Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-08-31
VIRGINIA'S TWO HEROES-THE LIVING
AND THE DEAD.


On the 9th of March last, tho TWO following resolu
tons we're adopted by the General Assembly OF Viz
ginin
The General Assembly Of Virginia. believing that CRATE
full praise Of the best incentives TO noble achieve
mcts and that proper culogy OF the gallant dead Is
Stimulus 10 the living initiate great and bright exam
pies have selected the life aud services OF the late Cap
lain William evils Rerndon of the Navy OF the United
StntOs worthy of the highest commentator, and as
deserving the gratitude and thanks OF this his naive
State.
Entering the Navy at the age OF fifteen. he in
vice nearly years. and ON every occasion Tor
the dispiay OF discipline talent iki sasacy mnlIinc's
and herusm ne exhibited each and all In an eminent de-
gree selected BY the Government Tor the performance
of delicate and responsible duties, requiring civil as well
nsvsl knowledge at the most vsricd >nd extensive
character was 10 his trust, and manifested
the high ousitie, and atainments which his position re-
ouirea Finally. when III command ut the III lated steam
Central America, which WAS sunk al sea omihg lne
evidence OF hurricane under the most appalling CIR
he ucted tho pnrt OF gallant oflcer display
ing that steady GOODNESS and manly benrng-ihM sn"e"
ryng socitude tor the comfort OF Ohcrs-thn sic, Pleas
vigilance TO secure their safety and quiet their icarsthh
nd-rues. for help-ss women aud children-hat uf
swcrving discipline which awes while It ENCOURAGES ana
calm and quiet resolve To perish nj his
poatwIch add lustrn 10 bis name, and call ioFth unqua
hed appreciation
TO commemorate the death OF such man. and to show
tina, true Devotion duty Christian conduct and genuine
hrro-n respected and rcvcred the General Assembly
oi Virsnls,
m,nwrnlth cause to be prepared gold medal with n
anle inscription aud Ih-t the same be presented IN
RI. name OF the Commonwealth to the widow OF the de-
crhscd No Il simple testimonial OF respect Tor vlrtuous
and brave man, and noble and gallant officer
Resolved That the President OF the Senate and Speak
er of the House Delegates communicate copy OF this
Preaubs aud Resolutions 10 the said widow, and to the
Governor Of this Commonwealth.
Whereas combined naval iorce, consisting OF two En-
clsh and American boats, under the command OF
Commander Felowes oil the Royal Navy and Lieutenant
Robert Pegram Of tho United States Navy, carrying
two boat guus and hundred and fifty men, ARMED
with small arms recently engaged piraca fleet III the
Chinese SEAS consisting OF thirty Junss mounting hres
defeated the enemy with the loss OF ten or twelve Junks
and six hundred sustaining on their part loss IN
killed and wounded, Of nearly third OF their number
and whereas this victory was IN part due to tue brilliant
courage and admirable conduct OF Lieutenant Pegram,
and entities him mark OF consideration from MS
native State: Therefore,
Resolved That the Governor OF tho Commonwealth be
requested procure sword with suitable inscriptions
devices, and to bcstow the same on LIEUT. Pegram
in behalf 81 the General Assembly, rs testimonial OF
their high regard for his Character and services together
with IA copy Of The foregoing Preamble and Resolution
engrossed on parchment
The tw d testimonials Of honor prepared in obedience
to beae resolutions. now ready for the respective
acceptance of Lieutenant Pegram, aud the widow OF
the !amsnted Hsrndon. Through the kindness OF the
Secretary Of the Commonwealth, We have been
enabled to bestow particular examination on both
these works of art.
The Hsrndon medal is OF pure gold, about two
inches in diameter On eide is depicted in bold re-
lief the scene of the tempest, the life boat crowded
with passengers and struggling with the waves the
steamer half dismsned and the heroic commander
standing resoutely on an elevated part OF the wreck
The necessarily email scale Of the picture does not
sinit of any sric. accuracy in the depletion Of the
human figures, but, like the beautiful symbolic en-
cravings from the antique. ia sufficiently distinct to
relate 10 en- unmstakeabe form the now well known
story of the Christian heroes selfsscrhcng devotion
Around this device are inscribed the following
words
unyvorros TO DUTY. CHRISTIAN CONDUCT AND GENU
gHERoisM RESPECTED ASD REvERFD."
The revsrss of the medal bears Inc following IN
scription, surrounded by delicate olive wreath,
wrought with exquisite finish and minutenes':
PREsENTED TO THE WIDOW Of
CAPTAIN WILLIAM LEWIS HERNDON,
UNITED sTATEs NAVY,
vlRGl}NIA
ASA TESTIMONIAL OF REFLECT foR HtR
VIRTUOUS SON,
noble AND GALLANT
OFFICER.
The blade of ..tempered steel offered TO Lien.
tenant Pegram, ia beautifully decorated with va
riety of appropriate embsms, maritime, national and
NEUROLOGICAL On ono side appears the inscriptions:
A MOTHERS OFT TO HER DEVOTED sos.
On .hs other side Of the blade lie inscribed,
VIRGINIA, TO LIErTESAhr ROBERT r. rh"RA"'
L. 8. NAVY, KULAN, arm AUGUST 1000
The hilt of the sword is surmouned by an single
surrounded with thirteen stars, the guard being III
the form of dolphin. Two handsome sehbbhrda
accompany the blade; one OF black shark skir, with
gilt mountings. according 10 service reguhtionsi The
other OF gilt metal. highly ornsmeuted "lth maritime
devices.
The medal was executed by Messrs. Smith Il Hart
man of New York; the sword by the Ames Manuiac
turing Company of Chioopee, Massachusetts, Each
firm hss reason to be proud OF its workmanship
For the appropriate designa. devices and emblems
employed, We are indebted TO the taste and Invention
OF honored and accomplished friend The secreis
~ of the Commonwealth, under whose direction, as
sisted by the advice of Major William Munord, both
testimonials we're prepared.
Bronze copies Of the Hsrndon msdsi have been pre-
sented 10 Gov. Wise and COL Muniord'
These witnesses Of Virginias glory are deposited to!
the pre.cnt in The State Library. They will be eI'
amined with deep interest by all of our cz-ns whose
hearts have throbbsd Whose has MOTH over the 60
emn triumph of the hero Of the tempest, and the
OF ess thrilling incidents OF the victory OF hulsp.
COL. w. Z SWAN, OF SOXVlLLE, TENN.
Col. Swan, who Ia associated with John Mitchell
as propretors and Editors Of the "Southern Citizen"
is a, present At the Exchange Hotel in thi. city. lie
80, D,,. ~ and in nd
visit the Express Gays:
I" He desires TO form The acquaintance Of iner-
chants and Others and endeavor. ii possible, to in
duce al interchange of friendly and business inter