the attempt should not be made but for a sufficient
object. " I am, sir, with great respect,
"Your obedient servant,
"Josiah Tattnall,
"Flag-officer Commanding, Etc."
"The Honorable S. E. Mallory,
"Secretary of the Navy."

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 173
It will be remembered that the Virginia drew between
twenty-two and twenty-three feet of water, and could be
successfully navigated and maneuvred only in wide, deep
channels. Ten feet would express the average draft of the
enemy's gun-boats and monitors. Possessing approved
charts of Hampton Eoads and its adjacent waters, the Navy
and War Departments ought to have known that the ex
pectations formed and expressed of what the Virginia should
accomplish, were simply idle. It is perhaps not surprising
that Generals in the field should have lacked knowledge on
the subject ; and it was entirely proper in them, through the
Department, . to invoke the aid of the navy to the fullest
extent. The hour having arrived, in the judgment of General
Johnston, for a retrogade movement which would transfer
the army from its present position to the line of the Chicka-
hominy, the withdrawal was successfully accomplished by
the admirable strategy of that able commander. Thus was
the Peninsula abandoned to the enemy. The surrender of
Norfolk, with its Navy Yard and dock, followed as a matter
of consequence. There being no other alternative, under
the order of Commodore Tattnall, the Virginia was totally
destroyed on the morning of the 11th of May, 1862, in the
vicinity of Craney Island.
The circumstances under which this important act was
committed, are fully detailed in the accompanying letter
addressed to the Secretary of the Navy :
"Eichmond, Va., May 14th, 1862.
"Sir : In detailing to you the circumstances which caused
the destruction of the Confederate States steamer Virginia,
and her movements a few days previous to that event, I
begin with your telegraphic dispatches to me of the 4th

174 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
and 5th instants, directing me to take such a position in
the James river as would entirely prevent the enemy's as
cending it.
"General Huger, commanding at Norfolk, on learning
that I had received this order, called on me and declared
that its execution would oblige him to abandon immediately
his forts on Craney Island and Sewell's Point and their guns
to the enemy. I informed him that as the order was im
perative, I must execute it, but suggested that he should
telegraph you and state the consequences. He did so ; and,
on the 6th instant, you telegraphed me to endeavor to afford
protection to Norfolk as well as the James river, which
replaced me in my original position. I then arranged with
the General that he should notify me when his preparations
for the evacuation of Norfolk were sufficiently advanced
to enable me to act independently. On the 7th instant
Commodore Hollins reached Norfolk with orders from you
to consult with me and such officers as I might select in
regard to the best disposition to be made of the Virginia
under the present aspect of things.
" We had arranged the conference for the next day, the
8th, but on that day, before the hour appointed, the enemy
attacked the Sewell's Point battery, and I left immediately
with the Virginia to defend it.
"We found six of the enemy's vessels, including the iron
clad steamers Monitor and Nangatuck, shelling the battery.
We passed the battery and stood directly for the enemy
for the purpose of engaging him, and I thought an action
certain, particularly as the Minnesota and Vanderbilt, which
were anchored below Fortress Monroe, got underway and
stood up to that point, apparently with the intention of
joining their squadron in the roads. Before, however, we

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL.' 175
got within gun shot, the enemy ceased firing and retired
with all speed under the protection of the guns of the
Fortress, followed by the Virginia, until the shells from
the Eip Eaps passed over her.
"The Virginia was then placed at her moorings near
Sewell's Point, and I returned to Norfolk to hold the con
ference referred to.
"It was held on the 9th, and the officers present were
Colonel Anderson and Captain  , of the army, selected
by General Huger, who was too unwell to attend himself,
and, of the navy, myself, Commodore Hollins, Captains
Sterrett and Lee, Commander Eichard L. Page, and Lieute
nants Ap Catesby Jones and J. Pembroke Jones.
"The opinion was unanimous that the Virginia was then
employed to the best advantage, and that she should con
tinue, for the present, to protect Norfolk, and thus afford
time to remove the public property.
"On the next day, at 10 o'clock A. M., we observed from
the Virginia that the flag was not flying on the Sewell's
Point battery, and that it appeared to have been abandoned.
I dispatched Lieutenant J. P. Jones, the Flag-Lieutenant,
to Craney Island, and he there learned that a large force
of the enemy had landed on the bay shore, and was march
ing rapidly on Norfolk ; that the Sewell's Point battery
was abandoned, and oar troops were retreating. I then
dispatched the same officer to Norfolk to confer with Gen
eral Huger and Captain Lee. He found the Navy Yard
in flames, and that all its officers had left by railroad. On
reaching Norfolk, he found that General Huger and all
the other officers of the army had also left, that the enemy
was within half a mile of the city, and that the Mayor
was treating for its surrender.
24

176 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
"On returning to the ship he found that Craney Island
and all the other batteries on the river had been abandoned.
"It was now seven o'clock in the evening, and this un
expected information rendered prompt measures necessary
for the safety of the Virginia.
" The pilots had assured me that they could take the ship,
with a draft of eighteen feet, to within forty miles of
Eichmond. " This, the chief pilot, — Mr. Parrish, — and his chief assis
tant, — Mr. Wright, — had asserted, again and again ; and on
the afternoon of the 7th, in my cabin, in the presence of
Commodore Hollins and Captain Sterrett, in reply to a
question of mine, they both emphatically declared their
ability to do so.
" Confiding in tfiese assurances, and after consulting with
the First and Flag-lieutenants, and learning tfiat the officers
generally thought it the most judicious course, I determined
to lighten the ship at once and run up the river for the
protection of Eichmond.
" All hands having been called on deck, I stated to them
the condition of things, and my hope that by getting up the
river before the enemy could be made aware of our design
we might capture his vessels which had ascended it, and
render efficient aid in the defense of Eichmond, but that,
to effect this, would require all their energy in lightening
the ship. They replied with three cheers, and went to
work at once.
" The pilots were on deck and heard this address to the
crew. "Being quite unwell, I had retired to bed. Between one
and two o'clock in the morning the First Lieutenant re
ported to me that after the crew had worked for five or

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 177
six hours and lifted the ship so as to render her unfit for
action, the pilots had declared their inability to carry
eighteen feet above the Jamestown flats, up to which point
the shore, on each side, was occupied by the enemy.
" On demanding from the chief pilot, — Mr. Parrish, — an
explanation of this palpable deception, he replied that
eighteen feet could be carried after the prevalence of east
erly winds, but that the wind for the last two days had
been westerly. I had no time to lose. The ship was not
in a condition for battle, even with an enemy of equal force,
and their force was overwhelming. I therefore determined,
with the concurrence of the First and Flag-lieutenants, to
save the crew for future service by landing them at Craney
Island, the only road for retreat open to us, and to destroy
the ship to prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy.
I may add that, although not formally consulted, the course
was approved by every commissioned officer in the ship.
"There is no dissenting opinion. The ship was accord
ingly put on shore as near the main land in the vicinity
of Craney Island as possible, and the crew landed. She
was then fired, and after burning fiercely fore and aft for
upwards of an hour, blew up a little before five on the
morning of the 11th.
"We marched for Suffolk, twenty -two miles, and reached
it in the evening, and from thence came by railroad to
this city.
"It will be asked what motives the pilots could have
had to deceive me. The only imaginable one is, that they
wished to avoid going into battle.
" Had the ship not been lifted, so as to render her unfit
for action, a desperate contest must have ensued with a
force against us too great to justify much hope of success ;

178 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
and, as battle is not their occupation, they adopted this
deceitful course to avoid it. I cannot imagine another
motive, for I had seen no reason to distrust their good
faith to the Confederacy.
" My acknowledgments are due to the First Lieutenant,
Ap Catesby Jones, for his untiring exertions and for the
aid he rendered me in all things. The details for firing
the ship and landing the crew were left to him, and every
thing was conducted with the most perfect order.
"To the other officers of the ship, generally, I am also
thankful for the great zeal they displayed throughout.
" The Virginia no longer exists, but three hundred brave
and skillful officers and seamen are saved to the Confederacy.
"I presume that a Court of Inquiry will be ordered to
examine into all the circumstances I have mentioned, and
I earnestly solicit it. Public opinion will never be put right
without it. "I am, sir, with great respect,
"Your obedient servant,
"Josiah Tattnall,
"Flag-officer Commanding."
" Honorable S. E. Mallory,
"Secretary of the Navy."

CHAPTEE FIFTEENTH.

The destruction of the Virginia necessary and proper. Admiral Bu
chanan's view of the act. Flag-officer Tattnall ordered to return to
Savannah and take command of the naval defenses of Georgia. He
demands a Court of Inquiry, which convenes and finds adversely to
Captain Tattnall. Protest entered, by some of the officers of the
Virginia, against the official approval of the finding. Published
strictures upon the conduct and finding of the court. Flag-officer
Tattnall demands a Court Martial. It is ordered. Its composition.
Charges, and Specifications of Charges preferred. Tattnall's defense.
Finding of the court. General satisfaction at the triumphant vindica
tion of Flag-officer Tattnall. Letter of the Honorable J. L. Petigru. i
There can be no question of the fact that upon the evacu
ation of Norfolk the usefulness of the Virginia terminated.
The enemy would not meet her in the waters of Hampton
Eoads. All avenues for supplies, — such as coal, provisions,
and water, — and all opportunities for repairs, were cut off.
Her draft of water, (twenty-two feet six inches), was too
great to allow her to steam up the James river. To have
lightened her sufficiently to have permitted her, even under
the most favorable circumstances, to have done so, would
have destroyed her formidable character as an iron-clad ;
for her wooden sides would then have been exposed. Com
modore Tattnail fully appreciated the situation and promptly
assumed the responsibility of destroying her to prevent
her falling into the hands of the Federals. His professional
talent and good judgment sanctioned the act, and his nerve
sustained him in its execution. Although a great hue and
cry resounded from many quarters, and much discontent
obtained upon the happening of this unexpected and calam-

180 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
itous event, the conduct of the Commodore was, by the best
informed, entirely justified. Subsequent reflection, and a
more intimate acquaintance with the facts of the case have
fully confirmed this verdict and the propriety of his course.
So soon as the Virginia was blown up, her crew and officers
were ordered to Drewry's Bluff, and materially contributed
to the salvation of Eichmond.
Writing in 1871, and alluding to Commodore Tattnall's
conduct on this occasion, Admiral Buchanan says : " This
bold, fearless act of responsibility is one of the strongest
proofs of his unselfishness, and devotion to the cause, he
could have given. He might have remained in command
of the Virginia until ordered by the Secretary of the Navy
to destroy her. Fight he could not, for the enemy would
not give him the opportunity. He would then have avoided
the responsibility which caused such illiberal, unjust com
ments on his act by the Court of Inquiry which was ordered
to inquire into the cause of the destruction of the Virginia.
Had Commodore Tattnall not possessed the boldness and
forethought he did, and had he delayed the destruction of
that steamer, Eichmond would have been shelled by the
iron-clads of the enemy, which soon made their appearance
at Drewry's Bluff, where the officers and men of the Vir
ginia had arrived in time to mount a few guns in addition
to those already in position, and man and fight them. The
enemy was driven off after sustaining much injury. The
officers and men behaved very gallantly, and for a few days
the navy was highly complimented for saving Eichmond.
But its services there were soon forgotten."
The vessels composing the Confederate naval force in the
waters of Virginia having been either destroyed, or sunk
as obstructions in James river, Flag-officer Tattnall was,

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. l8l
i the 19th of May, 1862, ordered to proceed to Savannah
id resume the command of the naval defenses at that
Dint. The following is a copy of the order referred to :
" Confederate States of America,
"Navy Department,
"Eichmond, May 19th 1862.
Flag-officer Josiah Tattnall,
"Commanding Naval Defenses of Virginia, Etc.,
" Eichmond, Va. :
" Sir : You are hereby detached from the command of
le naval defenses of the waters of Virginia, and will pro
sed to Savannah, Ga., and resume command of the naval
sfenses of the State of Georgia.
" Your former command has been divided, Captain Ingra-
a,m having been assigned to the command of the waters
E South Carolina. "I am, respectfully,
"Your obedient servant,
"S. E. Mallory,
" Secretary of the Navy."
The wild clamor raised over the destruction of the Vir-
inia, and manifestations of public dissatisfaction with the
ct, caused Commodore Tattnall to insist upon a Court of
nquiry to investigate the facts connected with the loss
f that vessel. The court was detailed; and, strange to
ry, the three officers constituting it were disappointed ap-
licants for the command of the Virginia. Before them
'attnall had, without solicitation, been preferred by the
•epartment. The members of this court were Flag-officer
'orrest, Flag-officer Ingraham, and Captain Lynch. All of

182 THE LIFE AND ¦SERVICES OF
them were aspirants for promotion under the bill creating
Admirals. To Forrest, Tattnall was junior in rank, but
senior to the other two. This Court of Inquiry, convoked
by order of the Navy Department on the 20th of May, 1862,
assembled two days afterwards in the city of Eichmond.
The special business before it was "to investigate and in
quire into the destruction of the steamer Virginia, express
an opinion as to the necessity of destroying her, and state
particularly whether any and what disposition could have
been made of that vessel."
Having taken testimony, and heard the statement sub
mitted by Flag-officer Tattnall, the court was cleared for
deliberation. After consideration, the following report was
adopted :
"The court, after a full and careful examination and in
vestigation of the evidence connected with the destruction
by fire of the Confederate States steamer Virginia, on the
morning of May 11th, 1862, near Craney Island, respectfully
report that it was effected by the order and under the super
vision of Flag-officer Tattnall after her draft had been re
duced to twenty feet six inches, and on the representations
of the pilots that in consequence of recent prevalent west
erly winds she could not be taken with a draft of eighteen
feet as high as Westover, near Harrison's bar in James
river (whither he designed to take her) which they previously
stated they could do.
"I. The destruction of the Virginia was, in the opinion
of the court, unnecessary at the time and place it was
effected. "II. It being clearly in evidence that Norfolk being eva
cuated and Flag-officer Tattnall having been instructed to
prevent the enemy from ascending James river, the Virginia,

6oMmoDore josiah tattnaLL. 183
with very little more, if any lessening of draft, after light
ening her to twenty feet six inches aft, with her iron sheath
ing still extending three feet under water, could have been
taken up to Hog Island in James river (where the channel
is narrow) and could then have prevented the larger vessels
and transports of the enemy from ascending; the court
is of opinion that such disposition ought to have been made
of her, and if it should be ascertained that her provisions
could have been replenished, when those on board were
exhausted, then the proper time would have arrived to
take into consideration the expediency or practicabifity of
striking a last blow at the enemy or destroying her.
" In conclusion, the court is of opinion that the evacuation
of Norfolk, the destruction of the Navy Yard and other
public property, added to the hasty retreat of the military
under General Huger, leaving the batteries unmanned and
unprotected, no doubt conspired to produce in the minds
of the officers of the Virginia the necessity of her destruc
tion at the time, as, in their opinion, the only means left
of preventing her from falling into tfie hands of the enemy ;
and seems to have precluded the consideration of the possi
bility of getting her up James river to the point or points
indicated." The finding of the Court of Inquiry, — so condemnatory
of Flag-officer Tattnall and his officers, — appeared so utterly
uncalled for, and at variance with the legitimate effect of
the evidence submitted, that it excited marked astonishment
in the minds of right thinking men all over the land, —
whether in the naval and military service, or civilians. So
unjust did they regard it, that some of the officers of the
Virginia entered in the Navy Department a protest against
its approval. After alluding to the helpless condition in
25

184 The life and services of
which the Virginia would have been placed had she been
lightened sufficiently to have enabled her to ascend James
river, the protestants say : " Thus situated, the Virginia
was comparatively helpless against iron-clad vessels, and
would have fallen an easy prey to the enemy. But it may
be unnecessary that we should discuss this question, for
we are not responsible for the destruction of the vessel.
That responsibility devolves upon one under whom we were
proud to serve. The life of Flag-officer Tattnall, now ivell-nigh
spent in the service of his country, more than contradicts any
imputation upon his name for chivalrous bravery. The country
knows that he is not the man to become panic-stricken''
The following strictures upon the finding of the court,
penned by an officer of the Virginia who testified frankly
and boldly for the public benefit, will be reread witfi interest :
"June 23, 1862.
" To the Editors of the Enquirer :
"Gentlemen: Much has been said and written about
the destruction of the Virginia, and the late Court of In
quiry has expressed the opinion 'that it was unnecessary
at the time and place it occurred,' that the vessel might have
been 'taken to Hog Island in James river, and there pre
vented the passage of the enemy's gun-boats and transports
up the river.' In all that I have seen, and heard against
the matter, there has not occurred one idea worthy the con
sideration of an intelligent naval officer ; and although the
times are troubled with weighty matters, requiring the pub
lic to look to the future and not to the past, I propose to
investigate the subject before us now, that it may not fester
in the minds of those ignorant of naval matters, and become
an incurable national sore. There are but three conceiva-

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 185
ble things that could apparently have been done with the
Virginia, viz : to take her a certain distance up James river,
to remain in Hampton Eoads, or to pass Old Point. Before
discussing them, let me say that the Virginia drew twenty-
two feet six inches water, was three hundred and twelve
feet long, her sides, inclined at a horizontal angle of about
thirty-five degrees, extended below the surface of the ivater,
and her gun-deck ports only five feet above it. First, in
order to fiave taken the vessel to Hog Island, she had to
be lightened to twenty feet. This draft would have brought
her inclined armor above the water, and left about two-fifths
of her perpendicular sides aft covered only by one inch
of iron for two feet in depth, exposing her magazine to
every well depressed shot at close quarters, and her after
' stern post,' which if broken would have destroyed her pro
peller and rudder.
"The best position of Hog Island, which the Virginia
could have taken, is thirty-five miles above Newport News,
and the shoalest water occurs about four miles above New
port News> where the river is nearly six miles wide. Had
the vessel got aground here, which is highly probable, as
her helm had no command of her when her keel was near
the bottom, she would, at low tide, have been an easy prey
to any of the enemy's vessels. Being very sharp under
water, with a deep keel, she would have keeled over, ex
posing her naked sides, and rendering her battery useless.
But suppose she got to Hog Island safely, where the nar
rowest part of the river is about two miles wide. The
Galena, (iron-clad), the Aroostook, and Port Royal, all armed
with heavy eleven-inch guns, had gone up the river two
days before the evacuation of Norfolk. The Monitor and
Nangatuck (iron clad) could have passed a half mile from

186 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
the Virginia in perfect safety ; and these vessels are exactly
those, and no others, that made the attack at Drewry's Bluff.
They could have remained in the river, received their am
munition and provisions from General McClellan, and their
water anywhere. What 'gun-boats,' then, would the Vir
ginia have 'prevented from going up James river?'
"General McClellan has been supplied by way of the
York river. There was no reason why any transports should
go up James river, and to this day, six weeks having elapsed,
we have no reliable information that one of the enemy's
transports has come up the river ! Then what ' transports'
would the Virginia have 'prevented from going up James
river?' If she could not have done either of these things,
as, in the opinion of the Court of Inquiry she should have
done, what use was she at Hog Island? It must be seen
that a vessel of the importance of the Virginia would have
been surrounded by the enemy's pickets, night and day ;
therefore she could never have obtained water or supplies
of any kind. To fiave attempted her destruction at Hog
Island would have been, as at any other place but the one
where she was destroyed, to give her to the enemy, because
she had about three hundred and forty souls on board, and
but two small boats, each capable of holding about twenty
people ; and is it to be supposed that the enemy were so
foolish as to permit more than one landing to be made with
out exacting a pledge that the vessel should not be de
stroyed? Oh, no! The Virginia had no means of mak
ing rafts while she could fight her guns. Hence the
Court of Inquiry expected three hundred men to stand on
her decks, see the match touched to the magazine, and be
blown into eternity, or jump overboard and be washed into
it, as only one out of about forty could swim, the crew

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 187
having been transferred from the army with very few seamen
among them.
"Secondly. To remain in Hampton Eoads would have
been to do nothing, but finally surrender the vessel to the
enemy. She could have inconvenienced them by stopping
their water communication with Norfolk, but Suffolk and
'Ocean view' beach would have been sufficient landings for
them. There was nothing in the Eoads to fight, unless they
played Don Quixote and charged Old Point with about as
much effect as he did the wind mills, occasionally feel
ing a slight reaction from the Lincoln gun 480-lb. shot.
Now, if she could not blockade James river at Hog Island,
she could not do it at the mouth, where it is five miles wide.
But we have seen that the Virginia had inclined sides, with
her gun deck ports only five feet above the water, hence,
whenever the wind blew fresh it raised a sea that washed
into the ship and would soon have sunk her ; for a vessel of
that build, with her greatest bearings below the surface of
the water, will go down very rapidly. Now this might have
occurred any night when too dark to see where to go. On
one occasion the ship had to return to Norfolk when off
Craney Island because there was too much sea in the Eoads.
"Thirdly. The Virginia could only have passed Old
Point and gone to York river, or any of the Chesapeake's
tributaries, in the smoothest weather. If she got to York
river she could have done nothing still; for many hours
before her arrival there, the enemy's vessels would have
known it from Old Point, and gone into the numerous bends
and creeks where the Virginia could never have reached
them. She could not have laid in the narrow channel be
tween Gloucester Point and Yorktown and blockaded the
river, for if not sunk by the sea in a few days, she would

188 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
have been by the enemy's heavy, long, big rifle bolts from
the heights above, without being able to elevate her guns
and return the fire. As to going up Chesapeake Bay, or
following the enemy's vessels, that would have been mad
ness. The ship was not sea worthy. What vessel would
have stopped and fought her under favorable circumstances ?
Will the Court of Inquiry tell us where that 'final blow'
could have been 'struck at the enemy?'
"Now, Messrs. Editors, the Examiner of this morning,
speaking of the opinion of the Court of Inquiry, gives vent
to some very unkind remarks regarding the officers of the
Virginia. It should have recollected that the opinion of
a Court of Inquiry is not a final decision ; but that when
the exigencies of the service will permit it, a Court Martial
has to take up the case.
"The latter court may be composed of thirteen members,
the former of three, and until the 'finding' of tfie Court
Martial is promulgated, would it not be proper for those
interested to take an intelligent view of the facts in the
matter, and not be blindly pricked into a position from
which they will be ashamed, perhaps, to recede?
" There was no panic, precipitation, or even haste in the
destruction of the Virginia; no step was ever taken with
more deliberation and coolness. How nonsensical to sup
pose that the officers, who had served their country a life
time, and the brave crew who had stood by the old ship
from her first conception through all the fatiguing delays
to her completion when many doubted her success, and
who fought the battle of Newport News, and thrice since
had seen the enemy's vessels fly before them, should have
been panic-stricken by hearing that the enemy had sur
rounded them on shore ? What harm could have been done

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 189*
the ship from the shore? None, except to prevent landing.
No, it is hardly sensible to suppose that the officers were
afraid of the enemy, but they were afraid of his getting the
ship, or the certainty of having to destroy their own lives
to prevent it, which the country hardly expected of them
under the circumstances.
"I think it is clearly shown by the foregoing facts, that
had any other disposal been made of the ship, she would
finally have fallen into the enemy's hands without having
done our cause any service beforehand. Her great draught
of water, extreme length, unwieldiness, and unseaworthi
ness, rendered her the most difficult of vessels to manage.
She was of no service but in deep smooth water. Deep water
is constantly rough ; if not, it must be too narrow for the Vir
ginia to have worked in. She was intended only for the
defense of Norfolk harbor ; but, after fighting the battle of
Newport News, the public mind magnified her to a power
which it was supposed could lay the Northern ports under
contribution. The officers were not called upon to disabuse
them of this highly flattering idea, until now, in their own
defense. But because they have to do it as a defense, an
intelligent reader will not believe that they were fairly ar
raigned for trial. I have been writing this article under
the supposition that the officers were responsible for the
destruction of the vessel, because the Court of Inquiry has
committed an act of supererogation in thus charging them.
But the Virginia had a Flag-officer in command, and a
braver, truer man never trod under his country's flag. His
feeble health has not in the slightest degree impaired his
judgment, and every step he took in command of that ship
proved the fact. He it was whom the Court of Inquiry had
to deal with. They had only to state whether the act was

190 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
necessary or not, and the facts leading to it, and the com
mander was responsible. Who ever thinks of investigating a
defeat or a retreat, and charging the officers with their
opinions or advice asked by the General commanding ? A
man in any responsible position is expected to inform him
self before taking any step, but no one asks or cares where
he got his information. He is put there to judge. You
might as well hold the lawyers responsible for the ' decision
of a jury,' a court, or judges. They deliver the verdict, and
it is executed. The Captain gives the order, and the ship is
destroyed. "Now, I deny that there is one single word in all the
evidence before the Court of Inquiry to show that the offi
cers were panic-stricken, or that they were actuated by any
other sense than a clear, deliberate understanding of the
awful necessity of the occasion. They were perfectly aware
how high the ship was held in the public estimation, and
of the outburst of indignation that would meet her unex
pected destruction, because the public may be very good
judges of military matters, but it requires a lifetime to
become a seaman and a judge of nautical affairs. Never
was a commander forced by his own country into a more
painful position ; but, with a high moral courage worthy of
the man, he coolly and calmly gave the order to destroy his
ship. It took nearly four hours to accomplish it, proving
there was no panic or precipitancy. The small arms and
sufficient ammunition were all saved ; the men were formed
in military order and marcfied to Suffolk, twenty-two miles,
after ten hours of the most arduous labor, and made a
narrow escape from capture by the enemy, who, it was ex
pected, would cut them off as they passed near Portsmouth.
" For myself, I am not only satisfied that the destruction

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 19l
of the Virginia was necessary, 'at the time and place it
occurred,' but I assert that her destruction at the time saved
the city of Eichmond. Moral effect is a much more active
agent in our affairs than the people are yet accustomed to
recognize, and it is now generally conceded that the victory
of Manassas has done us more harm than good. The
Southern people are high spirited and determined, when
aroused, but they are fond of ease and pleasure, and will
seek them whenever to be found. Hence, after victory
come demoralization and a 'laying back' upon our laurels,
whilst the wary foe, nerved to madness, prepares for re
venge. The people had trusted that the existence of the
Virginia insured our blockade of James river ; and although
the gallant and energetic officers of the Patrick Henry and
Jamestown were working hard at Drewry's Bluff, yet the
means at their command were insufficient to render the
position impassable by the time the enemy's gun-boats
could have come up. Suddenly it bursts upon the public
ear, the Virginia is destroyed! Then came 'hot haste,'
and munitions of war and things that could assist the bar
ricade were hurried night and day to the Bluff. The offi
cers and crew of the Virginia having pushed through to
Eichmond, traveling unceasingly, worn out, and broken
down, were sent immediately down ; and ankle deep in mud,
exposed to unceasing rain for three days, without provisions
or a Change of clothing, they assisted, day and night, in
mounting heavy guns and placing obstructions to the
enemy's passage of the river. The last gun was not quite
ready for action when the burst of the enemy's shell over
their heads told that the strife was at hand. It did come,
and how gallantly the little navy maintained its reputation
on that day, the good citizens of Eichmond may be willing
26

192 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
to acknowledge ; and perhaps they may sometimes think
that some of these men were not ' panic-stricken' when they
destroyed the Virginia.
" In conclusion, Messrs. Editors, I say that the destruc
tion of the Virginia required the exercise of a moral courage
which will outlive the late Court of Inquiry and the incon
siderate editorials of the press. I am proud to have been
one of her crew from beginning to end, but the proudest
moments, in connection with her, were those in which I saw
the flames burst from her hatches, and felt that the enemy's
tread would never pollute her decks. "Eay."
Indignant at the injustice done to himself and officers
of the Virginia by the finding of the Court of Inquiry,
Commodore Tattnall insisted upon a Court Martial.
Accordingly, a General Court Martial was ordered to
convene at the city of Eichmond, Virginia, on the fifth
day of July, 1862, or as soon thereafter as practicable, for
the trial of Flag-officer Josiah Tattnall.
The following officers were detailed as members of the
court :
Captains Lawrence Eousseau, Franklin Buchanan, and
Sidney S. Lee.
Commanders Eobert J. Eobb, Murray Mason, Eben Far-
rand, A. B. Fairfax, M. F. Maury, and George Minor.
Lieutenants W. L. Maury and Eobt. B. Pegram.
To this detail Captain George N. Hollins was subse
quently added.
Eobert Ould was appointed Judge Advocate. The court
convened on the 5th of July, 1862, and, having been fully
organized on the 7th, proceeded to business.

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 193
The following charges, and specifications of charges, were
read by the Judge Advocate :
"charge first.
"Culpable destruction of an armed steamer of the Confed
erate States Navy.
" Specification 1st. — In this, that the said Captain Josiah
Tattnail, on the eleventh day of May, eighteen hundred
and sixty-two, culpably and without sufficient reason for
so doing, did destroy by fire the Confederate steamer Vir
ginia, in Hampton Eoads, near Norfolk, Virginia.
"Specification 2d. — In this, that the said Captain Josiah
Tattnail, on the 11th day of May, 1862, at Hampton Eoads,
near Norfolk, Virginia, did culpably destroy the said steamer
Virginia, when, with the draft to which she had been then
and there, or might have been reduced, she could have been
carried up James river to a place of usefulness, free from
immediate danger. " CHARGE SECOND — NEGLIGENCE.
"Specification 1st. — In this, that the said Captain Josiah
Tattnall, on the said 11th day of May, 1862, at said Hamp
ton Eoads, did proceed to lighten the said steamer Virginia
for the purpose of taking her up James river, retaining,
however, her armament, ordnance stores, necessary coal,
water, and provisions, without first having ascertained from
sources of information within his reach, to what extent
the draft of the said steamer would be reduced by such
lightening. " Specification 2d. — In this, that the said Captain Josiah
Tattnall, after having lightened the said steamer Virginia
to a certain draft, on the said 11th day of May, 1862, at
said Hampton Eoads, then and there, and before said time,

194 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
neglected and failed to ascertain from sources of informa
tion within his reach the fact that the said steamer, at said
draft, could have been carried about forty miles above the
mouth of James river to Hog Island.
"CHARGE THIRD — IMPROVIDENT CONDUCT.
" Specification.— In this, that the said Captain Josiah
Tattnall, on or about the 11th day of May, 1862, when off
Sewell's Point, in Hampton Eoads, intending to take said
steamer Virginia up James river, did then and there pro
ceed to lighten said steamer, instead of taking her up James
river and there lightening her, when the necessity for so
doing arose, and to the extent of that necessity.
"S. E. Mallory,
" Secretary of the Navy."
To the above the accused, Captain Josiah Tattnall,
pleaded "Not Guilty."
Until the 17th of July the Court was continuously en
gaged in hearing testimony.
On the 19th the accused read and submitted the following
defense :
" Mr. President and Gentlemen :
"After serving fifty years with unblemished reputation,
you may well imagine the concern I feel at being arraigned
before you on charges affecting my judgment and conduct
in the face of the enemy.
" It is known to the court that this trial grew out of the
finding of a Court of Inquiry convened to inquire into
the facts attending the destruction of the steamer Virginia
whilst under my command in Hampton Eoads ' on the 11th
of May last,' with instructions to report their opinion as
to the necessity of destroying her, and particularly ' whether

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 195
any and what other disposition could have been made of
the vessel ;' and that the Court of Inquiry, upon the evi
dence of much the same witnesses that you have heard,
reported that she ought not to have been destroyed at
the time and place she was. That I, having been instructed
(Norfolk being evacuated) to ' prevent the enemy from as
cending James river, the ship, with very little more, if any
lightening of draft, with her iron sheathing still extending
three feet under water, could have been taken up to Hog
Island, in James river (where the channel is narrow) ; could
there have prevented the larger transports and vessels of
the enemy from ascending ; and that such disposition should
have been made of her; and if it should be ascertained
that her provisions could not be replenished when those
on board were exhausted, then the proper time would have
arrived to take into consideration the expediency or practi
cabifity of striking a last blow at the enemy, or destroying
her. "The substance of the finding of the Court of Inquiry,
so far, may probably be embraced in the first charge and
specification of 'culpably' destroying tlie ship in Hampton
Eoads, 'when, with the draft to which she had been, or
might have been reduced, she could have been carried up
James river to a place of usefulness, free from immediate
danger.' "But there is a further part of the finding of the Court
of Inquiry (and the most injurious of all to myself), which
is not, as it seems, clearly, although such is avowed by
the Judge Advocate to have been his intentions, embraced
in the charge before the court. I have applied to the Secre
tary of the Navy to have it made the subject of specific
charge, but was informed by that officer that he had referred

196 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
the matter to the Judge Advocate, who expresses the opinion
that it is substantially so embraced. In that point of view
I may refer to it. It is as follows : ' In conclusion, the court
are of opinion that the evacuation of Norfolk, the destruc
tion of the Navy Yard and other public property, added
to the hasty retreat of the military under General Huger,
leaving the batteries unmanned and unprotected, no doubt
conspired to produce in the minds of the officers of the
Virginia the necessity of her destruction at the time, as,
in their opinion, the only means left of preventing her from
falling into the hands of the enemy ; and seems to have pre
cluded the consideration of the possibility of getting her up
James river to the point or points indicated.' The innuendo
here is not to be misunderstood. It implied that the de
struction of the ship was the effect of panic on the part
of those engaged in it.
" Nothing could be more blighting to the honor and repu
tation of an officer, than this imputation, if sustained ; and
in this connection I desire to remind the court of the heal
ing scope and efficacy of the judgment they have the power
to pronounce, if the proof in the case shall appear to
entitle me to it. The court may not only pronounce a dry
verdict of acquittal, it may do more. ' Trial before Courts
Martial,' (says Dehart, p. 180), 'must often involve the in
vestigation of divers particulars, under various and distinct
charges. Circumstances which are embodied in the charges,
and upon which constructive guilt is charged, are necessarily
dependent upon motive, by which the degree of criminality
is determined.'"It consequently rests with the court to ascertain this
particular degree, and declare it by their finding, and the
verdict may be special, as it is not necessary that it be gen-

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 19?
eral, as to the guilt or innocence of the prisoner.' And
again, (p. 182), 'Court Martials have at times stated the
motives of acquittal, and given an opinion of the conduct of
the accused at length.'
" Now I respectfully and confidently invoke, nay, claim of
this enlightened body of military men, the fullest inquiry
into and report of my motives and conduct in regard to the
destruction of the Virginia; and am fully prepared to stand
or fall by its award.
"It will be perceived that the first charge of 'culpable'
destruction of the Virginia is by no means narrowed by
the first specification of culpably, and without sufficient
reason for so doing, destroying, by fire, the steamer Virginia.
"It is as broad and undefined as the charge itself, involv
ing all the circumstances in which I was placed, as respects
every possible use to which the ship could have been de
voted at any time previous to her destruction. This would
seem to invite an allusion to the events which preceded the
contemplated evacuation of Norfolk, after which it will be
seen I was left no alternative but to attempt to defend
James river.
" When, on the 25th of March last, I was ordered to the
defense of the waters of Virginia, and to hoist my flag
on the steamer Virginia, I could scarcely be supposed in
sensible to the peril of reputation to which I became ex
posed, from the extraordinary and extravagant expectations
in the public mind, founded on ignorance of the character
of the ship, and the recent brilliant success of Commodore
Buchanan under circumstances which could not again be
looked for. The frigates of the enemy were incautiously
at anchor in Hampton Eoads, and the opportunity was
seized by that gallant officer with a judgment and prompt-

198 THE LIFE AND , SERVICES 6$
ness which ensured the glorious result, which, while it could
not exalt him too highly in public estimation, unfortunately
produced a false estimate of the ship, dangerous to the
reputation of his successor. From the day of his success
to the evacuation of Norfolk, I do not think that a single
vessel of the enemy has anchored in Hampton Eoads, ex
cepting a few gun-boats and small transports lying either
under the guns of the forts, or on flats unapproachable by
the Virginia.
"Yet, for the very brief space of time when the ship was
out of dock, or not in the hands of the yard, but under
my command (thirteen days out of forty-five) the court
will, I may be permitted to say, perceive in the evidence
no signs of indisposition on my part to make her as an
noying and destructive as possible to the enemy.
"Aware that Hampton Eoads furnished me no field for
important operations, I early turned my tfioughts to passing
the forts and striking unexpectedly at some distant point,
say New York, or Port Eoyal and Savannah, and in a letter
of the 10th of April, to the Secretary, I conveyed my views
as follows :
" ' I have been aware from the first that my command is
dangerous to my reputation, from the expectation of the
public, founded on the success of Commodore Buchanan,
and I have looked to a different field from his to satisfy
them. "'I shall never find in Hampton Eoads the opportunity
my gallant friend found.
"'There is no chance for me but to pass the forts and
strike elsewhere, and I shall be gratified by your authority
to do so as soon as the ship shall be in a suitable condi
tion to do so.'

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 199
"It will be perceived that this letter was written under
the influence of expectations of improvement in the con
dition of the ship, created by the letters received by me
from the Secretary of the Navy, informing me of her weak
points, and the changes in her armor which were then in
progress. How much these expectations were disappointed
is made manifest from the evidence. Even the designed
improvements were not fully effected, and at no time did
the Virginia attain the power and capacity of a sea-going
vessel, or exceed the measure of usefulness originally de
signed for her — that of harbor defense.
"When, in compliance with the Secretary's order, I con
sulted Commodore Buchanan on the character and power
of the ship, he expressed the distinct opinion then, as he
has testified here, that she was unseaworthy, and he
informed me then that she was not sufficiently buoyant,
and that in a common sea she would founder.
"Her construction was such that the moment the sea
struck her, the water would rush into her ports.
"Mr. Porter, the naval constructor of the ship, has testi
fied that he informed me he had reported to the Secretary
of the Navy that the ship could not go to sea with safety.
And such were the radical defects of her engines, as greatly
to retard and interfere with her operations even in the
smooth waters of Elizabeth City and Hampton Eoads.
"The official report of acting Chief Engineer Eamsay,
of the 5th of May (made part of your record), is in this
point so important as to challenge special attention.
" Moreover, it is in evidence that on five trips made from
Norfolk to Hampton, a distance of but ten miles, the engines
failed twice, obliging me, on one occasion, to return to
Norfolk to repair them ; and on another, making it neces-
27

200 THE LIFE AND SERVICES Of
sary to work one of her engines at high pressure, 'just
managing' (to use the words of the Chief Engineer in his
report of the 5th of May, to Lieutenant Catesby Jones),
'to reach her anchorage at Norfolk.' Under these untoward
circumstances, I was mortified beyond measure by frequent
suggestions, not only from unofficial, but high official sources,
of important services to be performed by the Virginia, found
ed on the most exaggerated ideas of her qualities, among
them the feasibility of passing the forts and going into York
river to assist the military operations at the Peninsula.
"It was while these conceptions formed the subject of
anxious reflections with me that the Chief Engineer volun
teered his report to me of the 5th of May, in which he
enters particularly and at length into the subject of the ship's
capacity. He says, as to her engines, ' that from present
and past experience he is of opinion that they cannot
be relied on ; that in the two years' cruise of the Merrimac
they were continually breaking down when least expected,
and the ship had to be sailed under canvas the greater
part of the cruise ; that the engines gave out the day before,
as he had already reported, after running only a few hours,
and as he could not ensure their working any length of
time, he deemed it his duty to report, etc. ; that at the time
he was ordered to the vessel, he was informed that it was
not the intention to take the ship where a delay, occasioned by
a derangement in the machinery, would endanger her safety,
and that she would always be accessible to the Navy Yard for
repairs, which was the reason why he h:id deferred this re
port,' etc. He adds : ' Each time that we have gone down,
I have had to make repairs, which could not have been
done aboard ship very well, or, if done at all, would have
required a great deal of time.'

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 201
"The pilots, too, my only source of information as to the
feasibility of carrying the ship past the forts into York
river, report in writing substantially (their report is of
record) that they could not,- with any probability of success,
take the ship there by night, and that it would require a
clear day, that they must see the land, and that if it should
come on to blow, or the weather be thick, there was no
harbor in which they could place her. They say, 'If the
lights, light-boats, and buoys, which were found necessary
for the navigation of the channel, still existed, there would
be no trouble in reaching York river, except so far as the
enemy may have obstructed the way, for there is plenty
of water. If the weather were smooth and clear, and the
lead and compass could be relied on, we could still take
the Virginia to Yorktown. But the lights, light-boats, and
buoys having been removed, the compasses of the ship
being almost useless from local attraction, and the lead
equally so by the fire of the enemy, we have serious doubts
as to our ability to carry the draft of twenty-three feet
with any reasonable prospect of success.'
"And the 'extensive flats,' say they, 'inside of York river,
on both sides, offer a safe retreat to a large fleet from the
fire of a vessel of this draft; and all vessels in Poquosin
river, or at anchor off Shipping Point, are not to be ap
proached by the Virginia nearer than four miles.'
"That the enemy had obstructed the way was plain to
view, from the unusual manner in which they used the
channel between the forts ; that they had done so most
effectually, may be safely inferred from the resources of
material and skill at their command, and their known in
dustry in their use. To have attempted to pass this ob
structed channel in open day, in full fire of both forts and

202 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
all their men-of-war, some twenty in number, including
the Monitor and other iron vessels and steamers fitted
for the express purpose of running her down (see the
testimony of Lieutenant Catesby Jones), would indeed
have merited the epithet of folly, which, in the opinion of
that gallant officer, the effort would have deserved.
"Thus it will be seen that I was in command of a ship
that could not go to sea, nor even into Chesapeake Bay,
without great hazard (and that without reference to the
enemy), and that with a great diaft of water, in narrow
channels, she was in a great degree trammeled by pilots
not reliable, as is clearly shown by the record and the Se
cretary's letters to me, of the 1st and 8th of April, on file,
thus depriving me of the privilege of maneuvring her
freely, and by my own judgment.
"I had nothing left me but to be patient, to attempt
what I thought was in the compass of the ship's power,
and to carry out the orders of the Secretary of the Navy.
"During the short time she was not in dock, or in the
hands of the Navy Yard (some thirteen days), it is proved
that she went down to the Eoads and offered fight to the
Monitor. " She covered the gun-boats at that time while they made
prizes. She showed herself several times at Sewell's Point,
giving the enemy the impression she was ready for any
service. On one occasion she drove the enemy off from
bombarding Sewell's Point. She also kept the Eoads clear
of the enemy's men-of-war.
"From a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, of the
9th of April, enclosing one from General Lee, of the same
date, suggesting operations in the direction of Yorktown,
I extract the following paragraph :

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 203
" ' I regard the Virginia as of the first importance to the
safety of Norfolk, and hence, though the suggestion of Gen
eral Lee of a dash at the enemy on York river holds out
temptation to go at him at once, it should not be made if
Norfolk is to be thereby exposed to capture.'
"From another letter from the Secretary, of the 12th
of April, the following is also extracted :
"'No immediate necessity for your leaving the Eoads
exists, and concurring with you in the opinion you express,
that were the Virginia to pass the forts Norfolk would be
in danger of immediate capture, you will not subject it to
this hazard without the sanction of this Department.'
"This sanction was never given. I will only add, in this
connection, as evidence of my willingness to undertake,
under these adverse circumstances and embarrassments, any
hazardous enterprise which the Government might deem
of public service, an extract from my reply to the Secre
tary's letter of the 8th of April :
"'If the presence of the Virginia at Yorktown- be deemed
at Eichmond of such paramount importance as to call for
the passage of the forts at all hazards, I shall, on hearing
from you by telegraph to that effect, attempt it at all
hazards.' " And again, in a letter of the 30th of April, I wrote :
'"I am prepared to run any hazard with her (the ship),
under the advice and direction of the department, but in
view of your instructions to me, am not prepared to aban
don Norfolk and Hampton Eoads for a distant field of
action, and for an object of very doubtful attainment.'
"The foregoing imperfect recital covers the events of
my campaign occurring before the evacuation of Norfolk.
I rely on it to vindicate the propriety of my motives and

204 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
conduct previous to that event. As the specification that
'the ship,' at the draft to which she was, or might have been
reduced, could have been carried up James river to a place
of usefulness, free from immediate danger, is designed, as
the Judge Advocate avows, to conform with the part of
the finding of the Court of Inquiry, already stated, that
she should have been carried to Hog Island, in James river,
and in her lightened condition employed there as a war
vessel, it would seem that a comparison of the prudence
and wisdom of that course, with the course actually pursued,
will exhaust this part of the subject, and leave the court
under no difficulty of decision between the two.
"Now that the Virginia could have been fought as a war
vessel any where after being lightened . to twenty feet six
inches, by which her knuckle was exposed, rests upon no
opinion, military or unmilitary, that has ever been ex
pressed, except that of the Court of Inquiry. On the con
trary, the testimony is unanimous the other way, including
that of Mr. Porter, the naval constructor, and that her
iron sheathing when so lightened, though it did extend
three feet six inches below the water, (it is omitted from the
finding that a considerable portion of it was only one inch
thick, its original thickness, the additional covering, with
two additional inches, not extending the whole way), would
not have protected her.
"Then as to the eligibility of Hog Island as a place of
retreat, it is unanimously condemned by every military
opinion which has been expressed upon it ; and it is not a
little remarkable that in the proceedings of the Court of
Inquiry no military opinion is asked at all on this point.
"It rests on the opinion of pilots Parrish and Wright
alone. They told the court the ship could have been light-

Commodore josiah tattnall. 265
ened at Hog Island with the same facility as where she
was lightened, and that she could have protected the river,
because the enemy would have to pass in close reach of
her guns ; that is, we were bound to lighten her some to.
get her up to Hog Island.
" She could protect the river as well at Hog Island, as the
enemy's vessels would have to pass her in four hundred
yards, within range of her guns, and that was deemed so
clearly demonstrative of the superior elegibility of Hog
Island, as the place of resort, that the court thinks nothing
could have blinded our eyes to it but the evacuation of
Norfolk, the destruction of the Navy Yard and other public
property, added to the hasty retreat of the military under
General Huger, leaving the batteries unmanned and un
protected, no doubt conspiring to produce in the minds
of the officers of the Virginia the necessity of her destruc
tion at the time, as in their opinion the only means left of
preventing her from falling into the hands of the enemy,
and seeming to have precluded the consideration of the
possibihty of getting up James river to the point or points
indicated. Comment here is surely unnecessary. Nor can
it be necessary to dwell on the alternative presented by the
Court of Inquiry, of destroying the ship at Hog Island, or,
in her then exposed condition, 'making a last dash at the
enemy,' consisting of twenty sail, including the Minnesota,
the Monitor, and three other iron-clad steamers, the ram
Vanderbilt, and others ; or should we, after passing through
them, have gone down to Cape Henry, rounded the Horse
Shoe, — the lighter vessels of the enemy, drawing sixteen feet,
the while passing the swash channel and reaching Yorktown
hours before us, — and come to Yorktown only to find the
enemy's vessels placed in safety above us, and then with

206 the Life and services of
boats lost and provisions consumed, have hoisted a flag
of distress, or flag of truce, and surrendered at discretion ?
A glance at the evidence will show that the idea of carrying
•the ship to Hog Island, and keeping her there for defense,
if ever conceived, could only have been dismissed as vain
and futile.
"Lieutenant Catesby Jones says:
"'I think it ought not to have been done, because the
enemy was in possession of the batteries above Hog Island.
" ' The Galena and other gun-boats were also up the river.
There had been batteries of our own opposite Hog Island,
which commanded the anchorage which the Virginia would
have to have taken, and if there were no guns there, the
enemy could easily have placed them there.
"'The ship, with her inclined armor above the water,
which at that place we could have had no means of bring
ing below the water, was not in a condition to contend
against such batteries and the gun-boats.
"'She would necessarily have to have been at anchor,
and could not change her position.
"'We did not have much water on .board, and as the
water at Hog Island was not fresh, we could not have
stayed there long.
" ' The proper place in James river to which the steamer
should be taken up, was a matter of discussion between
Commodore Tattnall and myself, and he was of opinion
she could be taken up to Westover, which was above the
enemy's batteries, in communication with Eichmond, and
where there was a good position for batteries on shore to
assist us in protecting the river.'
"Again he says, speaking of the feasibility of sinking
her to her original draft at Hog Island :

commodore josiah Tattnall. 207
" ' She could not, by any means in our power, have been
sunk to her depth of twenty-three feet, and she be preserved
as a steamer of war. I think there was water enough
to sink her to twenty-three feet at Hog Island, but of this.
I am not certain. If we had put water in her it would
have put out the fires, and drowned the magazine and
shell room, and any idea of aid from the shore in sinking
her was forbidden, for to say nothing of the hostile occu
pation of both shores, we had only two small boats to
the ship, carrying fifteen men each in smooth water.'
Surely this is sufficient.
"It only remains to consider briefly the course actually
adopted; whether it was prudent or culpable, either in its
conception or in its attempted execution under the cir
cumstances. "The plan of taking the ship up to a narrow part of
James river and there assuming a defensive point, was
by no means a sudden thought with me, dictated by the
hasty and unexpectedly early evacuation of Norfolk.
"After the determination to retreat from Yorktown, and as
a consequence of that measure to evacuate Norfolk, whereby
both banks of the James would necessarily fall into the
hands of the enemy, it had occurred to me, as the best
means of defending the river to which I had been specially
ordered, and had been communicated to the gallant officers
near me, who shared my confidence and counsel.
"The attempt was precipitated, it is true, by the unex
pected advance of the enemy on Norfolk.
"The last orders I received from the Secretary of the
Navy in regard to the Virginia were by telegraph on the
5th and 6th of May, four days before the abandonment
of Norfolk. 28

208 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OE
"The effect of both was to direct me to protect Norfolk as
well as James river, and if possible to prevent the enemy
from ascending it. As to this it may be here remarked, as I
had signified to the Secretary my inability, with the five
vessels under my command, to prevent this, I wrote him
on the 21st of April that his gunboats could go from the
forts to Newport News, a distance of six miles, with perfect
impunity, and that to prevent misconstruction, I wished
it understood that I could not prevent it, or their army
from crossing except so far as the force of steamers I had
placed in the river could do so.
"On the 9th of May, the day before the evacuation,
a conference of officers of the army and navy was held,
by suggestion of the Secretary of the Navy (in which
Commodore Hollins, a member of the court, participated),
in which it was decided that the Virginia should remain
at Sewell's Point, to cover Norfolk, until after the evacu
ation. Commodore Hollins has testified to what occurred
in that conference.
" He says that it was expected, in the last resort, the ship
would be taken up James river to a point of safety for
herself, and to protect Eichmond; and when asked where
he was to have gone to find such a place, he answered, 'I
do not know anything further than what the pilots said,
up to Harrison's bar ;' and when asked, if I had not been
able to take her up there, what disposition I was expected
to make of her, he replied, that he did not take that into
consideration at the time, as he thought it was a thing
which could be done, from what the pilots said; and it
is in proof that on the 9th, the day before the unexpected
evacuation on the 10th, I consulted with Captain Lee, the
Commandant at the Navy Yard, as to the best mode of

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 209
taking her up without a loss of ballast, and with a view
to having the use of her ballast after we got up.
"We arranged that I would take the two empty water
tanks, two large floats, and two launches, and not thinking
that the enemy would be in Norfolk the next day, I pre
pared to return to the Navy Yard for all these things.
My plan was to place the ship in a narrow part of the
river, in fresh water, above the batteries of the enemy
on either shore (both being in their hands), in easy com
munication with Eichmond, whence her supplies might be
drawn, and with the shore, where batteries of our own might
protect and cooperate with her and material might be ob
tained to sink her to the required draft, and there to defend
the river. What might have been the effect if the plan had
succeeded (particularly in the present attitude of the oppos
ing armies), must be left to conjecture ; at all events it was
the best course that suggested itself, in trying and difficult
circumstances, and I have not yet been taught by any criti
cism that it has encountered that a better could be devised.
"The plan, however, in its execution, necessarily depended
on two conditions — the one that the ship could be lightened
to eighteen feet draft; the other, that with that draft she
could be carried as high up as the plan required.
"It is said the first of these conditions was impossible,
and that I did not take the requisite means to inform
myself that it was so.
" I have to reply, that the Secretary of the Navy, in his
letter of March 25th assigning me to the ship and advising
me whom to consult about her, says :
"'Your Flag-officer, Lieutenant Jones, is said to have
fought the ship gallantly, and he is thoroughly informed
about her.'

210 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
"Constructor Porter bears the same testimony to Lieu
tenant Jones' thorough information about her, and that
officer was not only then of opinion, but swears to his.
belief now, that she could be lightened to eighteen feet ;
and this was one main source of information on which I
relied. "To the Constructor, — Mr. Porter, — I applied through
Pay-master Semple for information on the subject, who
swears positively that he obtained the Constructer's written
report that the ship could be lightened to even seventeen
feet, and would have stability to tfiat draft in James river.
Now, whether Mr. Semple misunderstood Mr. Porter or
not, there can be no doubt of the nature of the reply com
municated to me, through a reliable source, upon which,
in the nature of things, having no knowledge of my own,
I was obliged to rely. Nor will the positive and reliable
testimony thus given be much shaken by Mr. Porter's flip
pant answer to the question why he did not give full in
formation — ' That I never spent a thought on the subject — I
was busy — I supposed the officers knew all what they were
about, and I gave all the information that was asked of me.'
"It will be recollected he was apprised of the meditated
disposition of the ship, and had been asked for written
official information on the subject.
"Then could the ship be carried to Harrison's bar with
eighteen feet, and did I resort to the proper source of in
formation on the point whether she could be or not?
"I had been early warned against the pilots, yet with
no charts accessible, and none of the officers having any
knowledge of the sounding of the river, on what else could
I rely ?
"As early as the 8th of April the Secretary writes to me :

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 211
"'You are very much in the hands of your pilots. I
am convinced they might have placed the ship nearer to
the Minnesota in the late engagement than they did, and
that they erred from a high sense of their responsibility
only.' "But there is ground for the belief that a much darker
stain is attached to their conduct. •
"It is significant that the statements of a number of
witnesses, embarked in a common business, on an important
inquiry should be found altogether so wholly destitute of
the traces of sincerity and truth ; and when it appears that
an object was to be attained by such means, it is hard to
resist the conclusion of complicity and combination to at
tain it. That object would seem to have been the destruc
tion of the ship, rather than to go with her beyond the
forts or up James river, in the presence of the enemy's fleet.
"For without proceeding with the dissection of so much
tergiversation and falsehood, ' experimentum in corpore vile,'
it is proved as irrefragably as anything can be established
by human testimony, that when the destination of the
ship seemed to be past the forts and up York river, they
were pressing in their representations to all the officers
who have testified, that they could carry the ship up to ,
Harrison's bar with eighteen feet water ; and when that
project seemed to be abandoned, and the prospect was
that the ship, when lightened to that draft, would be car
ried up James river, perhaps ' into the presence of the
enemy, they permitted, nay, encouraged the lightening to
proceed in their presence, until she became helpless, and
then surprised her officers with the declaration that they
were unable to carry her up at the draft of eighteen feet,
to which it was proposed to reduce her, in the then present

212 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
state of winds and tides, a qualification which they had
never before expressed.
"And they now here falsely declare that by the general
understanding of the officers, the ceasing to ligfiten the
ship was owing to the discovery that she could not be re
duced to eighteen feet, when it is established beyond doubt
or cayil that no such impression prevailed among them,
and that it was owing simply and solely to their own sud
den and unexpected announcement that she could not
ascend the river with that draft.
" They are convicted, too, by several unimpeachable wit
nesses, of the declaration (in the teeth of their disclaimer
here, after it was known that the attempt would be made
to ascend the river, the enemy's fleet having gone up,) that
nothing remained to do but to abandon the ship and de
stroy her ; one of them expressing to one witness his
opinion of the hardship that they, — the pilots, — with depen
dent families, should be exposed to the dangers probably
to be encountered in the ship.
"He must be a savage judge, indeed, who would visit
me with a penalty for the fraudulent impositions practiced
on me by these men.
"The attempt to ascend the river (frustrated by the
treachery to which I have alluded, and resulting in the
ship's destruction,) was undoubtedly hastened beyond ex
pectation. "On the 9th it was supposed that the evacuation and
removal of the public property would occupy a week or
more, during which I was to cover the evacuation, and, so
far as might be, prevent the enemy's ascent.
"On the 10th, information of our design having been
traitorously conveyed to the enemy, he was in full march

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 213
in force on Norfolk. The City, Navy Yard, and batteries
were abandoned, and the naval and military force had
retired. "Nothing remained but still, under increased embarrass
ments, to prosecute my original design. It was defeated
by no fault of mine, but it is shown beyond dispute that
from the officers who commanded and superintended the
lightening of the ship, to the crew who went to the work
with a cheer — in the work itself, in the destruction of the
ship, in the landing and retreat of the crew, all was order,
deliberation, and energy. And any assumption to the con
trary is not only unsupported, but is in the teeth of every
thing that has been proved in any stage of this cause.
"There is a charge of 'improvident conduct' in lightening
the steamer at the bight of Craney Island, instead of taking
her up James river, and there lightening her when the ne
cessity for doing so arose, and to the extent of that necessity.
"It is easily disposed of. The ascent, to be successful,
required that the lightening of the ship should have been
done, not in, but out of the presence of the enemy — a
result which could more probably be attained by lightening
her at once, where she was, instead of being probably
compelled in the ascent to carry out the design in his sight.
Other reasons might be given, but this seems sufficient.
"Again, some question has been made as to the place
where the ship was abandoned and destroyed. The best
information I could get recommended that as the easiest
place of retreat. It is in proof, by the Secretary of War,
that the danger was, when both shores became open to
the enemy, that he would pass his forces over to the
south side and intercept retreat by the southern bank.
" In that view time was precious, — the landing should be

214 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OE
effected at once. The result was that the retreat of the
crew was successful, and in thirty-six hours' time they had
reached Drewry's Bluff, ready to cooperate, as they did,
in the gallant defense made at that place.
" Thus perished the Virginia ! and with her many high
flown hopes of naval supremacy and success. That de
nunciation, loud and deep, should follow in the wake of
such an event, might be expected from the excited mass
who, on occasions of vast public exigency, make their wishes
the measure of their expectations, and recognize in public
men no criterion of merit but perfect success. But he
who worthily aspires to a part in great and serious affairs,
must be unawed by the clamor, looking to the right-judging
few for present support, and patiently waiting for the calmer
time when reflection shall assume a general sway, and by
the judgment of all full justice, though tardy, will be done
to his character, motives, and conduct.
" Eespectfully submitted, "J. Tattnall."*
The testimony of the witnesses and the statements of
parties being all before the court, it was cleared for delib
eration. After mature consideration the court unanimously
found as follows :
"That the first specification of the first charge is not
proved. " That the second specification of the first charge is not
proved. * Note by Flag-officer Tattnall :
The testimony of two of the Lieutenants of the Virginia,— 3. T. Wood and Charles
King,— was not taken by the Court Martial, owing to their unavoidable absence. They
had testified, however, before the Court of Inquiry that they approved of the effort to
take the ship up the James river, and that her destruction was the best disposition that
could have been made of her.
The testimony and witnesses before the Court Martial and Court of Inquiry were the
same, excepting that the Secretary of War and Surgeon Phillips did not testify before the
Court of Inquiry.

Commodore josiah Tattnall. 215
"And that the accused is not guilty of the first charge.
" That the first specification of the second charge is not
proved. "That the second specification of the second charge is
not proved.
"And that the accused is not guilty of the second charge.
"That the specification of the third charge is proved.
" And that the accused is not guilty of the third charge.
"The court do further find that the accused had, while
in command of the Virginia, and previous to the evacuation
of Norfolk, thrown down the gage of battle to the enemy's
fleet in Hampton Eoads, and that the enemy had declined
to take it up ; that the day before Norfolk was evacuated,
a consultation, at the instance of the Secretary of the Navy,
was held by a joint commission of the navy and army offi
cers, as to the best disposition to be made of the ship ; that
the accused was in favor of passing Fortress Monroe and
taking the ship into York river, or of running before Savan
nah with her ; that in this he was overruled by the council,
who advised that she should remain on this side of Fortress
Monroe for the protection of Norfolk and Eichmond ; and
that in accordance with this advice, she proceeded to regu
late her movements ; that after the evacuation of Norfolk,
Westover, on James river, became the most suitable position
for her to occupy ; that while in the act of lightening her
for the purpose of taking her up to that point, the pilots,
for the first time, declared their inability to take her up,
even though her draft should be reduced to its minimum
of eighteen feet ; that by the evacuation of Norfolk and
the abandonment of our forts below Westover, both banks
of the James river, below that point, were virtually given
up to the enemy ; that the ship being thus cut off from
29

216 THE LIEE and services of
Norfolk and Eichmond, was deprived of all outward sources
of supply, save those of the most precarious and uncertain
character ; that her store of provisions would not last for
more than three weeks ; that, when lightened, she was
made vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy ; and that
after having been lightened, there were no available means
of bringing her down to her proper draft and fighting trim ;
and that she had but two small boats, each capable of
landing not more than fifteen or eighteen men at a time,
even in smooth water.
"Such being the facts and circumstances under the in
fluence of which the Virginia found herself after the eva
cuation of Norfolk, it was, in the opinion of the court,
only necessary for the enemy to continue to refuse battle,
as he had done since it was first offered by Captain Tattnall
early in April, and thence forward to keep a strict watch
about the Virginia, in order, when her provisions were
exhausted, to make her his prize, and her crew his prisoners.
" Being thus situated, the only alternative, in the opinion
of the court, was to abandon and burn the ship then and
there ; which, in the judgment of the court, was deliberately
and wisely done by order of the accused.
"Wherefore, the court do award to the said Captain
Josiah Tattnall an honorable acquittal.
" L. Eousseau, Capt, Franklin Buchanan, Capt.,
" Geo. N. Hollins, Capt., Eob't G. Eobb, Com'der,
"M. Mason, Com'der, Eben Farrand, Com'der,
"A. B. Fairfax, Com'der, M. F. Maury, Com'der,
" George Minor, Com'der, Wm. L. Maury, Lieut.,
"E<:b't B. Pegram, Lieut., Eob't Ould, Judge Advocate."
This finding of the court was accepted by the public as
a truthful, generous, noble tribute to the courage, enter-

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 217
prize, judgment, and professional abilities of Flag-officer
Tattnall, and as a just and severe rebuke to the Court of
Inquiry. Coming from a detail of officers of such high
repute, this vindication was most grateful to the Commo
dore, who valued his professional reputation far beyond
life itself.
As indicating the general satisfaction when the judgment
of the court was announced, we clip the following from a
leading contemporaneous journal :
"While the friends of our brave old Commodore have
never entertained the slightest uneasiness concerning the
judgment of the Naval Court Martial, convened at his sug
gestion, yet the circumstances of his acquittal are such
as to occasion a peculiar degree of satisfaction. No honest,
well-balanced mind could, under the circumstances, have
arrived at any other conclusion ; still officers of the navy,
distinguished for their long service, had, from motives of
their own, cast a stain upon his well-earned reputation.
It was this that caused him to appeal to a still higher
tribunal, and demand its judgment. That judgment has
been given, and in a manner not only vindicatory, but
highly complimentary of himself. There can be no appeal
from or questioning of the decision of such men as Eous-
seau, the oldest naval commander in the service ; Buchanan,
who commanded the Virginia in her great exploits in Hamp
ton Eoads and knew well her structure and power; Pegram,
the most gallant seaman of his day, together with Maury,
and Mason, and Fairfax, and others.
"We have, from the beginning, regarded this attempt to
depreciate the reputation of Commodore Tattnall as the
result of ignorance on the part of some, and of jealousy

218 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
on the part of others. We, therefore, rejoice that the truth
has been vindicated, and his fair fame relieved of every
breath of suspicion against it."
Of the fact that true friendship "standeth stiffly in
storms" Commodore Tattnall, during this period of trial.
had abundant and most pleasing proof. His friend, the
Honorable John E. Ward, late Minister to China, who was
with him at the affair of the Pei-ho, and on terms of in
timacy, repaired to Eichmond and by his counsel and legal
ability rendered most valuable assistance during the pro
gress of the trial. From men, good and great, came ex
pressions of hope and cordial wishes for the vindication
of his fair fame. Among them we select one which will
be read with the deepest interest :
" Summerville, 7th July, 1862.
" My Dear Commodore :
"I have often thought it was a cruel necessity that forced
a man like you, enjoying a continental reputation, to leave
your situation in a great and eminent command for the
service of a third or fourth-rate power. You certainly gave
a strong proof of that Nostalgia which confers on the spot
of one's birth an interest beyond the value of riches, when
you threw up one of the proudest situations under the sun
to take your part with a people that could offer you nothing
better than a cock-boat fleet. Yet the sacrifice was made,
and you gave up for a sentiment your rank in the United
States Navy ; nor can I conceive of a greater instance of
self-denial. With such thoughts, judge what my feelings
were when I heard that you were reproached by the people
for whom you had sacrificed so much., for not fulfilling the
expectations of their foolish self-conceit by making one

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 219
steamboat, however good, a match for a whole navy. My
opinion is worth very little. Age has tamed my voice and
arm, and I have lived to bear many things that I would
rather never have lived to see ; but I cannot refrain from
giving vent to my feelings so far as to tell you, my dear
Commodore, how deeply I feel the injury done you, and
sympathize in your virtuous indignation. I do not allow
myself, for a moment, to doubt of your complete justifica
tion before the court where you are carried, and before the
bar of the public. But the attempt to tarnish your fame
by the notoriety of a trial, is an offense hard to atone for.
I anticipate a complete triumph for you, but that is but
poor satisfaction for the impertinence of a public accusation
against a general benefactor.
"Accept, my dear Commodore, the heartfelt sympathy
of a friend in that of yours truly, "J. L. Petigru."
In narrating the story of this trying period in the life
of Commodore Tattnall we have carefully refrained from
harsh comment. We preferred to present the facts as they
existed, and a narrative of the events as they transpired.
Grievous were the responsibilities devolved upon those
charged with the administration of the departments of the
Confederate Government ; and, in some instances, the back
was unsuited to the burthen. But let that pass. Enough
for us to know that this brave Georgian, — the most dis
tinguished that his. State ever committed to the winds and
waves of old ocean, — a man and an officer of whom any
people might justly be proud, — passed through this furnace
unscathed, and without the smell of fire upon his profes
sional garments.

CHAPTEE SIXTEENTH.

Return to Savannah. Changed condition of affairs. Relieved of the
command afloat. Official report to Mr. Mallory of naval matters at
the Savannah station. The iron-clad Atlanta. Commander Page.
Lieutenant Webb. History of the Atlanta. Her engagement with
the Weehawken and Nahant, and capture by them.
Upon the promulgation of the finding of the Court Mar
tial, Commodore Tattnall returned to Savannah and resumed
command of its naval defenses. The entire coast of Geor
gia was in the possession of the Federals who could enter
and depart from its sounds and inlets at pleasure. After
the fall of Fort Pulaski the defensive line for the protection
of the water approaches to Savannah was materially con
tracted. There was comparatively little that the navy could
accomplish. It lacked both space and opportunity for
operations, and was deficient in vessels of war capable of
important service. Keenly must tfie Commodore have felt
the change of circumstances, but he had made the sacrifice
in the name of his State and no murmer escaped his lips.
He had surrendered position, pay, yes, everything that
was attractive in the old navy, in response to what he
conceived his highest duty, and no one ever heard him
utter a word of regret at the step he had taken. He who
had been accustomed to commands which an Admiral might
envy, who time and again had attracted the gaze of the
world by the nobility of fiis impulses and the valor of his
deeds, was now busying himself with what his friend, Mr
Petigru, denominated "nothing better than a cock-boat
fleet." Day by day his greatness was expended upon little

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 221
things, but he made the most of them and pursued the
even tenor of his way with patient endurance. Everywhere,
by the officers with whom he associated, by the men whom
he commanded, and by the citizens among whom he dwelt,
was he regarded with the most profound respect and
veneration. On the 24th of March, 1863, came an order from the
Secretary of the Navy relieving him from the command
afloat, and limiting, him to the shore command at the Savan
nah station. There was no cause for this ; and no explana
tion for it can be found save*that it was on a par with
many ungenerous and foolish acts committed by Mr. Mal
lory, who always craved the execution of wondeiful things,
expected surprizing achievements, and yet possessed not
the intellect to suggest or the nerve to order them.
In justice to Commodore Tattnall we here introduce an
official communication to which, so far as we can learn,
no suitable reply was ever made. The subsequent unfor
tunate fate of the Atlanta sadly demonstrated the wisdom
of the views entertained by the Flag-officer :
" Confederate States Naval Department,
" Savannah, Ga., April 24th, 1863.
" Honorable S. E. Mallory,
" Secretary of the Navy, Eichmond, Va. :
"Sir: In obedience to your order of the 24th March,
ultimo, to transfer the command afloat on this station to
Commander Page, I telegraphed to that officer, then in
Charleston on duty, to return to Savannah, and transferred
to him verbally, on the 31st of March, and more formally
in writing the next morning, the command afloat, with all
the vessels, excepting the steamer Sampson, .retained as a

222 THE LIFE AND SERVICES Of
receiving ship, together with all the officers and men of
the station, excepting Assistant Surgeon Sandford, and Lieu
tenant Morris, in charge of the rendezvous and at present
acting as ordnance officer.
"At the time of the transfer all the vessels, the Georgia
excepted, were lying at Thunderbolt, near the head of
Warsaw Sound.
"In view of the time and manner of my removal from
the command afloat, it becomes my duty to review and place
on record at the Navy Department the facts which con
trolled the movements of tke Atlanta since her transfer to
my command.
"On resuming the command of this station, in August
last, I found but two armed vessels, the Savannah, a small
steamer of one gun, with her engines on deck, and the
floating battery Georgia, of whose inefficiency you were
informed. Finding that the obstructions placed in the Sa
vannah river were too distant from the land batteries to be
adequately protected by them, I placed the Georgia at
that point, where she could alone be of service. I took
the precaution to write Major-General Pemberton, com
manding this military department, and Brigadier-General
Mercer, commanding the District of Georgia, to accompany
and aid me in selecting the position for the Georgia, and
the one selected had their concurrence. The position was
an exposed one, as she could receive no aid from the bat
teries, and the enemy could approach to within two hundred
and fifty yards of her by both the north and south chan
nels ; the former having eighteen feet at high water and
the latter twelve feet. I informed Lieutenant Commanding
J. P. Jones that should his vessel be attacked, I should
hoist my flag on board of her and share her fate.

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 223
"On resuming the command of the station, I found the
steamer Atlanta approaching completion. Mr. Tift, who
was in charge of her construction, called at my office and
showed me his authority from yourself giving him the sole
control of her construction, and, in reply to a question, he
stated that it was intended that the commandant of the
station should have nothing to do with her. I, of course,
abstained from interfering in any shape whatever.
" After the transfer of the vessel to me, no time was lost
in preparing her for service.
"An unexpected delay was caused, however, by her leak
ing through her sponsons, and some additional arrange
ments were found to be essential in the engineer's depart
ment; all of which was reported to you.
"In placing the obstructions in the south channel of the
Savannah river the military engineer had informed me that
he had so arranged a portion of them that it could be
removed in two hours to permit the egress of the Atlanta.
"The Atlanta being now ready, I determined to attack
the enemy's vessels in Warsaw and Ossabaw sounds on
the first high spring tide, that being the only time, owing
to her great draft of water, that the ship could get out
of the river. I sent Commander McBlair to arrange with
the engineer-officer the day and hour for the opening of
the passage, and dropped the Atlanta down to the obstruc
tions. I was doomed, however, to a bitter disappointment,
the arrangements made by the engineer proving a total
failure ; all of which was circumstantially reported to you
in my communication of the 9th February last.
"It took one month before the engineer cleared the
passage for me, and I then prepared to use the next spring
tide, occurring on the 4th of February last.
30

224 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
"Several days, however, before this high tide, and when
the Atlanta could not leave the Savannah river, the enemy
reinforced his squadron in Ossabaw sound with one of his
monitor steamers, and attacked Genesis' Point Battery. The
distance of this point from the Atlanta's anchorage in the Sa
vannah river was, by the route her draft of water would have
caused her to take, quite sixty miles, and would, under favor
able circumstances, have required ten hours to accomplish.
"The enemy retired from the attack of Genesis' Point
three days before the looked for high tide, and having
ascertained that his wooden gun-boats were lying below
his iron-clad Monitor, with considerable interval between
them, and thinking that the Atlanta had speed enough to
enable me to avoid an action with the Monitor, and more
to silence the clamor of an ignorant and excited public
than in the expectation of effecting anything important,
I proposed to attack the enemy's rear.
" I considered the Atlanta no match for the monitor class
of vessels at close quarters, and in shoal water particularly,
as owing to the necessity of keeping her light to enable
her to cross the flats and operate in the sounds, at least
two feet of her hull below the knuckle were, exposed,
covered with but two inches of iron.
"With a view to this attack, I endeavored to persuade
the pilot to take the Atlanta to sea one day before the
highest tide, which he positively declined to do, as shown
by the annexed copies of his letters,- — Nos. 1 and 2, — on the
subject. In the meantime, however, the enemy's squadron
in Ossabaw was reinforced and also that in Warsaw by the
Passaic, monitor, rendering such a movement on my part
out of the question. All this was reported to you in my
letter of the 9th of February ultimo.

* COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 225
"On the day of this high tide, 4th of February, I left
the Savannah river and anchored off the fort at Causton's
Bluff, in Augustine creek, having been requested by General
Mercer to cover that point from an attack of the enemy by
the south channel of the Savannah, while a change was
making in the position of the guns of the fort.
"It was at this point I had the misfortune to lose Com
mander Wm. WcBlair, between whom and myself there had
been the most perfect understanding and unity of views.
"This service at Causton's Bluff having been performed,
I returned with the Atlanta to the Savannah river and
anchored at the obstructions, with a view to aiding in their
defense, and awaiting there the further movements of the
enemy. Subsequently the enemy's iron-clads left the sounds
and returned to Port Eoyal, and judging from this that an
attack on Charleston was probable, I took advantage of the
first spring tide to drop the Atlanta down to Thunderbolt, at
the head of Warsaw sound, so as by being rid of the ob
structions and flats above that point, I should be enabled
more certainly to get to sea when the enemy should have
committed himself in an attack on Charleston. In that
event, I had two projects in view, either to attack him
at Port Eoyal, should the force left there justify it, or,
sweeping the sounds to the south of the Savannah, push
on to Key West in the hope of surprising some of the
enemy's vessels in that port. This last would also have
enabled me to consume the fortnight, which I must neces
sarily have passed somewhere outside, until the tides should
have allowed a return to the Savannah river.
"While at this anchorage, however, and when the tides
were at the lowest, two of the enemy's iron-clads anchored
in the mouth of the Savannah, where none of that class

226 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
had ever shown themselves before. They could, in an hour,
have attacked the Georgia and beyond a doubt destroyed
her, for I could not have aided her. Nothing could have
prevented this disaster but ignorance of her force and
condition. "I ordered the return of the ship to the Savannah as
soon as possible, which could not be, however, sooner than
the 3d of April, and four days before that time I trans
ferred the squadron to Commander Page.
" It was my purpose not to have left the Savannah river
again until the enemy should have fully committed himself
in an attack on Charleston, and then to have gone to sea
and executed my plan.
" Having thus detailed my views and action while in com
mand afloat, I have respectfully to ask what supposed
defect in my judgment, or error in my conduct, has brought
upon me the degradation of a removal from my command
when an attack from the enemy was imminent?
" I have also to ask that a Court of Inquiry may be or
dered to investigate such conduct on my part as may have
been deemed objectionable by you, and that if I have been
assailed by persons in this community, as by what I learn
is probable, I may be furnished with the names of my
assailants that I may unmask their villainy and falsehood.
"I 'am, sir, very respectfully,
"Your obedient servant,
"Josiah Tattnall,
" Commandant, Savannah."
Commodore Tattnall very properly refused to be con
trolled by the opinion of the contractor (who was a lands
man charged with converting the Atlanta into an iron-clad

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 227
vessel of war), in matters requiring nautical skill and ex
perience, and declined to be governed by the suggestions
of the Secretary of the Navy as to the management of
that vessel, and the time, tide, and circumstances under
which she should be fought. Anxious to make her service
able to the Confederacy, he still exercised his own judg
ment as to her capabilities and the conditions suited to
their exercise. Had specific orders been issued by the
Navy Department they would have been obeyed at all
hazard; but they came not. In their stead suggestions of
an impracticable character were made ; and, being only
suggestions, Commodore Tattnall treated them as such, and
tested them by the standard of his own superior knowl
edge and enlarged experience. It would really appear, in
the light of subsequent events, as though the Secretary,
over-estimating her power, was blindly bent upon the de
struction of this vessel. Great store was laid by her. In
the estimation of not a few, — partially informed, — she was
deemed competent to almost any achievement.
It will be noted that in response to certain inquiries
propounded by Commodore Tattnall touching the construc
tion of the Atlanta, the contractor produced a letter from
the Secretary of the Navy stating that he, the contractor,
had full authority to act independently of all persons save
the Secretary himself. This was, to say the least of it, a
most novel and extraordinary proceeding. The ship was
being remodeled and armed upon the station for whose
waters she was designed as a main defense, and yet the
officer in command of that station was not to interfere even
by inquiry or suggestion. This was more than the Com
modore could tolerate, and the Secretary of the Navy was
fully advised of his views in the premises.

228 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
Commander Page, — who relieved Commodore Tattnall of
the command afloat, — was an officer of merit and expe
rience. The Navy Department evidently thought and hoped
that he would be controlled by its suggestions and oblique
hints in reference to the conduct of the naval vessels com
mitted to his charge. Like Commodore Tatttnall, however,
in matters involving life and death, grave responsibility,
and the honor of the service, he preferred to be governed
by his professional judgment and experience. He did not
propose, for the gratification of an expectant public and
to satisfy a fretting department, to indulge in a naval
spectacle regardless of its probable termination. As Com
modore Tattnall had stated before, so now did Commander
Page repeat to the Secretary that in professional matters,
so long as he was permitted its exercise, he would be gov
erned by his own best judgment. At the same time he
distinctly confessed that he was prepared to render prompt
and rigid obedience to any positive order which might be
issued, whether it accorded with his views or not. This did
not jump with the wishes of the Navy Department, always
ready to claim credit for every successful action, but unpre
pared to assume responsibility, and by innuendo frequently in
terfering with the well considered plans of its leading officers.
Commander Page was in turn relieved, and Lieutenant
Webb promoted over the heads of brother officers and
assigned to the command.
The Atlanta was originally the Fingal. She was an iron
steamer which, early in the war, had run the blockade,
bringing to Savannah arms and ammunition. On the 23d
of December, 1861, Commodore Tattnall, with his- little
fleet, had attempted to convoy her to sea by the way of
Warsaw sound. The enemy's war vessels appearing in

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 229
force on the coast and subsequently maintaining a constant
lookout for her, the enterprise was abandoned and the
Fingal returned to Savannah, where she was subsequently
converted into an iron-clad, and her name changed to the
Atlanta. She was armed with a battery of four guns. Two
of them, — seven-inch Brooke rifles, — were mounted on bow
and stern pivots. The other two, — six-inch rifles, — were
mounted in broadside. The seven-inch guns were so ar
ranged that they could be worked either as broadside or
as bow and stern guns. Her crew consisted of some twenty-
one officers and one hundred and twenty-four men. She
was well furnished with stores of all sorts. Such was her
condition when Commander Webb steamed past the aban
doned batteries on Skidaway Island to deliver battle to the
Federal iron-clads Weehawken and Nahant, which, in War
saw sound, awaited her coming. When within six hundred
yards of the former she ran aground, but was quickly backed
off. Boldly holding her course she got aground a second
time, and, in this unfortunate situation, from which the
most strenuous efforts failed to extricate her, commenced
the action. Unable to bring her guns to bear with any
degree of accuracy upon the Weekawken which approached
within short range, and, choosing her position, opened fire
with her fifteen-inch guns, she received four shots which
knocked off the pilot-house, drove in a port stopper, seri
ously damaged the armor and wood backing, and wounded
sixteen men, — among them two of the three pilots on board.
Perceiving his hopeless condition, Commander Webb was
forced to surrender. The engagement lasted only about
sixteen minutes, and thus ended the career of the Atlanta.
Her sad fate justified the predictions of Commodore Tatt
nall and Commander Page.

CHAPTEE SEVENTEENTH.

Engaged in supervising the construction of Confederate war vessels at
Savannah. Capture of the United States steamer Water- Witch. Or
dered to destroy all naval vessels at the station if Savannah fell. Re
port of his action in obedience to these instructions. Retreats from
Savannah, in December, 1864, with Lieutenant-General Hardee. In
Augusta, Georgia, until the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston.
After being parolled, returns to Savannah. Letter to General Robert
E. Lee. General Lee's response. Removes to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Again in Savannah. Appointed Inspector of that Port.
Commodore Tattnall continued to exercise the command
of the shore station, which was of importance only in the
efforts he made to build vessels of a class superior to the
Atlanta. This was done under contract with Mr. Willink,
an energetic ship-carpenter and naval constructor of pro
bity and repute. Thus was the Savannah built, and the
Milledgeville was approaching completion when Savannah
passed into the possession of the Federals. The sameness
of the naval service in these waters was on one occasion
relieved by an exploit of considerable merit.
At half-past one o'clock, oh the morning of the 2d of
June, 1864, a boat expedition, under the command of Lieu
tenant Pelot of the Confederate Navy, after a desperate
hand to hand encounter of some fifteen minutes, succeeded
in boarding and capturing the United States steamer Water-
Witch in Ossabaw sound. This vessel formed one of the
blockading squadron on the Georgia coast, and carried a
battery of four guns. The attacking party numbered eighty
men, conveyed in seven barges. The brave young com
mander, who was the first to gain the steamer's deck, was

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 231
shot through the heart while contending most gallantly
with the enemy. In this affair the Confederates lost six
killed and twelve wounded. The Federal loss aggregated
two killed and fifteen wounded. Among the latter was
Lieutenant Pendergrast, commanding. The entire crew,
numbering eighty men, and the vessel were safely conveyed
within the Confederate lines.
On the 10th of December. 1864, in anticipation of the
early evacuation or capture of Savannah, Commodore Tatt
nall received the following dispatch :
"Eichmond, 10th December, 1864,
" Via Courier from Hardeevtlle.
" To Captain Josiah Tattnall,
"Commanding Station :
"Should Savannah fall, do not permit our vessels under
construction or any of the public property in your charge
to fall into the hands of the enemy. Destroy everything
when necessary to prevent this.
"S. E. Mallory,
" Secretary of the Navy."
To the execution of this order he gave his personal su
pervision on the eve of the evacuation of the city of Sa
vannah by the Confederate forces under Lieutenant-General
Hardee. His report to the Department we give in full:
"Augusta, Georgia, 17th January, 1865.
"Sir: In obedience to your order of the 30th Decem
ber, ultimo, which followed me to this place from Charles
ton, I furnish you a statement of the destruction of the
public property under my charge at Savannah, including
the vessels on the stocks and those not completed, and
also what became of the naval and ordnance stores.
31

232 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
"The Milledgeville, the steamer constructed by Mr. Wil-
link and which had been recently launched, was burnt to
the water's edge and sunk in the middle of the river, where
I had anchored her to prevent accident from fire to the
property in the vicinity. In the expectation of getting her
up the river, in which, as I reported to you I was disap
pointed, I had placed some provisions and a few other
unimportant articles on board of her for the use of the
squadron. The provisions, however, had all been trans
ferred to the squadron, and but little was lost in her.
"The ship on the stocks at the yard of Krenston &
Hawkes, I had intended to throw off the stocks as I feared
danger to the neighboring houses if I burnt her. Disap
pointed, however, by nearly all the force I had relied on
to effect it, I, at the last moment, fired her, and she was
consumed. "Some thirty or thirty-five tons of coal were left as it
could not be destroyed or removed, all communication with
Thomasville having been cut off by the enemy ; and, indeed,
the coal would have been required by the squadron had
the siege been continued.
"The property sent to Thomasville consisted chiefly of
a large quantity of paint, one thousand sheets of sheathing
copper, and some blocks, with a very small quantity of
provisions. " The stock of everything in store at Savannah was very
small, nothing having been received from Albany for some
time, owing to the interruption of the communication by
the enemy.
" A small stock of provisions had been kept on hand for
the use of the marines who were in the trenches. When
preparations were making for the evacuation, this was dis-

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 23.3
tributed in equal quantities among the families of the
officers that were obliged to remain behind, and who would
otherwise have been destitute. The understanding was that
they were to be held subject to the order of the quarter
master of the marines, and not to be used until the enemy
had entered the city. In the latter case, the officers were
to be accountable to the Secretary of the Navy for their
value, or return in kind. Eeceipts were taken for the same
by the navy store-keeper. Four families received the benfiet
of this arrangement, of which my own was one. The ap
portionment consisted of one barrel of flour, two of bread,
and one of beef.
"The ordnance stores sent to Thomasville consisted of
all the powder and shells on the station, and the pivot gun
of the captured steamer Water-Witch. I do not know the
quantity of the powder and shells, but Lieutenant Oliver's
last report to the ordnance officer will inform you.
"I am, sir, respectfully,
"Your obedient servant,
"Josiah Tattnall,
" Captain Confederate States Navy."
" Captain S. S. Lee,
" Confederate States Navy,
"In charge of Bureau of Orders and Detail."
Commodore Tattnall was among the last to leave Savan
nah when she passed into the possession of General Sher
man's advancing columns. In company with two others,
in an open boat, he pulled down the river to Screven's
ferry, and there went on board the iron-clad Savannah, —
Commander Brent. Landing from the vessel just previous
to her destruction, he marched to Hardeeville where the
retreating Confederates were ordered to concentrate. Thence

234 the life and services of
he proceeded to Charleston, and, after communicating with
the Government at Eichmond, went to Augusta, Georgia,
where he remained awaiting orders until the surrender of
General Joseph E. Johnston.
On the 9th of May, 1865, he was regularly paroled as
a prisoner of war, and shortly afterwards returned to
Savannah. There he remained until late in the spring of 1866.
During this period he was frequently consulted by officers
of the army and navy, and by citizens, as to the course
they had best pursue in view of the President's proclama
tions and the unsettled condition of affairs. Learning that
General Lee had applied for a pardon, and desiring the
opinion of that pure and noble man and great Captain,
he addressed him the following communication :
"Savannah, Ga., 23d August, 1865.
" General :
"I am a paroled prisoner of war under the capitulation
of General Joseph E. Johnston.
"I am, occasionally, consulted by junior officers of the
navy as to the proper course to be adopted in the present
crisis, and have advised those, who are priviledged, to frankly
accept the President's amnesty, and to take the oath of
allegiance in good faith. I, however, and others, specially
debarred the benefit of the amnesty, are placed on a differ
ent footing, and, as I understand it, are required to apply
for pardon or clemency, two words which imply a crime
committed. Now, when in due course of law it shall be
decided that the South has committed treason, I shall
readily acknowledge the validity of the decision and make
all honorable amends in my power ; but, until then, I have

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 235
thought it due to my self respect not to acknowledge the
authority of any man, however exalted (meaning the Presi
dent), or of any body of men, however august (meaning
the Congress), to denounce me as a traitor.
"There is, however, another consideration, stronger than
a personal one, which has hitherto been an insurmountable
obstacle to my becoming an applicant for pardon. Although
I disapproved entirely of secession, and had to give evidence
to that effect before a jury at Savannah a year after the
commencement of the war, still, as I accepted a commission
signed by President Davis, I considered it, and still consider
it my duty to support him as my commander-in-chief and
the exponent of the political principles of the Southern
Confederacy. He is, it seems, to be tried for treason, and
I cannot consent to take a ste,p, for my personal benefit,
which may jeopard his safety. To apply for pardon is to
acknowledge treason, and this acknowledgment by the
leading political men and the senior officers of the army
and navy of the Confederacy, in advance of his trial, may
seriously influence the jury, and seems to me equivalent
to -turning States evidence against him.
"I know but little of Mr. Davis personally, having met
him but thrice, and each time but for a few minutes. I
should not, I think, be likely to recognize him on the streets.
I am influenced solely by the considerations I have stated.
"I have taken the liberty to address you in consequence
of a statement in a New York paper (the National) that
you had applied for a pardon, but 'had made no abject
submission, but had accompanied the petition for pardon
with a full statement of those things which had made his
(your) past conduct seem right and proper, and had avowed
his (your) unchanging devotion to his (your) former prin-

236 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
ciples.' In view of the politics of the paper in which
this was published, I discredited it, but from a letter of
General Wade Hampton, recently published, I am led to
think there may be some truth in it.
"I am induced, therefore, to hope that you have happily
suggested a course which removes the obstacles from
my path; and feeling assured that a step which you have
taken must be honorable and a fitting example, I beg that
you will, at your leisure, favor me with your views on the
subject for the benefit of myself and those who consult me.
"I am out of the word here, and have no one with whom
I can interchange views, and while tenacious on a point
of honoi and official propriety, I do not wish to appear so
in regard to mere forms or trifles.
"I am, General,
"Very respectfully and truly yours,
"Josiah Tattnall."
" General E. E. Lee,
"Cartersville, Virginia."
The following is General Lee's reply :
"Near Cartersville, Va., 7th Sept., 1865.
"Sir: I have received your letter of the 23d ultimo,
and in reply will state the course I have pursued, under
circumstances similar to your own, and will leave you to
judge of its propriety. Like yourself, I have, since the
cessation of hostilities, advised all with whom I have con
versed on the subject, who come within the terms of the
President's proclamations, to take the oath of allegiance
and accept in good faith the amnesty offered. But I have
gone farther, and have recommended to those who were

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 237
excluded from their benefits, to make application, under
the proviso of the proclamation of the 29th May, to be em
braced in its provisions.
"Both classes, in order to be restored to their former
rights and privileges, were required to perform a certain
act, and I do not see that an acknowledgment of guilt is
expressed in one more than the other.
"The war being at an end, the Southern States having
laid down their arms, and the questions at issue between
them and the Northern States having been decided, 1 be
lieved it to be the duty of every one to unite in the restora
tion of the country and the reestablishment of peace and
harmony. These considerations governed me in counsels
I gave to others, and induced me, on the 13th of June, to
make application to be included in the terms of the amnesty
proclamation. I have not received an answer, and cannot
inform you what has been the decision of the President.
But whatever that may be, I do not see how the course I
have recommended and practised can prove detrimental
to the former President of the Confederate States. It
appears to me that the allayment of passion, the dissipa
tion of prejudice, and the restoration of reason, will alone
enable the people of the country to acquire a true knowl
edge, and form a correct judgment of the events of the
past^fonr years. It will, I think, then be admitted that Mr.
Davis has done nothing more than all the citizens of the
Southern States, and should not be held accountable for
acts performed by them in the exercise of what had been
considered their unquestionable right. I have too exalted
an opinion of the American people to believe that they
will consent to injustice ; and it is only necessary, in my
opinion, that truth should be known, for the rights of every

238 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
one to be secured. I know of no surer way of eliciting
the truth than by burying contention with the war.
"I enclose a copy of my letter to President Johnson,
and feel assured that however imperfectly I may have given
you my views on the subject of your letter, your own high
sense of honor and right will lead you to a satisfactory
conclusion as to the proper course to be pursued in your
own case. With great respect and esteem,
" I am your most obedient servant,
"E. E. Lee."
" Captain Josiah Tattnall,
"Savannah, Georgia."
Finding the cost of fiving in Savannah beyond his means,
and a residence there in the unsettled condition of affairs
proving in some respects unpleasant, — especially to the
ladies of his family, — he resolved to seek a domicile in the
Province of Nova Scotia. Careful to take no step which
by any possibility could be construed into an unauthorized
enlargement of his parole, he first applied to the War De
partment for leave to make this change of habitation. On
the 12th of June, 1866, formal permission was granted,
and for the ensuing four years the Commodore and his
family resided near Halifax. Although living in quietude
and frugality, he was the recipient of constant and marked
attentions from the prominent citizens of and visitors to
that place. His pecuniary resources being well nigh ex
hausted, committing his family to the care of his surviving
and beloved son, he returned to Savannah to seek employ
ment. It was a brave sight, — this noble old man, bent
with age and infirmities, but with eye still flashing with
its wonted fires, and with spirit undaunted, in quest of

COMMODORE JOStAfl TATTNALL. 239
honorable labor in the home of his youth ! Although
treading upon the verge of the longest period allotted to
human life, he could not put the harness from him.
On the 5th of January, 1870, the Mayor and City Council
of Savannah created for him the office of Inspector of the
Port of Savannah, with a salary of twelve hundred dollars
per annum. This position he held for seventeen months,
when it was vacated by his lamented demise. Of this office
he was the only incumbent. For him was it called into
being, and with him it expired.

32

CHAPTEE EIGHTEENTH.

Death. • Resolutions of the City Council of Savannah. Committee of
arrangements, and pall-bearers. Order of arrangements for the obse
quies. Ceremonies observed. Burial. Public tributes. Closing
hours. Captain Whittle's sketch of Commodore Tattnall.
Commodore Tattnall died in the city of Savannah on the
14th of June, 1871. The immediate cause of his death was
general debility, complicated by a congestion of the brain.
For some months he had been in failing health.
Upon the announcement of his demise a general gloom
settled upon the community. All vessels in the harbor
displayed their flags at half mast. The City Council con
vened to give expression to the public grief and make suita
ble arrangements for the funeral of the honored dead.
At that meeting the following preamble and resolutions
were unanimously adopted :
"Our venerable and distinguished fellow-citizen, Josiah
Tattnall, has just terminated a long life marked by the most
exalted virtues. Though in the course > of nature his days
could not have been much prolonged, the intelligence of
his death is received by the City Council of Savannah with
that emotion which always attends the loss of such eminent
examples of public and private worth. It is meet that in
this, the city of his nativity, and among those to whom his
name and fame are dearest, peculiar honors should be paid
to his memory : therefore be it
"Resolved, That this Council does hereby vote a public
funeral to the late Commodore Josiah Tattnall, to be con
ducted under the direction of a committee of Aldermen
and citizens.

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 241
"Resolved, That this body, with its officers, attend the
funeral, and that the citizens generally be requested also
to attend.
¦"Resolved, That the city offices be closed, and that the
citizens be requested to close their places of business, so
far as practicable, on the day of the obsequies.
"Resolved, That the Council Chamber and the staves of
the Police Court be draped in mourning during the space
of thirty days."
Upon motion, the following committee of arrangements
was appointed by his Honor, Mayor John Screven :
" Aldermen. — Jno. O. Ferrill, Chairman ; E. C. Anderson,
Jr., E. H. Footman, John T. Eonan, A. Haywood.
" Citizens. — Colonel E. C. Anderson, Chairman ; Geo. L.
Cope, Colonel J. S. Claghorn, E. N. Gourdin, Major W. H.
Wiltberger, L. J. Guilmartin, Major J. F. Wheaton, Hon.
E. D. Arnold, Dr. J. B. Eead, George S. Owens, Hon. E. T.
Gibson, J. H. Estill, J. E. Sneed, E. L. Beard, Colonel W-
E. Symons,. Colonel J. F. Waring, Colonel C. H. Olmstead,
A. F. Butler, General G. P. Harrison, Colonel E. A. Wayne,
Colonel E. J. Davant, Jr., Colonel Charlton H. Way, John
Stoddard, Major George W. Anderson, Jr., Major Henry
Bryan, Major A. L. Hartridge, Wm. Hunter, Wm. Neyle
Habersham, J. W. Lathrop, Colonel Wm. M. Wadley, Hon.
Wm. Schley, Wm. Duncan, Charles Green, John L. Villa-
longa, E. A. Soullard, Hon. Julian Hartridge, Hon. Solomon
Cohen, John McMahon, Geo. C. Freeman, A. A. Solomons,
Major C. A. Withers, Major John Lama, Major P. H. Behn,
Hon. Wm. B. Fleming, G. B. Lamar, Jr., Aug. P. Wetter,
John E. Wilder, Wm. B. Hodgson, W. C. O'Driscoll.
" General Officers. — Generals J. E. Johnston, Henry C.
Wayne, J. F. Gilmer, A. E. Lawton, H. E. Jackson, Mans-

242 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
field Lovell, E. H. Anderson, G. M. Sorrel, W. W. Kirkland,
J. J. Dickinson, Joseph Finegan.
"Naval Officers. — Colonel Edward C. Anderson, Captain
J. S. Kennard, Lieutenant Julian Myers, Lieutenant E. M.
Anderson, Dr. Thomas M. Charlton, Midshipman H. T.
Minor, Midshipman Gilbert C. Wilkins.
"Consular.— Hon. Wm. Tasker Smith, H. B. M. Consul."
The following gentlemen were requested by the family to
act as pall-bearers:
General Joseph E. Johnston, General A. E. Lawton,
Lyde Goodwin, Wm. H. Bulloch, Captain J. S. Kennard,
Captain J. Eutledge, Lieutenant Julian Myers, Lieutenant
E. M. Anderson, Midshipman H. T. Minor, Midshipman G.
A. Wilkins, Paymaster P. M. DeLeon, Alderman E. C. An
derson, Jr., Alderman W. S. Basinger, Wm. M. Sneed.
This order of arrangements for the obsequies was agreed
upon and announced :
"The procession will be formed in the following order,
at 4 o'clock p. m., on Congress street, under command of
General E. H. Anderson, the right resting in front of the
northern entrance to the Screven House, the line facing
north :
"1. The Washington Cornet Band.
" 2. The police force of the city.
"3. The officiating clergy.
"4. Hearse and Pall-bearers — General J. E. Johnston,
General A. E. Lawton, Lyde Goodwin, Wm. H. Bulloch,
Captain J. S. Kennard, Captain J. Eutledge, Lieutenant E.
M. Anderson, Lieutenant Julian Myers, Midshipman W. M.
Sneed, Midshipman H. T. Minor, Midshipman G. A. Wilkins,
Paymaster P. M. DeLeon, Alderman E. C. Anderson, Jr.,
Alderman W. S. Basinger.

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 243
" 5. The family and relatives of deceased.
"6. The Eeverend Clergy of all demoninations.
"7. Naval officers.
"8. Savannah Volunteer Guards.
" 9. Officers, soldiers, and seamen of the late Confederate
army and navy.
" 10. The Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah,
together with the city officers.
"11. Foreign Consuls.
" 12. Members of the Press.
" 13. Various societies of the city.
"14. Citizens at large.
" 15. Officers and crews of vessels in port.
"16. The Fire Companies in uniforn, without engines and
apparatus, under direction of officers of the department.
" Captains of vessels in port are requested to display their
colors at half-mast during the day.
" The exchange bell, and the bells of the different churches
will be tolled from half-past 3 p. m. to 5 o'clock p. m.
" The Mayor and Aldermen, together with the Committee
of Arrangements, will convene at the Mayor's office at 3 p. m.
"The Eeverend Clergy of all denominations are respect
fully invited to unite in the procession, occupying the posi
tion assigned them.
"John O. Ferrill,
" Chairman Committee of Council.
"Edward C. Anderson,
"Chairman Committee of Citizens."
"James Stewart, Secretary."
The funeral of the late Commodore Tattnall was solem
nized on the afternoon of the 16th of June, 1871. A larger
or more imposing ceremony, of that mournful character, the

244 THE LIFE and services of
city never witnessed. Of the entire population there
was a general outpouring to pay the last tribute of respect
to the memory of the dead hero.
From one of the city papers of the ensuing day we ex
tract this account of the ceremonies obser \ ed on that '
occasion :
" The funeral of the late Commodore Tattnall took place
yesterday afternoon from Christ Church. It was one of
the largest that has ever taken place in our city.
"According to previous arrangements the committee of
Aldermen and citizens assembled at the Exchange, and
marched to the residence of Mrs. Kollock, corner of South
Broad and Barnard streets; where the corpse lay, and es
corted it to the Church, at which a large concourse of people
had assembled; the police force and Sabre Club, under
the command of General E. H. Anderson, drawn up in line
on Congress street, saluting as the corpse passed into the
Church, and the Washington Cornet Band playing a solemn
dirge ; the choir inside the Church also chanting a requiem.
"The Bishop and Clergy of the Episcopal Church met
the pall-bearers at the door and preceded them down the
aisle slowly, Bishop Beckwith repeating the service of the
Church in a very solemn and impressive manner. The
body was then deposited in the Chancel, and the Eeverend
Samuel Benedict read the funeral services. Bishop Beck
with then proceeded to address the audience upon the
life and deeds of the dead hero who lay coffined before
him, and whose many friends and admirers were there to
pay a last tribute of respect to his memory. He said that
it was with much reluctance that he had complied with
the reque'st of the City Council in attempting to perform

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 245
the task which was required of him, and proceeded then,
in a few very eloquent remarks, to portray the gallant deeds
of the great man who had gone to his rest, describing in
the most graphic and interesting manner the many events
of the life of the Midshipman of 1812, and of the succeed
ing periods of his life upon the waters of the different
hemispheres and under almost every sun; not failing to
refer to the noble act of intercession in Chinese waters, by
which he saved the honor of England's flag, saying at the
time that ' human blood was thicker than water.' But, said
the Bishop, this is not a theme for the Bishop of the
Church, before whom is brought all that is mortal of one
of her children. These are subjects for the orator and the
historian. He felt that his duty was to speak of other sub
jects in connection with the life of Commodore Tattnall;
and he then described in most beautiful and touching
language the simple and childlike later fife of the old hero,
and his calm and resigned manner at the announcement
by his physician that his departure for another world was
near, saying to his pastor that he was glad of it.
"To give a synopsis even of the very impressive and
eloquent discourse of Dr. Beckwith, would be impossible. In
concluding, the distinguished divine said that after a long life
and one marked by sucfi eventful scenes he was to be liter
ally brought back to the very spot upon which he had first
commenced his existence ; the grand old oaks that witnessed
his childhood's days were still waiting to welcome him
back to rest beneath the shadow of their spreading arches.
These closing remarks were clothed in language unsurpassed
in beauty, and the picture, drawn as with the pencil of the
most graphic artist, was perfect, simple, natural, and beauti
ful. It seemed as though the battle-scarred veteran was

246 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
truly returning to a home and loving friends who waited
to welcome him.
"The services over, the pall-bearers took up the coffin,
and, the long procession having moved out of the Church,
entered the carriages, buggies, and other vehicles provided
for their accommodation. The line then moved down Dray
ton street to South Broad, thence to East Broad, and on the
Thunderbolt road. "THE FUNERAL CORTEGE.
"The procession moved from the Church, under the com
mand of the General Marshal, in the following order :
" Savannah Sabre Club.
"Metropolitan detachment of Artillery, under command
of Captain Thos. A. Maddox.
" Citizens on horseback.
"General Marshal, Aids, and Orderlies.
"Washington Cornet Band.
"Savannah Police Force.
"Savannah Volunteer Guards in citizens' dress.
"Carriages with the officiating Clergymen.
" Hearse.
" Carriages with Pall-bearers.
"Carriages with the late Commodore's family.
"Carriages with Mayor and Aldermen, committee, and
citizens. " Buggies.
" At the toll-gate, General Anderson's force and a portion
of the detachment of those old veterans, the Savannah
Volunteer Guards, of which the deceased had been an
honored member for upwards of half a century, were dis
missed, and the solemn cavalcade proceeded onward to the
place of interment. Many persons on foot followed the

Commodore josiah Tattnall. 247
cortege. Arriving at Bonaventure, the procession slowly
moved up the northern avenue — the mossy branches form
ing a majestic arch over the remains of the departed hero
and those who were moving on to see his beloved form con
signed to the tomb where his honored ancestry lay.
"at the tomb.
" The place of burial was the family lot of the Tattnalls,
where, for more than a century and a quarter, the ancestors
of the lamented dead had found a resting place. In the
enclosure is a monument erected to their first Captain,
Edward Fenwick Tattnall, a brother of the deceased, by
the Savannah Volunteer Guards. A large slab marks the
place where rest the remains of Commodore Tattnall's father
and mother, and a brother and a sister, all buried in one
grave. A grave opened at the side of the latter received
all that was mortal of the deceased.
"The casket was carried by the pall-bearers into the
enclosure, when the Eeverend Samuel Benedict and the
Eeverend J. M. Mitchell read the beautiful burial service
of the Episcopal Church over the remains, which were
then lowered into their last earthly home. The assembly
here sung the hymn, 'Nearer my God, to Thee,' at the
conclusion of which the grave was filled up. The Savannah
Sabre Club took a position, at the commencement of the
services, east of the enclosure, and presented sabres. The
Metropolitan detachment, under the command of Captain
T. A. Maddox, in charge of the artillery, then fired a Com
modore's salute of thirteen guns.
"After the salute was fired, the vast multitude slowly
retired from the cemetery, leaving the old hero to rest
beneath the trees under which he had played in boyhood,
33

248 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
and by the side of those of his kindred who had gone before.
May the noble live oaks which were planted in Bonaventure
to commemorate the marriage of the first of his name
upon the soil of Georgia, chant a perpetual requiem over
his grave."
Thus did the city of Savannah pay the highest funeral
honors to her illustrious son. Aside from tributes of re
spect submitted by the societies and associations of which
the Commodore was a member, the daily journals were
made the mediums of conveying to the public not a few
expressions of individual reverence and admiration for the
deceased. Let this serve as an example :
[From the Savannah Eepublican.]
"Although it has been evident for some time past that
the physical vigor of this noble veteran was fast failing,
and that nature must soon succumb to the immutable
decree, yet his friends were unwilling to anticipate his death
as so near. The thought was put aside when it intruded
itself, and all hoped that his inherent strength of constitu
tion would save him to us much longer. So that when it
was announced on Wednesday night that 'Commodore Tatt
nall was dead,' a sudden pang shocked the entire heart of
this community. It was like the fall of one of the mighty
oaks of Bonaventure in the midnight stillness of the forest.
Seldom has such genuine and universal sorrow been evoked
by the death of one of such ripe years, so many of whose
contemporaries, — who knew and loved him well, — have
passed away. The sad truth is before us, 'Tattnall is dead.'
The heart that never throbbed with an ignoble or ungen
erous impulse has ceased to beat. The spirit that never
conceived, the tongue that never uttered an unworthy sen-

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 249
timent, and the hand that never did an unmanly action
are of this world no longer. His venerable form, stately
though bent, dignified, though ruined, disappears hence
forth from among us. We shall miss him with his genial
smile, his friendly hand-grasp ; the light of intelligence
and benevolence that beamed from his expressive counte
nance ; the instruction of his social conversation, enriched
by so much thought and study and accurate observation.
But he leaves something of precious value behind him after
death. The noble example which the daily beauty of his
life presented for more than half a century of toil, and
care and responsibility, manifests to the youth of his country
a guiding star to light them safely in the path of genius
and nature's ambition. Few men can present at the close
of such an extended life as Tattnall's, in such posts of
honor and trust as he held, so pure and noble a record.
This is a tribute of affection to Tattnall, and not intended
as a record of the great acts of his life. His deeds have
helped to make up some of the grandest parts of the history
of his country. History must record them. None but a
historian should do so. His private life is bound up in the
hearts of his friends. His public life is a glorious and
brilliant part of the warp and woof of the canvas in which
history has woven the story of his country's glory. He
was the Bayard of the South, — sans peur et sans reproche.
He was the Douglas of the South, ever 'tender and true,'
and like the 'Douglas,' he was in later years entitled to
the cognomen of the 'Bleeding Heart,' for his noble heart
bled itself unto death for the woes and the wrongs of his
own country. His remains will repose in the ancestral acres
of Bonaventure, by the side of his chivalrous brother. He
will sleep under the shade of those immemorial oaks,

250 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
planted by his remote progenitors. These noble old trees,
renowned so long for natural beauty, will acquire hence
forth a new significance and a richer glory. Spared by the
storms, — saved by holy dedication from human desecra
tion, — cherished and cultured by the rains and the dews
of Heaven, they shall now fulfill their destiny, when with
new dignity and glory and majesty they shall stand the
faithful, unswerving, watchful sentinels who guard all the
approaches to the tomb of Tattnall. No grander requiem
has ever been sounded than that which the Southern winds
shall breathe to his memory through the pendant mosses
upon their limbs. Tattnall's tomb will henceforth be a
place of pilgrimage. ¦' ' Such graves as his are pilgrim shrines —
Shrines to no code or creed confined.
The Delphian vales, the Palestines,
The Meccas of the mind.' "
"June 15, 1871." "H. W."
The conduct of Commodore Tattnall during the closing
hours of his life was in harmony with that calm heroism
and self-possession which characterized him under all cir
cumstances. Early in 1871 his strength began to fail. He
grew weaker each day until the inception of the final illness
which bore him away. Under all his pain and feebleness
he manifested uniform patience. His spirits and cheerful
ness he preserved to a wonderful degree. When, on the
9th of June, he was informed by his attending physicians
that his attack would prove fatal, his response was, "I am
glad of it." This intelligence exerted no depressing influ
ence upon him. Sending for his wife and daughters, calmly,
and with his own lips, he announced to them the fact of
his approaching dissolution. For his absent son and
daughter he charged them with messages of love.

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 251
To the clergyman who was kindly offering the ministra
tions and consolations of religion he said, "Yes, I have
reached the river Styx, and I think I have the penny."
Expressing a firm conviction of the truth of Christianity*
he received from his hands the Holy Communion, and de
clared his faith in the merits of a risen Saviour.
Of the members of his family and friends then present
he took leave with a smile. This done, dismissing all cares
from his mind, he called his devoted friend, Dr. Charlton, —
who had served with him in the United States Navy and
also in the Navy of the Confederate States, — and requested
him to inject morphine in his arm and to keep him under
its influence until death should supervene. This wish was
observed, and the old hero, — all pain subdued and life's
battle over, — passed into the world of spirits as gently as
an infant falling on sleep.
~We. conclude this sketch with a portrait of Commodore
Tattnall painted by a brother officer who knew him well
and served with and under him in his prime, — the late
Captain William C. Whittle.
"In person, Commodore Tattnall was about five feet
ten and a half or eleven inches in height, and possessed a
frame and figure indicative of great strength, activity, and
endurance. His arms were long, which made him formid
able with the sword, in the use of which, — and especially
of the cutlass, — he was very expert. A superior shot with
the pistol and rifle, he was fond of field sports and manly
exercises. His face and head were on a grand scale. His
features were massive, and when at rest their expression
was grave, thoughtful, and occasionally abstracted ; but
without austerity or severity. His eyes were blue, large,
and very expressive, and in moments of excitement blazed

252 THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
with fire and animation. His countenance was singularly at
tractive and benevolent in its habitual expression, and there
was a charm in his smile which it would be impossible to
describe. "Devoting little thought to the mere externals of dress,
there was in his appearance the unmistakable look of the
gentleman, with the careless, unstudied air of the seaman.
In him the elements of the highest type of both were ad
mirably blended and adjusted. In a word he was the sub
lime of 'Jack Tar.'
"Unselfish, benevolent, and preeminently cfiaritable and
generous, malice and envy were unknown to the noble
heart of my friend. Sensitively alive to the slightest
shadow which even seemed to approach his own pure and
unsullied honor, he was extremely delicate in his apprecia
tion of the feelings of others. His heart was as tender as
that of the gentlest woman, with an abundant treasure of
sympathy for the distressed and the unfortunate. No man
ever appreciated more justly, or acknowledged more readily,
professional merit in another. <
"His education, — the foundation of which was laid in
a grammar-school in old England,— -was thorough and clas
sical so far as it went. This was proved by the style of
his conversation, by the language in which he clothed his
thoughts, and by his taste in reading. It was further ex
emplified by the character of the authors with whose works
he filled his shelves on board ship.
" His conversational powers were very superior. In truth,
his equal as a conversationalist I have rarely met with,
and in the navy never except in the person of that dis
tinguished officer, the late Commodore Crane.
" His familiar talk with his friends, — adorned by anecdote,

commodore josiah tattnall. 253
and a remarkable felicity of illustration, enlivened by humor,
and sparkling with wit, — was genial and charming in the
extreme. With an overflowing spirit of kindliness at the
helm, neither severity nor sarcasm ever entered there.
"He was devoted to his profession with an ardor and
enthusiasm never surpassed. There never was a moment
in his existence when he would have hesitated an instant
to sacrifice his life on the altar of professional duty.
" It was a habit with him, — at least during his cruise, as
a commanding officer, in the Mediterranean, — in the earlier
watches of the night, attended by the friend who offers
this meagre tribute to the memory of the heroic dead, to
retire to the after cabin of his ship and discuss professional
questions under supposed circumstances of difficulty and
danger in which a ship-of-war might be placed, so that
scarcely a contingency could arise, in professional expe
rience, which could take him by surprise, or in which he
was not prepared to act at once under the intelligent
dictates of a previously well-considered determination.
"In after years, when in command of the United States
ship Saratoga, he found himself, when only just out of the
harbor of Portsmouth, in a most perilous position. The
means of escape (not so apparent to a man of less judg
ment and decision) had been previously debated and de
cided on during our discussions in the Mediterranean. The
decision then arrived at and adopted occurred to him at
once and determined his course. No man that trod a deck
ever came to a decision more promptly than he, or forced
its execution through all opposing circumstances with more
energy and resolution.
"On the night of which I speak he unhappily found
himself on a lee-shore, in a heavy sea, during a terrifkj

254 THfi LfEE AND SERVICE'S OF"
gale, in shoal water which every moment was becoming
shoaler. It was snowing heavily at the time, and the pilot
on board had either lost or mistaken his lights. To have
anchored the ship as she was, would have ensured her de
struction and the loss of her noble crew. To 'claw off'
had proved impossible, as he had pressed the gallant ship
with canvass in the vain effort to work off until he had
brought the lee-hammock-rail to the water. Something
must be done and done promptly, or all would be lost. He
did not hesitate a moment as to the only course left him,
full as it was of the greatest hazard and difficulty in the
execution, as every seaman will at once comprehend.
"Bending all his cables, clearing away every anchor, he
determined to cut away his masts and to anchor. Having
made the necessary preparations, and called the trustiest
seamen of his crew around him in his cabin, he assigned
to each his particular station and duty in the magnificent
effort of seamanship which he had determined to attempt.
"Sending each to his station with, a cheering word of
confidence and encouragement which he knew so well how
to speak, he repaired to the deck, of which he assumed
the command, sent his officers to their different stations,
and calmly awaited the favorable moment for the execution
of his grand conception. That moment came and passed,
but it did not pass unimproved ; for, bringing the ship in
the wind as rapidly as the heavily rolling sea on his bow
would permit, he gave the order to cut. The masts went
over to leeward, the anchors were let go, chains were veered,
the ship brought up, and without the slightest accident or
confusion on that crowded deck they were saved.
" I have thus attempted in my poor way to convey some
idea of my appreciation of his great character. Let it be

COMMODORE JOSIAH TATTNALL. 255
remembered that except in early boyhood, at the close of
the war with England, when he entered the navy of the
United States, and in the war with Mexico which had no
navy, opportunities for early training in combats with an
enemy, and for gaining that experience and distinction
which are acquired and won in the face of an enemy, were
wanting to him. Had they been present with him as with
Nelson, he would have been his equal. With a genius as
great, with aspirations as lofty as those which inspired
England's immortal son, his moral tone was incomparably
purer and more exalted. He only wanted what Decatur
called opportunity to have inscribed his name high up
amongst those of the great naval men of the world.
" His perception was like the lightning's flash. The exe
cution followed and with a force sufficient to overcome the
resistance to be encountered. This rapidity of thought and
action gave to his conduct, at times, in the estimation of
more sluggish and less resolute characters, an appearance
of rashness.
"There was not one particle of self-assertion in his com
position. He was singularly modest and unassuming in
his ordinary intercourse with society, and utterly free from
everything like vanity or egotism.
"The point of honor was the pivot around which the
elements of his chivalric character revolved, and from which
there was no deviation.
"With a mind to conceive the boldest designs, and a
courage which never blanched or hesitated in their exe
cution, it may be said, without figure, of this Bayard of
the seas, he was sans pew et sans reproche."

34

APPENDIX. London, July 27th, 1726.
To Eoger Fenwick, Esquire,
Little Isle, near Skibbereen,
¦ County Cork, Ireland :
Sir : I was agreeably surprised at the receipt of your
obliging letter dated the 17th of last month, which came to
my hands the 13th of this month, especially since you were
so kind to write it upon your hearing of my abode and
name. You were pleased to acquaint me that the original
of your family's settlement in Ireland was by your grand
father, Ealph Fenwick, who went into that Kingdom an
officer in Cromwell's army, and that your father, Charles
Fenwick, died soon after the revolution, leaving you a good
estate, which I pray God may long continue in your family
and name. And as you desire me to give you an account
of our name and family, to which you say you are an entire
stranger, I perceive you have never been in England your
self, and therefore I shall obey your commands in it, in the
best and truest manner I can, as follows : The name of
Fenwick is one of the most ancient names at this time in
England, for it has been an eminent gentleman's family in
the county of Northumberland ever since the time of our
Saxon Kings, long before William the Conqueror's time,
and the chief of the family lived from that time for several
ages after at a place called Fenwick Tower, about ten or
twelve miles from New Castle, higher up the river Tyne,
and afterwards the posterity of that family removed from
thence to another fine seat, (belonging to their estate),

2 APPENDIX.
called Wallington, which lies about seven miles north from
the old Fenwick Tower, for which reason Fenwick Tower
soon fell into decay, and there is now nothing of it but
some small remains of the old ruins. The removal of the
family from Fenwick Tower to Wallington was (I think)
about the time of the reign of King Edward the III, where
they flourished in a very eminent manner, possessed of a
very large estate for several ages more, when the name
began to branch out into several other families who were
younger brothers to the House of Wallington, and they
also were possessed of good estates ; and the chief of these
younger families was the House of Stanton, a seat about
three miles from a place called Morporth, in Northum
berland, and this family of Stanton was established, and
separated from the Wallington family in tfie reign of King
Harry the IV, and where they remain to this day, and is
now the first family of the name, because the Wallington
family became extinct at the death of Sir John Fenwick, —
Baronet, — who was beheaded in the beginning of the year
1696, soon after the revolution, he being then accused of
treasonable practices against King William in favor of the
abdicated King James ; and this Sir John Fenwick, three or
four years before his death, sold all the estate and posses
sions that belonged to him, and which had been in his name
and family near (1,000) one thousand years before, and he
sent all the money that he received for it to King James
into France, —so much was he begotted to the interest of
that King and his party, to the ruin of himself and family.
Thus far will serve to inform you of the origin and a general
account of our name and family; therefore now I shall
confine the remaining part of this letter to a more particular
information of the Stanton family, from whence I am and

APPENDIX. 6
you also are descended, for doing which I think it will not
be material to tell you the progress of the several gener
ations of father and son from the time of the first settlement
of that family. Therefore, I shall only begin from the
time of my great-grandfather, William Fenwick, who was
born at Stanton the 22d September, 1581, and died at the
same place the 12th July, 1647. He left several children,
but his eldest son (my grandfather) was Edward Fenwick,
born at Stanton 29th October, 1606, and died there the
14th August, 1689 ; and your grandfather (Ealph Fenwick)
was a younger brother of this Edward Fenwick, my grand
father, who had eleven children. His eldest son was Eoger
Fenwick, born at Stanton the 18th March, 1632, but he was
killed at the seige of Dunkirk at an assault in mounting the
breaches at Mardike, 1658 — he being then Colonel of a regi
ment of horse. After this Eoger Fenwick's death, my grand
father's second son, William Fenwick, became his heir, and
married and died soon after, but left a son named Eoger
Fenwick, who inherited the Stanton estate after my grand
father's death. This Eoger Fenwick also married, but died
soon after, leaving a son named John Fenwick, who now in
herits the Stanton estate, and is the first of the name and
family. My father (Eobert Fenwick) was the next son of
my grandfather to William Fenwick above-mentioned ; so
that he being a younger brother had no provision made
for him out of the family estate, but he married a gen
tlewoman of that county by whom he had a considerable
fortune. My father had eight children, and I was his
third son, but my father dying when we were young, we
were all obliged to seek our own fortunes as we grew up.
My eldest brother happened to be killed in a duel soon
after he came to man's estate. My second brother went

APPENDIX.

into the army, a cornet in the horse service in the last
wars, and he also happened to be so much wounded in
the first engagement fie was in, that he died soon after.
I took my fortune another way and went into the East
Indies, where I lived a merchant above eleven years, and
where it pleased God to prosper my endeavors with a
moderate fortune, with which about eight years ago I mar
ried very happily and settled here in London, where I
have lived ever since ; but I have no children of my own
living ; neither are there any of my father's children living
but myself and my youngest brother, John Fenwick, who
went into the West Indies about twenty years ago, and
has acquired a very good estate in South Carolina, where
he now lives in a married state, and has four or five
children. The two eldest of them, a son and a daughter,
are now in England under my care. Thus, sir, I have in
a very full manner given you a large account, as well of
myself as of our name and family, in compliance with your
desire, so far as I could ever get any knowledge of; and
if any part of this relation is not so plain and intelligi
ble to you as I intend it, I will, upon your first notice,
endeavour to do it better. I fear I have made this letter
too long, and that it will be tedious and troublesome to
you, but as I know not how to answer particularly what
you desired of me in less room, so I hope you will excuse
it. I shall be glad to continue a correspondence with you
and to obey any commands wherein you think me capable
of serving you here. My wife joins with me in our sin
cere respects to yourself and lady, so I take leave, for the
present, to subscribe myself, dear sir,
Your very affectionate kinsman,
Edward Fenwick.

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