The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-29


Commodore Charles Norris Of the United States Eavv
dsd IN the city Of washagton, January 81, and as the
uns ef hh eeath was over seventy years Of -. Al
though citizen Of the State Of New York. he Was born
N Conneetout whore he resided whsa he rsesivsd his
sppontnsnt in the navy which he entered the 1s. o.
July, 1882 His whole term Of service embraced period
d hfysix years and six months Of which tweatyons
years and two months spent ct sea, and the re-
msinder ON shore otaer duty From the time he rs
entered the navy till has deceass he was only
two years, showieg unusually long term Of active
vice. The last oface he filed Chief Of the Ord
nance Bureau, and by the action of the Nsya
Board, or Council of Fifteen. which farlougaed
Commodore Stewart he became the genor captain in the
American navy 1t may be mentioned hero that BY his
death Commodore shubrck who ofacisted As President
OF tho Council elevated to the post OF seniority.
Commodore Morris was one Of tho gaians mdshipmen
OF the Constitution, who board the Intrepid In
pany with Lieutenant Decatur, wers engaged in the
perous enterprise Of the destruction Of tho Philadelphia
In tbs harbor of rpoh He the rst that eaped on
the deck Of that vessel and reseived well ered praise
for the active part he took that memorable occasion
He also distinguished himself In the same war BY the
capture Of . small French privatser, ~ she was
coming out Of the harbor. For his bravery on
both these occasions he was promoted to the rank
cf Lieutenant but 1t tho occasion Of tho despe.
Tisrs that he distinguished hnseh conspicuousIy
With his hands no endssvozed to lash both ships
together, and exhibited daring In tho midst Of the
deadly conflict that could not be surpassed. Unfortu-
natey, however, he shot through the body in the
early part of the acin the bullet narrowly missing tas
vital pars His services this occasion rewarded
soon after by promotion to the rank of Captain, which
was two grades above that Of First Lieutenant This
was also done In the Of Commodore Decstur and
one Of the very ew instances Of the kind that have
occurred In our naval or military history.
The elevation Of Commodore Morris from the rank of
Lieutenant to that OF Captain caused serious complaint
on the part of whose heads hs was elevated
ard on tho part OF others who regarded
TO the commander of the Constitution the gallant Hull
wAese promotion, although wel earned was entirely
overcoked Wha,ever controversy there may be as to
he justice propriety Of the act is fact deserving
Of particular notice that Commodore Oliver H. Perry.
over whom Heuteusnt Norris promoted, Was one Of
the FIRST not only to acquesce in IT, but
him upon his good fortune. The circumstances con-
neced With his interview with Commodore Norris dis
played nagnanimty Of character that IS rarely 10 bs
found among men engaged In any pursuit. White lying
dangerously i'll at Providence from the wound he re-
ceived he was visited b. Perry who said that his promo
ton met with his hearty approbaon and expressed the
hope that his bravery In the future might be attended
with similar reward. Nor was II ON this occasion
alone that tire gallant Perry exhibit the mobility of hi.
character. When Morris appointed to the command
Of the Adams corvette Of twenty eight guns on one
deck, he although aDxously awaiting for the command
vessel Of halt the force rendered him every facility
in procuring cIes and permitted the best Of bis men to
in the Adams 1t is in such Matters triHing they
msy appear to some minds that truly noble nature
displays re and Morris showed his BY his ppreciaon
Of and the high estesn hs ever sfsswsid d. entertained
for Perry.
The last time Commodore Morris was It sea wss in
1874, from which year no was almost constantly en-
plcyed ON land, to within few days OF his death.