Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-06-09
The Death of Christian--the late Capt. Fran
els OtWay Byrd

! SaDtalu DYFu wis UUIu III SldThC COuHty
Virginia, on the 10Th of August, 1870. He
was the third son of Capt. Thomas I. Byrd,
and grandson Of Colonel William Byrd, OF
Westover whose courtly manners and proud
sense Of honor, largely helped to create that
impression OF the Virg nian character which
has in English society descended to our own
day from ante-Revolutionary times. AT the
breaking out of the Revolutionary War, Col
onel Byrd, of Westover, in spite of his early
associations, took prominent part in the
Army of his country, and transmitted the
same spirit to his grandsons. One of the
five brothers Of the subject of our notice,
died in the pride Of Manhood, killed at the
Battle of North Point in defence of the city
of Baltimore, and Francis Otway Byrd en-
tered the army of the United States, at the
commencement Of the War with Great Bri-
tain in 1872, as Lieutenant in the I'd regl-
ment of Artillery. lie was soon ordered to
the frontiers where he participated in the
services and hardships incident to the seve.
raj campaigns in Canada, aud on the North
ern borders of the United States, and espe-
cially in the memorable campaign on the
Niagara, in 1914
at the siege of Fort Eric, though so young
middle Bastion Of the Fort, in which was a
q or 50 FOUNDER that did great execution
During forty days the cannonade by day,
and often after night, was almost unceasing,
and in two sanguinary battles, one of
which was Il night attack, the other q mid
day S0rtie-"Lieut. Byrd" in the language
Of Major General Gaines, "nobly and gallant
~ sustained his part, and more especially in
the glorious victory of August Is, 1914"
General Scott has also borne his testimo-
ny $50 tic distinguished gallantry of Lieut..
Byrd, in the many Battles and affairs in
which lie found himself engaged with the
enemy"
lie was present at the battles of Chippe-
wa, Niagara, and Lundys Lane, and al
though he had been absent five years from
his home engaged in arduous and active SER
vice in continuous conflicts and painful pri-
yations, be volunteered to accompany the
expedition fitting out for Algiers under
Commodore Decatur as second in command
Of detachment of Bombadiers.
During the voyage the smallpox broke
out On board the ship in which he served,
and he was interchangeable in his attention to
the poor soldiers and sailors, saying that it
became his duty 10 take charge of the sick,
as he had had the disease by innoculaton.
On the 18th Of June, 1915, off Cape de
Gait, his vessel captured an Algerine Frig-
ate, and Brig Of War, after a running fight
succeeded by a hand to hand engagement,
during which the famous Admiral Rails
Iiammida, long the terror of the Mediterra-
mean Sea, nailed his colors to the mast, from
whence they were torn by the valor Of the
Americans after the Rails fell. Capt. Byrd
received on ihis occasion a handsome Tur-
ksh sword anil a pair OF Algerine pistols
from Commodore Decatur.
The squadron arrived ut Algiers on the
18th of June. In less than Is hours Deca-
tur terrified the Dey into his conditions.
From Algers the squadron proceeded to
Tunis and Tripoli and procured similar con-
cessions: obtaining at the latter place the re-
lease Of ten Christian captives, Danish and
Neapoltans.
After Capt. Byris return to this country,
he married. in 1917, Miss Elizabeth Pleas
ants 81 pniladclp hia, and, exchanging his
sword for tac plougtlshare, settled with her
IN bis native county where, as the true gen
tlo,nail, rI.c kind conciliating neighbour, and
the generous master Of those placed in sub
lection under him, he won the affection and
respect Of the whole community. We think
t!iat we may say he never had an enemy,
except in war, and, during the whole of his
long life, barely a passing difference with
any fellow creature. In his last illness he
frequently exclaimed 81 love every one"
Ills native State, Virginia, in 1913 voted
him for his gallant conduct sword of honor,
and this appreciation Of his military servi-
| IL. ;,oi, 70 nj n
his feelings.
lie was carly called to mourn two of four
children whom s'the Lord had given him."
hu; in the strength Of his attachment to his
beloved and devoted wife, and to the daugh-
tiers who remained to him, he found the JOY
Of his declining years. In 1855 he removed
to Baltimore partly for medical attendance,
but chiefly that being near TO his beloved
daughter the wife Of Mr.. 5. G. Wyman, the
whole family might be reunited.
Ten years previous to this removal he had
united himself, as Il communcant,-w
Christ Church, Baltimore, under the pastor
al influence Of his beloved friend, until his
death, the late Dr.. Henry '. d. Johns. He
thus renewed his covenant Of service in
"thc ChurrH Militant here on earth, and new
er laid aside Inc 'weapons Of his warfare in
Chris; : conflict, ill he was called, within the
present month, 10 Join the Church Trlum-
| i,hant IN Heaven.
Preserved during these fifteen years Of
lis religious feelings, none but those who
knew him best, knew that the pages OF the
| Word oE life, ~ well as the precious medl-
tationS Of Leighton and 4 kempls, were
| worn iv his constant reading. The treas
| uro, crnr.h j., his memory in health were