The New York herald., 1863-07-20
o D 7 = q An =
Commander Abner Read, United states
Navy.

Commander Abner Read, United states
Navy.
Commander Abner Read, OF tho United States Navy
was mortally wounded while in the command Of the
United States steam soop Monongah a. tho batteries
above Donaldsonve, the Mississippi the Tth Inst.
and died few hours terwards.
Commander Read was ratvo Of Ohio, and about forty.
two years OF age at the time Of his death. He edu
Gated in the Ohio University at Athens which institution
he lett. when IN the Glass; the year 1885, having
received midshipn an He belonged to fam
OF brothors distinguished for talent and proe ssona ac
qoremenis He was brother the late JudgeR cad f tho
Ohio Supreme Beuch;o of Dr. Ezra Read. who Of the
most distinguished medical q tho
West o. Daniel Read l.. L. D.. the well known Professor
In the state Universities Of Ohio and Indiana and Of
the State University OF Wisconsin, at Madison and Of the
e.e Amasa Read, who died the midst OF distinguished
career as lawyer at Baton Rouge. IA.
The hfs voyage ol tus young officer schooner
Enterprise 10 the South American coast having been
tached from shpof war destned to the Mediterranean
on account OF dculty with the captsn ahie the
sci Was lying at Norfolk taking tho voyage
Although no blame was attached TO him at tho Nav he
parncnt sun II was dseouragpg debut 70 the service,
and alloat deerm ned him to abandon il. His nrst
voyage which was 10 Brazil and afterwards o. tho Mod
teiraiean gave nm decided predictions for his pro cs
sion Before ms eAamlnatfn for passing he had invent
cd gun side for which ne much praised. in pre.
parin- himself Tor examination he ent reviewing hts
studies, a year or at Philadelphia In the Naval
School, then IN its nclpcnt stage cnder Commodore
Bdde. In class Of forty eight his standing tho OK
animation number AVE. lie never served as n passed
midshpman; bat detailed tho duty Of net
ing sailing MASTER In which capacity he made several
and acquired tlerepu alton of being OF the
most skiful navigators Ia the service.
~ the breaking out Of tho Mexican In which,
however there was little opportunity for naval enter
prise he the OF Africa but returned time
make cruise IN the Gulf participate
operations The close Of the II believed that
in instance has be asked remission from any la
Dor duty assigned MIN by the Department. He con
seqnunty had seen much service any officer Of
his years. He was OF large aud commanding figure,
pab'e Of extreme endurance. cautious to commit
blundcr and fond Of hardy adventure and daring enter
prise. II was characteristic Of him that no de not stop
~ consider what he had done but dc red TO do netting
In writing to friend some time since In reiecuce
to his captures he barely oke OF ihcm and proceeded To
saw Lvre write You have taken more prizes
Al any will my best. for my own credit md
for tho sake OF the gorions stars and sripes.n
In the slow prorrcss o naval promotion Mr. Read had
by the year 1873, reached the rank a lieutenant. In
1855 tho notorious etiTing boart organized under
act OF Congress Notwithstanding the reputation he hnd
made Tor himself aud his years of almost uninterrupted
service, md whio upon actual duty cruise
the West indies he became of the numerous vic.
or that body, and reached his home In Ohio
with horror that he hal been dropped rom tho service
which his very life. II known that this bord
asgnel reason Tor s action in any oae but 's pro
cecdngs have been sufficiently canva-sed and condemned
by tho country, and will remain 10 DO quoted
or wha, body or men. with opsblc power,
uprcstraned by legal rules, AMI keeping records
may do. Congress found II sary establish cxamin
boards u review the action this tribunal The
OF Lieutenant Read was brought before ono of tnem and
not only the highest professional skin and capacity
but great excellence OF private charac crf established In
his behalf whie no countorvaing testimony OF aay
weight could be raked up against him Even the wit
called him testified " his peculiar and emit
ncnt ntnoss FOR the naval service lilo was Of course
recommended TO the President TO bo restored by the
unanimous vote of the Examining Board his
declining 10 rnake argumcn, IA a case o'ps,n
was ordered from othor so1vioo 70 the wyandte tho
command q which Gevolved upon him. II was this
vessel which, IN the hArbof q pensaco efomed such
The wyandotte tho alert by rieht and day, aud
kept constantly on the watch and In readiness for
action. Her presence and threatening aspect man
difcnlty o. the rebels. Fly the middle X May the health
OF cuenan, REED was fund 10 be impaired that up
"medi al survey" prouounc UNIT service
and was relieved Upon reaching Brooklyn, such his
condition thar bis life des aired o.. and his friends
we're ieiegraphcd to come 70 him immediately In pros
pcct u his death lie. however, cd from the at
tack tchronc dyseniery FAR as 10 be able after
weeks TO 80 10 Tho 'old home 10 ono g. recrai, bs
health Tho time which the best medical advisers deemed
necessary tor thorough recovery hp pc,n,iar diseae
no declined IN tho present c.ndt on N tho try IN
secretary tho Navy y tho command Of tho steam
bDat London.
This vesael proceeded shin Island Ard
nenced cruising In the Msslsspp sound In eight deys
che captured four valuable przns she crctuay broke
up the br SIX trade that WIS as ono time carried on BE-
tween New Orleans and Mobile, and earned for herfef
from the retes the apfollatcn OF tho "Black fcyi'
The Sew london captured nearly thirty prizes and
took battery - roloxi, and had several engagements
rebel steamers the SOUND. The retes bad three
gnnboas and the writer has often secn them y before
tho persIsi mt courage and dash q rnmnndc~ Read
When Admiral Farrasut was Organizing his squadron,
preparatory the attack upon New orleans Commander
Pe-d ws very DESTROYS 70 take part n tbs forcncnt
which resulted 10 glorons'y but hs presence wts o.
9uon vsie N tho Mississippi sonnl that tho adm
was reluctantly obit9ed TO krcp him that station.
Two months ago be lost bis left eye Amir ih tho
rob Il at sabine Pass and IL obiy three since
that he given command suited 10 his abiIity--tbe
steam sloop of-wn Monongsheli.
Abner Reads death viii he universally urned
throughout the navy he beloved by nss brother
officers and bad tho and ~ all who knew
him Like Admiral fcote, ho has made vacancy hard
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