The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-10-07

LIEUT.. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.

The last vestige of hope of the rescue
Of. the noble commander of the Central
America is gone. From boy HERN-
DoN's home was on the waters. AT ff-
teen he entered the Navy as midship-
man, and for more than TWEEN ntyeight
years remained connected with it. In
every respec. he was thorough and ac
complished officer and man; and in an
eloquent tribute to his M emory the New
York Ecangelist says:
lie had made voyages to the Pacific,
to the Mediterranean, and to the coast
of B. azil. Besides thi- he was a man
of science. He had served with distinc
tion in the Florida and Mexican wars.
A brotherin-law of Lieut.. Maury, he
had been interested with him in the same
studies. For some years he was attached
to the observatory in Washington, where
he was engaged in making astronomical
observations, He was also proficient
in the languages, and spoke the French
and Spanish fuently.. ~. .o., ,,.... .z.5
It was during his last voyage in the
Pacific, while on the coast Of South
America, that he received orders to pen
citrate the interior; to cross the Andes
and explore the Amazon from its source
to IFS mouth-ai distance Of four thois-'
and miles. 70 prepare himself for this
journey, he spent four or five months in
study and research, hunting through
monasteries in Chilli and Peru for docu-
ments illustrating the geography and
the early history of South America
Thus prepared, he climbed the Andes
and descended to the head waters of the
great river. Launching on the stream
in an open boat and with a single white
companion, and an Indian guide, he
foated on for days, weeks and months,
till after eleven months. he touched the
beach Of Para, and stepping from his
boat, fell exhausted on the shore. The
record of these discov cries has been Civ
en- to the world, aud his name has an hon.
orable place among scientific travellers
and explorers
1t was soon after his return from this
expedition, that we first met Lieutenant
lerndon in company with Lieut.. Maury,
in the city of Washington; and our ac-
quaiutance- continued till the day of his
death Often has be described to US his
wanderings along the Amazon-the river
rolling its mighty flood, now through
broad savaanas, and now through inter-
mlnable forests, which hung On tho bor-
ders of TIE stream, rich, with the glories
o; tropical vegetation; with birds of gor-
geous plumage fifting through the bran
ches, and the,wild beasts startling the
wilderness with their cries. lie told US
of the loneliness of heart that sometimes
came over him, and of his joy at once
more finding himself among the habita-
tions of men. ..,. Ill. -.s....
3 the highest qualities of this officer
were known only TO his intimate friends.
Slight in figure, he was modest and un-
assuming in appearance. Ia his family
he was most affectinnate, and thoughtful
Of all bat himself One who saw him
there, might almost doubt his presence
aud power Of command. But a bravcr
seaman never trod a quarterback.
Though gentle as woman toward others,
he was utterly fearless of personal dan
ger Indeed, peril seemed to arouse and
call out all his heroic qualities. His
heart never quailed in the battle or the
storm. Even in the midst of appalling
danger, his serene countenance reanima-
ted those around him, and inspired fresh
courage and hope. The best proof of
his power over men was the conduct Of
his crew, as seen in their perfect disci-
pline and prompt obedience.