Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-09-07
THE history OF A TRAITOR.

FROM The Philadelphia Press, Aug 26th.
yesterday mornings telegraph gave the names of i've
commissioned officers who threw up their position in the
navy Of the United States when the frigae Congress
rived st the Boston NIvy Yard. The FIRST that
Of Ciptan Robert Tansil whose history is familiar with
many residents Of Philadelphia 10 whom the iings OF
his dsoya!ty were evidence of the bassi ingrattude
toward country which made and maintained him -
From citizen acquainted with the singular OF
this mau we obtained the following pacuars OF his life
and services:
Robert TansiI was born in Prince William county va
between Manassas Junction and Mount Vernon. or ex-
osedngy humble .ntige he eKhb In boyhood such
remarkable ambition and reatlessness that he ran away
from home at the age OF sixteen ard enlisted in the
United States marine corps His intelligence was above
the average OF common soldiers, aud this combined
with unusual qucknefs and intrepdity, made him al
once the praise and oensurs of the commissioned OH.
In short lime he raj ed 10 the rank Of Ser
geant Of marines, the highest non.commssioued flee
which can be held In the service His conduct Ia this
new position marked by the same perseverance and
determination Isbich raised him from the place OF a
private In fact his spirited behavior brought upcn him
the enmty Of many scons Of rank, and occasion
when lying in Hampton Roads the ship Norh Carolioa
be was ordered 10 be tied up aud logged. Yong Tan.
sl however seizad musket and swore rather than 20
submit 10 such ndignity, 10 shoot down any who
| should liy hands upon hm.
In 1885 his term OF enlistment expired, and lie was
about to retire from the service. Commander Billiard
who understood his talents and spirit prevailed upon
him TO enlist, with the promise that he would shortly
obtain him commission in the marine service In 1857,
according ely, he received second eutenancy aud
ordered away 10 Florida where he acted leuten
ant commanding of what called the Mosquito
Squadron" fleet Of small vessels thai up the aets
aud bayous along the coast to cooperate with the land
forces in subjusating the Semiuoles
Lieut.. Mclaughlin soon took preeedencs oil Tansl
in ths service, and he Of disposition extremely yr
annicsl and overbearng. 1t his delight yrannze
the marines and Of that corps named Pierre
poni, having committed some slight offence, Mclaughlin
had bim tied up aud hogged uamerciully that he
aterwsrd died. Lieut. TaIsi determined to make hir
matter public, which he did, through the columns OF
small paper published in ST. Augustine, Fla. For this
among other things charges preferred Secretary
Of War John Bell and Tansilrs trial Of at the
Philadelphia Navy Yard. He had denied his signature
10 the paper Aforesaid and for this he was convicted OF
un-oc.rke conduct and prevarieation and sentenced
to half pay and suspension from the marine corps for
three years
He at once proceeded to Virginia, where he married
Miss Weens, the daughter Of obscure Methodist cer
gyman. lie then opened military school at Washing.
ion, and contrved to support himself and family until
his term Of suspension had expired He was reiustatec
during John Tyiers administration, and promoted 10
frs; suenarcy, being Immediately ordered TO the Pa
ci6c where in conjunction with the land forces under
Coouels Fremont and Kearney, he kept in check the
Caifcrnans aud helicaDs aud assisted to that
large extent Of territory to the Federal Government.
In lsIs he left in command OF small fort at
uaymas where, In the absence Of the main body Of the
army he attacked by immense force Of Me1icans
snd Indians, whom lie gallant repulsed with but little
loss. For this Conduct he breyeted captain Of
rines aud shortly siterward given full cspIaincy.
Henceforward his career peaceful. he paricipa-
ted 10 the Japan expedition and when the Paraguay
pedou was organized, he Was made Commander Of the
marine force. His appointment to this plsce
y criticised and the fact tina. he raised fiom
mon soldier urged against bis promotion. His yaor and
talents too well known, however to mar his pros
pects aud the appointment not altered. Latterly
he ordered of in the Congress TO the BrGz coss',
aud when the broke out his friends sanguipe
that he at least would stand by the flag under which lie
had fought so long, and by the Government that bad
educated protected and raised him rank and honor.
These high hopes were prostraed uhen the arrival
Of the Congress at Boston, his name appeared among
the first to forsake his flag aud throw up his commission
No greater ngratitude this has yet exhibited, fer
most Of those who have proved traitors and penres
Of wealth and note iu the beginning. But Tansll
was poor, obscure, and adventurer. After thirty
years of maintenance having grown fat upon the chari
ty Of the Government, he resigned his fig when
aced and mpsrled aud basely endeavors prefer bis
services to enemies and traitors Such base de-
fecton glad to see has btea promptly punished
and Tansi has been arrested and confined in Fort Ham
ton, in New York
His brother Grandson 8. Tansill, was a second
geant in the United States Second Dgoops in the Flor
ida war, and aferwsrd u sergeant in the Marine Corps
under Msjor Twggs, who fell at Chepultepec. Whether
or not this latter Tans has deserted his coors do
mt know AT all eyents IL ia of little conseuu spce.