The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-29


Died January IS 1891 his residence IA this city III
est Forty ah street, the seventy seventh year Of
bn age, Of congestion Of the lungs
II Captain Samuel Chester Reid born al New Londoa,
Sonec,icut In the year iTs4 and dssevvediy occupies
distinguished place among the gallant and adventurous
prts who sguaiized themselves during the last war
with Great Britain There H. perhaps, incident Ia
whole history Of naval warfare fun of the thrilling
nd the terrible the heroic and wooderf defence Of
be prvatecr General Armstrong ~ the island Of rsyA
he year 1874. Never there more desperate
trsggie, and more brilliant victory achieved
gairst vastly superior force, Tor although the
uanser Of the vessel finally abandoned her, II
vas NOT until he had again and again beaten
sack overwhelming body Of the British.
ne GeOeral Armstrong was q brigant,ne of only two
updred and forty tons and carried crew q ninety
n, including officers, with Of only
uss While lying In the neutral port Of Faya three ri
~ men OF war, counting In all hundred and thirty
guns entered the harbor and 70 anchor within
~ cables length OF the pryatecr. As soon the
do DO almost In his power the General Armstrong,
" made preparations for immed ate attack not~ith
tnding the fact OF his being IN neutral port Four
Ige launches were speedily manned and sent against the
prg, the brave commander u which resolved -
fsiye them In becoming manner. lie made his prepa-
Ss az - s pulled 40 he
0Irdered his men 20 hIe, which they did With
frrible effect. The boats pulled on In sinking
broe killed wounded. Another assault was made
lpon the brig and this time with large fleet Of boats
numbering fourteen, each Of which had from crty hy
pen, but it unsuccessful the lrsl and attend
with fearful more loss TO The English Having failed in
10Th these attempts, was resolved 10 make third aud
be Carnation one II the heet carrying eighteen guns
food close in for the General Armstrong and opened
leavy FIRE upon the little brig. The IRE returned,
Ind with such precision that the Carnaton up
y TO be obliged 70 withdraw from q conflict 10 which
Pie was certain TO be completely disabled,
ka utterely DESTROYED, Finding, however, tina,
tI.a data snueas nf ako ul..k
hira TO get possession Of his vessel, and yielding
70 the solicitations Of the Governor Of the Island well
that Of the Bmerican Consul at the port Captain Reid
cuttled her. and went shore with the gallant fellows
lnder his command The privateer was soon after
Isarded by the English and blown up. Captain Reid
confined to about dozen In killed and wountcd
thle the Engeh had according 70 their Calculation
Inc hundred and twenty killed and hundred aud
hirty wounded. The news u this action received
II the country with the greatest rejoicing and sub
equently Captain Reid was presented BY the state Of
lcdt Peter b. Porter and Edmund Y. Gaines In addition
this gift he received from the city service OF silver
late. II Captain Reid who gave the flag OF the
Union its present Tor by placing al the stars ia the form
II large star, whereas before they scattered
Without order over blue hsld One OF these, which
YES made hy his wife and OF her lady friends he
resented Congress- and II hoisted the Capitol
e also invented erected the signal telegraph at the
hnery and the Narrows, communicating with sandy
Io>k while Warden OF this port regulated and mum
,eted the pilot b ats Of New York.
Ne should have stated that he entered the navy at this
IN Of thirteen a midshipman, and In due time be
lame acting lieutenant. For the past three years he
Ms leave his last active service being board
he ship North Carolina at the Brooklyn AMY
Eard Captain Reid independent Of the high reputation
hch he had acquired by his heroism and ntrepdity In
he action referred to- dcservedy respected for his
hany estimaihe Qualities as citizen He had a large
krce of friends by whom his death win be sincerely
kretted and tc whom he had endeared himself by his
frank and manly character.