The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-02
Procee aings OF the Naval Courts.

Procee eings OF the Naval Courts.
NAVAL COURT NO 3.-COhMANDER RINGGOLDs
CASE UNDER INvEsTIG ALTON.
WASHINGTON Oct %, 1851.
CAPTAIN Wilkes Sworn for defence-I have know him
since 1920 or 1921; he then midshpman; have
sailed with him in the Mediterranean squadron midshp
man in 1920 in the vessel, but was very
mate with him; was afterwards with him in the expor
ing squadron in 1887 1885, 1882 S40 ls4l and part or
ls42 was the commander Of the squadron and he
in command the brig PorpOse as Lieutenant Command
ing have frequently met with him since that period
consulted with him duty his character as an o.
fcer during my service with him very efficient IN
respect; he full energy ana zeal ana unre
hitting in carrying out all the duty both nava; s ana scso
service-as an officer, high minded and gen
tlemanly, in all his intercourse in the sqnasdroe;
have had repeated and intimate Intercourse with him
since his return from the East indies professionally ana
otherwise; he did while in the Exploring Expeditoa
command an expedition against one OF the Feejee
islands and executed his orders entire satisfaction
Two letters were here shown which Captain Wilkes stated
original order of his, accompanied by original
sketch and copy Of Commander Rnggolds report to him
upon the subject) There were very arduous duties -
mental anxiety and bodily fatigue, both day night;
than any other service constantly requiring the
se Consider him entreY a. ~ ue The &C.
tive list OF the navy.
seen him under circumstances which required GOODNESS
and presence Of mind he always equal the stua
which he found himself and ali times cool and
collected have never seen any mental weakness tend
ing dsquafy him for his profession quite the contrary
Commodore Perry then called on the part Of the
government and sworn.
Question by Judge AdvocateL a captain in the
navy, and have known Commander Ringgold for thirty
years. Commander Rnggod was midshipman on board
the North Carolina; was then first lieutenant and part Of
the time flag captain never had any other service to-
gether We came together officially in 1854 in the Canton
river commanded the East India squadron, and found
him in command of the North Pacific exploring exped
ton the vessels under his command were at anchor in
the Canton river embracing the harbor OF Hong Kong,
my arrival in the Canton river from Japan; this
in the latter Of July 1854 he made his official reports
to me verbally and written; Commander Rnggod was
in state alteration Of mind and untitled TO command
the squadron which had been assigned to his charge;
on the application surgeon Of the expedition, ad
dressed to Lieut. Commanding j. Rodgers stating the con-
dition OF Commander Rnggod's health and requesting
| that medical survey should be held upon him, ex
pressed my unwingness have thing to do with the
l. ships under the command of Commander Rnggold; this
opinion expressed To several OF the officers, but
told that survey could be held unless detailed it,
enough officers in that squadron 10 const
legal board after making further nquir les, and
seeing the dsorganzed state of the ships, thought my
duty To interpose my authority about that time
ed several letters from Commander Rnggod requesting
that would relieve him. believe, temporarily,
count Of his health consequently appointed Medical
Board Of Survey and at the same time returned to Ma
Gao for the express purpose Of seeing Sommanaer King
r. the house of Mr.. Rawe, very cstmable Amcri
can who living Macao with his wife and daughter
! parent kindness and friendship, and expressed
| his satisfaction at my coming to relieve him
| from his command ne used singular language
in relating in detail Of what he intended
with the ships and added observation that salts
fed me at once that he state Of arrangement;
at once conceded with the opinion Of the other officers that
he unfit 10 have any further authority in the mean
time he surveyed by the Medical Board either before
or after and he reported insane, and recon-
mended be sent 10 the United States by the first best
| opportunity; Commander Rnggold applied TO me for .
survey, through, believe, other officers and by
notes which we're very ncoherent and not signed
| and without dates; Commander Rnggold expressed him
self repugnan going home in the Supply; the Board
had recommended second survey should have ordered
assemble for that purpose selected the supply
because she had originally been merchant snip, with
| large accommodations and convenient staterooms;
thought Commander Rnggod would be more comfortable
in her. considering Commander Rnggod entirely in the
charge of the medical officers and also that any inter
views with would have injurious tendency upon his
health, absained from visiting him, and with the con.
currence the medical officers, ordered that medical
officer should be stationed near Mr. Rawes house. but
| that Commander Ringgold should not be inform
| ed SO that he might be annoyed; |
| him occasionally taking an airing, and we
always sauted each other kindly he seemed 70 DO
improving he was slways without hat and seemed 20
sequent the 9th August, 1854 for about fifteen or
twenty days bu, canno, tell exactly how long; during
the month of August was in frequent intercourse with
the officers Of the expedition reference Commander
Ringgold's condition. cannot state when was the last
time saw him previously to his leaving China for Me
United States have met him frequently at Washington
and Saratoga since return 10 the United States and
opinion from his conduct To led me 10 believe that
he sim laborcd under Authorization with regard to this
particular subject, and mentioned this TO persons OF his
turn met him occasionally at WIZARDS Hotel, in this
city thought his conduct wild and threatening towards
me- my attention was called TO II on one occasion by
gentleman well known 10 both Of US, but have
taken any notice Of these apparent threaenngs ascrbng
10 the natural wounded feelings against me AS the agent
| for carrying out the regulations OF the service
by counsel for defence-I cannot recol
iect the date Of my interview with him at Macao
rccoect but about the time Of my approval OF
| the survey, think far "a Judge his bodily
health was quite delicate, apparently
| WASHINGTON. Oct 30, 1867.
Commodore Perry examined part OF defence
think left the surveying squadron under command OF
Lieutenant Rodgers at Hong Kong; left on the lith Of
September for home by the overland route during tho
period Of Commander Rnggods association with in
1924 and is25 he made quite favorable impression upon
my mind of very promising young officer; do not know
the precise day tina, arrived In China was between
the Goth and oath Of July, 1854 received letter
| Commander Rnggoid, dated the oath July, 1864, M
well az other letters the reports concerning Commander
Rnggold made 10 before had hardly got 10
Choir; the log will show the day arrived; cannot reco
lect The officers who made the reports had communica
tons with several general report; cannot say
who reported the matter 10 me; do not recoect OH
ca report except that 81 the surgeon 81 the expedition
Commander Ringgolds the topic of common con
yersation I received numerous communications from
Commander Rnggold In relation 10 the medical survey
evidently that they were written BY an insane person
do not recoect having received the letter Of the 10th OF
August 1ss4 copy Of which was now produced by de-
fenced might and probably sent certified copy of
/ and other letters to the department. have doubt
this letter now shown rs fair copy Of the letter but
/ when that letter written Commander Ringgoid
l was In the hands Of the medical officers, and his
communications were not officially recognized by
/ me: I however referred the matter Of his
| municaion 10 the Medical Board Of Survey the
| original notes and letters u Commander r have al
ready stated have been misiad and therefore cannot
| produce them; copies presume sent 10 the de-
Iartmcnt the necessity Of ordering second survey is
left 70 the discretion Of the authority ordering the hrst
lett 10 the discretion Of the Medical Board order
other survey because thought proper do so they had
opportunities TO judge Of his state of mind FAR be
leye, between his FIRST survey and his application for
second do not recoecs giving other order than the
one already given, neither verbal nor 10 writing was IN
communication with the feet surgeon cf my
squadron and may have converscd with him In regard ~
the expedency Of second survey; do not know when
Commander Rnggolds medical attendant left Macao he
may have gone IN the vessel with me, and not
not have him. know that Commander Rnegod LETT
Macao without the PERMISSION OF bis medical ofccr
reported 10 the advice of his medical Officer
that he should remain Macao because he could be
fortaby fixed there; do not know what medical officer