Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-08-08
Frvr. lAe .N;1ienaI I.selsg-nerr Of .July 81.

The iss Phiisdeiphia papers bring the sad in
teligcnee OF the death of the upright honorable
aud ehivalrous officer, Commodore wrLLIIs
BAISBnissr, Of the United States. For several
years past afflicted by . lingering disease, the
ncws Of his death has caused NOR, main ,bs,
surprize. We h.d been prepared for Il, indeed,
by the accounts of the state OF health in which
he had returned from the Eastern States to Phila-
delpl,ia, With the obvious desire W breathe his
last In that city. We msy be permitted, how
ever, yet to express our sorrow tor event which
has deprived the country Of ono Of les best e,ti-
zrns aud the naval service Of one II ts briyh,es,
ornaments
Commodore BAiNBRrpoE was in his siItieth
year, and might have been spared to us for many
years to come, but for distressing complaints
eostracied in tho service, which snsiy terminated
his valuable life. lie ~as . native of Princeton,
IN New jersey, and WIS born on the 9Th dsy OF
May, iTT@ AZ mn early age he was sppreuticcd
! to the sea service, and behaved 80 well that he
rosc 20 tbs command OF . merchant ship u nine
teen years of age. From that time (l.93) to
| 1906, he commanded merchant ships in the trade
from Phiisdclphia 90 Europe; during which PC
riod Ia the small ship Hope, with four small car
risgc guns aud nine men, he had an engagement
With british schooner Of guns and IS men,
commanded BY sailing master in the navy, and
compelled her TO strike her colors, though the
two countries not being NJ war, he could not take
possession Of her. Ia July, 1873, he unex peet-
edly, and without any application on hs part, re-
command
\ an the rank ct Lieutenant in the Navy. We shall
not pretend TO rreapitulatc has subs-qucnt ser,i-
ces. His capture Nv the grounding ci the frigaie
Philadelphia, under his command, In the hari,or
OF Tripoli, his long imprisonment, his fortitude
and courage under ~, are matter VI history, and
need not he here dveit upon. Let one anecdote
suffice illustrative OF the character Of the de-
ceased Hero: Whilst lac IN captiv ity, aud the
| American Gen. EAroN va, advancing upon Iri-
poll, the Paeha seat word 70 Capt. cambridge,
| IN no doubtful terms, that he had the means,
| which in case Of extremity he should use Of in
Juring the Americans IN the most tender point by
putting his prisoners to dessh, kc.-thus hoping
| tn intimidste the captain and induce him 10 write
either to the CoSnmodore To Mr.. Eaton
Captain BarSnnIDoK's reply WAS, that he and his
officers were in the power of the Paeha, and tina,
he might 10 Nth them M he pleased; that the
United States had many other officers and scamen
and that consequently, they should be no loss &c
the country. IL may readily be conceived that
after this reply, he was importuned no farther.
J The event Of his life, however, which has mos
famiiiarized our readers TO his name, his gal.
4 liant achievement Of the capture Of the Fries,s
Java, on the c9th Decerber, 1919, being the third
OF those victories which established the eharac-
ter Of the American Navy. The actiln Was
severe one, and among our wounded wss the
Commodore himself. The generosity of the
| victor to the vanquished covered him with n,
much glory his vaior in battle; and for hi.
honorable courtesy on that occasion the gratitude
OF the prisoners was expressed in the most feel
! ing manner.
! Since the conclusion Of the war, Commodore r.
4 had commanded with great reputation aud popu-
larity 20 several Naval Stations, and for several
wears filled the situation Of Commi ssoncr OF the
4 Navy Board. Every where beloved and es.
teemed, he was no less so here than elsewhere.
Tie commanded the respect and esteem of all who
knew him, and formed friendships which nothing
! but relentless death could have severed.
The name OF Bainbridgc, now added 10 thos,
| OF Decatur, Perry, and Mso.ionoash, win Ion,
be held in grateful aud Affrc,onate remembrance
not merely by their surviving associates in ths
peris and glories OF the service which they adorn
ed and elevated, but by the whole country, o.
which they were true citizens and thful