Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-06-02
PUBLISHED DAILY AND TRI-WEKKLY BY
EDGAR SNOWDEN.
ALEXANDRIA,:
WEDNESDAY MORNING. JUNE 2, 1858.
A long and we'll written account OF the

re-publish it at length. He was born IN west
morelapd County, Va, in l790--entered the
NAVY 10 lS05-and from that time forward
was almost constantly in active service. His
services in the Gulf Of Mexico aud on the
coast Of Louisiana, from May 1903, to the
breaking out of the war of 1912, in the cup
preston of piracy, smuggling, and the slave
trade, and in the enforcement: ef our neutrali-
ty laws, would form q volume of thrilling
interest.
Subsequently, whilst in command of the
Hotilla Of American gun boats, watching the
movements of the British feet conveying
the army for the invasion of L uissna, he
was at tackled by an overwhelming force from
the feet, "at leas. nine times his number,
and after desperate resistance for near two
hours he was captured; not, however, until,
Of the thirty-six men and officers on bis deck
when the battle began, more than one half
were killed and wounded; and not until, OF
the forty-6ve barges and launches, manned
with twelve hundred veterans and comman-
ded by one of Britain's ablest captains. many
boats were sunk and destroyed, with four
hundred Of their crews put hors du combat,
two of whom, including FRS, Lieut.. Pratt,
of the "Sea Horse" fell by his own hand
lie never did entirely recover from the
wounds be received in this battle, and carried
in his body to the grave the musket-bal!
which laid him on bis vessels deck, il not
lifeless, insensible for while. and weltering
10 his own and his brave comrades' blood
Afterwards be served throughout the war
with great zeal and distinction. 10 1920 be
was advanced to the rank Of master comman-
daut and served for several years 10 this ca
pacity at the Washington, navy yard, and al
so as inspector of ordnance, be being the
first to whom this important duty was
copfded.
Iu 1929 be was promoted to Poet Captain,
and again served as inspector of ordnance
for several years. In 1886, the Exploring
Expedition having been authorized by Con-
gress, Com. Jones wa selected by Gen. Jack
son for its commander. This honor he sub
seauently resigned. We have to pass over
hio e.boceuont oaroer, ehnqnered al it was
BY barely remarking that il he erred in HE
proceedings at Monterey on the coast Of Cal
ifornia, his errors were those of noble ma
tn re, imbued With love Of country, and desi.
rous only of it's honor and glory. We must
turn from his public life. connected as it is
with the general history Of the Navy and Of
the Country, and conclude with the following
beautiful sketch of Com. Jones. as a man
and citizen
The distinguishing moral traits OF the de-
ceased were purity Of mind, conscientious
pess, nesolence, and love Of country. No
man ever veptured TO pollute his ear with pro-
family or coarse allusiop, or to propose 10 him
schemes which involved mean motives or
were intended to subserve sinister purposes.
His purity of mind was evinced also 10 the
difficulty he conceived Of foul motives or
wrong intentions in others; and his heart
seemed to yield no fuel for the fiery passions
of our nature. Simple in his tastes, man
ners, and pleasures, the equanimity, elashc:-
~. and sponta ueous cheeriulness Of bis youth
continued even to his latest day. Vi all the
influences which animate good deeds and
produce honorable lives, the most neglected,
and We: perhaps the noblest, is that OF the
sense Of duty To this, with that recon-
pense only 10 view which the just man can
accord to himself, and which Heaven attest,
he immolsted his existence. profound
reverence and love of God was the central
and pervading sentiment of his heart, the
the light and strength Of bis conscience.
He was accustomed to keep holy the Sabbath
day, and, however numerous and exacting
bis professional engagements, bis adherence
TO the rule was iuvariable. The faith which
be professsed vas bis guide through life and
his consolation in death. From an early pc
rod of bis malady he despaired of bis reco-
very, but that despair Of life no1 was bright
ened by the hope of life hereafter, and by
bis firm but humble trust in the promises of
his Sayior--a trust which gave him power
to bear with resignation great bodily pam
throughout his long sickness. AlIevlated 10
suffering by every attention that unrenltted
medical skill could devise, soothed by ChrV-
siaD sympathy, and watched by eyes that
loved him, calmly and cheerfully he gave his
being up, and went TO share the holy rest
that waits a life we'll spent"
-. Al .