Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1861-07-19
From the Home Journal.
LOOKINGS.ON AT THE WAR.
BY N. P. WILLIS.
WASHINGTON, July l, 1861


1t is strange how startling news may
sometimes come to u.s. | had strolled
up as usual, the other morning, to my
friend Lieutenant Wises room in the Ma
Wy Department-that being the best place
to make out a programme for the days
doings at Washington-and, with the
Lieutenant and Captain Harwood, was
discussing the worthwhile of trip down
the Potomac on one of the Government
boats-they kindly offering me the chance.
We could scarce meet again without re-
fcrring to our merry visit to their old ship
mate Captain Ward week or two ago,
on board the /" Frecborn," propeller, and
the picture of the jolly hero in his little
n-of-war, was, of course, fresh in my
memory as l projected day or two of
voyaglng in a similar craft and on the
same waters. Just then an officer passed
through the room, on his way to the
Secretary, with despatch in his hand -
Ward is killed by a shot from the other
side" said he, "and Dalghrcn has sent
up to know what to do with his body"
Ward killed exclaimed each and all.
Ward killed !" With his jolly laugh
and his bantering welcome still ringing
in our cars, as it were, we thus heard the
knell of his death. The sudden tolling
of dirgc amid a roar of merriment could
not have been more paralyzing. There
was silence for a moment IN the chance
gathered group of the dead mans friends
and brother officers, and, by the glisten-
ing eyes and looks downcast and troubled
it was evident that all hearts were strug-
Cling hard. Never could the farewell to
a long tried friend and shipmate have
been more touchingly and tenderly given,
it seemed to me- than in the fearful emo
ton of those cultivated and distinguished
men, during their few moments of silence
10 the numerous accounts of Captain
Wards death, and to the geographic
sketches which have promptly appeared
in the daily papers, nothing could be adj
ded in the way of positive information.
But there is sometimes an insight into the
more familiar qualities of distinguished
man, which the admiring world values
like privilege of INTIMACY look at
him through the eyes of affection, as it
werc-and chance conversation, yester-
day, with one of his most attached friends
and comrads, having exceedingly interest
ed me in this way, | will try to share the
impression of it with the readers.
had been exp, essing to this officer
the surprise have already recorded, at
the contrast between Captain Wards
formal outside reputation,o and the al
most comical unpretcndingness of his
manners and surroundings in the little
cabin where we had seen him. 1t was on
the evening before he started for the ex-
petition which proved fatal to him, and
he had only returned, the day previous,
to repair damages after the gallant skirm-
ish at Acquia Crcek-the shot-holcs
through the sides of his little vessel tell
ing us how perilous it had been. There
sat the hero in his shirt-sleeves-the two
Gays for which the world is to give him
immortal fame pressing close upon him,
the day of one achievement just past and
the day Of another and fatal one just be-
sCaptain Ward was the author of three stand
ard works 80 A Manual Of Naval Tactics, to
gether with brief critical analysis OF the prln
clpal Modern Naval Battles - . Ordnance and
Gunnery," and "Steam for the Million" Tc
his merit in this bran'h b Of science Sir Howard
Douglas, the highest English authority, pays the
most elaborate tribute.
Lieutenant Wise informs me that he was IN cor
respondence with his friend Ward, as to repub
hcstion Of one Of his work, just before his death