The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-09-07
M FROM ns Lsadsa Times, August a.
Death or AdsntraI Sir George Cock burn, One
OF the Oldest English Naval Omoers

f'o0h " Ao @sHab oI UcOFk0 NOCkUuEns OuC
OF the Oldest, English Naval ono
Not only the navy and army but the general public
w learn wilh great Iegsi The death OF OF The abIes
and most Distinguished officers that wore The royal
Bart, X. c. b., +. X. s. Admiral Of the Fleet. Major
General OF Marines, and Rear Admiral OF the United
Kingdom. Sir George Cockbura eoniesssaly the
.sWsl Bgion" OF the navy and, like his isrious broth
e. Officer, has lived TO the great age OF ethiytwo Az
lieutenant with latham al Touon captain Of the Me-
leager with tbs immortal Nelson The coast OF Italy,
and carrying Nelson's own broad prnnani in his irg
Mneve. at the capture OF ffigaie and in action
with another he became hero before he was twenty
one years OF age. His name then became associated
with Jerys at The battle OF 81 Vincent and then for the
subsequent five years his course OF continuous
hard lighting and glorious success. Then, as commo
dore, his s,eHes OF battle and victory were ashore
and, flag officer, he became scourge, as his
name became terror 10 The United States. Ii was
Sir George Cockbuns daring achievements that mainly
contributed to the termination OF the American war,
and il he who re- established the naval suprerna-
cy all over the world which hal been too successfully
quesl jned on many occasions by our then atlantic
enemies. 1t was Sir G. Cockburn who was selected 10
take charge OF Napoleon his passage 10 ST. Helena,
had the good fortune be considered gentleman
by the great ex Emperor. He was JUNIOR member OF
the board OF Admiralty early 1918. under the tory
government, in whose political principles he conceded
In 1928 he was reapnointtd, and again, whilst comman-
dern chief in the West ncies, be nominated senior
member Of the Admiralty under Lord De Grey Before
he returned 10 England. however, Sir r. Peel had re-
signed, apd Sir George OF office until the advent
Of Sir r. Peel 10 power in 1871 From That time until
died on the 10Th OF this month, at bennington. in the
81 year Of his age. f. fue 49,
Assuming his command as captain, July IL, 1903 OF
the Phaeon, 49, The subject OF this memoir, alter serving
for some time off Iiayre dc G,ace with squadron OF
gaes under his orders took ont Mr. Merry The BRUSH
proceeded 10 India with the first instalmen al a sum
OF money which ii hal been arranged should be paid
BY the government Of The latter as a compensation for
the losses sustained by The oyass in the rst establish
meDt oil American lnsependl nee.
About November &c. 1911, lie, then commodore, was
selected g ACT as jim commissioner with NJ Syden
ham and Mr. I. Morer, for the purpose OF efec,ing
reconciliation between Spain and her atlantic colo
Mes The scheme, however in consequence Of The mar
minded policy pursued by The Spanish Corez, pro-
wing ahoive The commodore. alter proceeding as lar as
Cadz, returned home. and august IL, 1Sl2) was pro-
noted 10 the rank OF admiral, previously 10 which
he bad been appointed (August lslI colonel Of ma
rines. He soon with his flag in the Marlborough, ~,
again sailed for Cadz, in order 10 the command
OF the British squadron employed in lis defence. bu the
siege having been raised prior 10 his arrival he was or
deed 10 North America, where hosiiies had been re.
Gently declared against Great Britain We have now ar
rived al an era in the history Of The distinguished subject
OF memoir which, for hancy OF achievement mas
rarely been equaed The di-hns exploits. indeed, which
hsva peIpeinaed the OF Cockbun crowd on our al
enton N such rapid succession that, anxious as we are
10 chronicle every al all invested with lnei
ell, fear hat in what yei have TO recount we must
content ourselves with statement oil the chief OF those
gallant performances, which, by enforcing on the enemy
proper respect Tor tie British flag IN the end induced
them TO long for peace.
Arriving The Chesapeake March 3. 1919. the
admiral commenced desuory mode OF warfare ny clear
Dg the James river OF its vessels and carry cOntterna-
ton into the heart Of Virginia He next penetrated 10
The upper part OF Elk river, al the very head Of the Ches
apeake waters landed and partially destroyed the Town
OF Havre de Grace, together with battery and cannon
foundry near the entrance OF The Susquehanna, and pro-
ceedng up the SassaIas river with all the boats Vt his
squadron on May g. succeeded, after routing body Of
about 400 men who had opened on them fire from an
enlTenched position the Two opposite banks Of the
river, in dsr olshing the settlements OF Georgetown and
Fredecksown On Jane 90 he further coopcfated with
Sir Sidney Beckwilb in the attack upon Hampton, and
shiilirg hs flag July 10 the Sccpre. n, assisted in
the OF that month, al the capture OF Ocracoke and
Portsmouth islands. on the coast OF North Carolina pos
s.ssng himself a, The time OF the Anaconda oil 20,
and Alas, Of IL guns lie next, the morning OF July s.
with mere handful OF men, made himself master Of
Kent island in The Chesapeake, 10 which bay alter visit
ing Bermuda, he ultimately returned IN S5 on board the
Albion, II. In Jdly Of the latter year. Rear Admiral
Cockburn the Potomac and ascended that river
ffequeniy landed at The head oil about hive thousand
men and narine--someumes In Maryland on the one
side, and sometimes in Virginia. the oher-and over
running bo,h provinces 10 the distance OF len miles IRON
the waleis edge, destroyed all The military posts and
stores TO be met with IN the whole OF that extensive
range OF country and captured and shipped on several
guns, stores OF ioaaeco four aud other articles but nor
however viii oil irsqueily coming into severe contact
with Tie enemy. tie next proceeded with his hoats ny
the Pduxeut in quest Of powerful h,tls, under The
orders OF Commodore Barney. and a, length, the 22 Il
August, discovered The oil c. OF his search near Plg
Pont but such terror did h- very presence excite, that
The Americans instantly fire 10 their vessels all OF
WHICH, except one, bleW up IN oil eOiu
plan which be had formed. the Rear- Admiral lining
army cf Tour thousand men under MaJlr General Ross
al Marlborough, now advance uroa Washington, the
capital OF the United Safes ITSELF which be hoped 10 take
by coup de maia Resciins Bladensburg the 9th Of
the rame month"; the Brush encountered the enemys ar
my OF about s 900 strong which. although firmly posted,
was attacked and completely routed Thus encouraged
the victorious troops pushed forward without loss OF me
and The evening entered asbinglon The whole
OF that night aud OF The following day devoted 10 the
work OF destruction and by the evening oil the 25h when
the British commenced their retreat public property the
value OF between 900 aud e 900 900 sterling had
been demolished froug every dcIa Of this splendid
ed ability and judgment, and, II 10 needless TO add, oh.
tanned the high enlogium OF Sir Alexander Cochrane and
Major General Ross. Lasdng again on September ~,
near the mouth OF the Patapsco. he Joined next de-
scent on Baltimore, during their prohess advance on
which place the British lost their general and defeated
strong body OF the enemy. After conducting many other
operations on The southern coast OF the United States,
where he kept the inhabitants ia constant state OF
alarm, and occupied The town OF st Mays, the rear
admiral who had been created X c. B., January 1915,
ultimately, being Informed OF the cessation OF hos,i
lier, rciurned TO Splihead, where he arrived May
Hosting his flag subsequently In the Northumberland,
~, commander n-cbief at ST. Helena, and being
selected to convey Napoleon Bon aparue, who bad re-
Gently surrendered himself. 10 that island, Sir George
Cockbnrn. on August 8, sailed from Plymouth, and on
October 10 landed his important charge at the place oil
bis destination. He was superseded, however, IN June,
1915, by SIR Pulteney Malcolm and, returning bone
srsck bis flag in the following August Becoming
vice admiral. August "a, 1919, he Afterwards. with bis
flag in the Vernon, so. and President 81 go nmanded n
ch,ef on the North American and Wesf India station
from December g. 1892 until February, 1896. Since the
latter date he has not been alDai HIS advancement TO
the rank Of full admiral took place January 10, 1897
Sir George Cockburn was nominated e. b with
49, .-t. .-Ik ~.