Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-07-08
Cnpt. Phelps md nIr. Rlddle.

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EDIToRs LEADER: In your notice Of the
meeting at our village you remark that
Capt. s. Z. Phelps is a son Of Judge Phelps
former law partner of Hon. A. G. Riddle.
This reminds me Of a pleasant little incl
dent in the lives Of these two gentlemen, each
of whom is now faithfully serving our
country in such distinguished position,
and I violate no confidence in giving il
publicity. ! o eIt5 tAa
During that same law cO-partnership,
when Mr. Riddle was a hard working
young lawyer, and given to seelusiOn and
some to the ladies, and Capt. Phelps was
a well grown, hardy, noble youth Of
seventeen, with a tendency to fish
ing and other useful accomplishments
and given to loafng about the law Office
Of P. s R. being greatly attached to the
latter Mr.. Riddle asked him one day
how he would like to be in the Navy
Nothing would snit him so we'll. Then
why don't you apply for an appointment
as midshipman ~ 9Well, you know an
effort has just failed to procure me an ap-
pointment at West Point, and don't feel
like asking for any further effort" "I
tell you what to DO You write letter to
the Secretary of the Navy, merely stating
the facts-that your grandfather fought
from private to a Captain in the RevOlu-
tiOn-that your father, a Lieutenant
fought, was wounded and taken with Gen.
Scott at QueehstOwn-that you are seven
teen years old, and hardy, and want to
serve your country in the Navy-and ask
for an appointment" "Why," said young
P. a never wrote letter in my life; 1
can't "Very well, said the votary of
Blackstone, al viii write and you copy
it." He accordingly wrote the above in
the most condensed form, and wound up
with "Please, sir, appoint me a midship-
man. Respectfully, Seth Phelps" (The
" "Ledyard in his name having been
adopted sinee-a historic family of Con-
neetieut to whom the Phelpses are nearly
related.) This, when copied, Mr.. R. in
closed TO Hon Elisha Whittlesey, with
whom he was acquainted, with request
that he would see it placed personally be-
fore the head of the Navy Department.
Ten days later the young gentlemen
were elated by brief note from a Clerk Of
the Navy Department requesting the
height of young P, and also inquiring
whether he was free from physical defects,
&c. This was promptly and in Q business
way responded to. r...... .-...-
Three months more passed, with no furth-
er tidings from the Navy Office, and the
young friends had nearly ceased to discuss
the chances, when one winter day Phelps,
PdteT, with an amazed air bore into the
Office to them, large package with the
seal and frank of the Navy Department,
addressed to " Acting Midshipman Seth
Phelps, o. S. Navy" containing his ap-
pointment, and orders to report himself to
Com. Stewart Of the Home Squadron, for
duty, This is the way Capt Phelps, of
the Benton" the favorite officer of Com
modOre FOote, entered the Navy, and this
was the first that was known of the appli-
cation.
In all his service in the Mediterranean,
on the far off coast of Africa, in the Mexi-
4 "a q
can war, and when he was at the head Of
one branch of scientific exploring party
in South America, the gallant officer turn
ed ever with affection to his first friend
And during the troublous times and amid
the mists of suspicion and doubt of fifteen
months ago, when the lip of slander would
assail the loyalty of the truest hearted
officer Of the Navy, that same friend gave
that whisper the lie with such indignant
scorn that none cared to repeat it, and it
is probable that if any could be hardy
enough to assafl that friend in the pres
ennce Of Capt. Phelps, he would receive
more severe treatment, refined and ac-
complished as he is.1 7r