Juliet signal., 1863-07-07
THE NATIONS L Oss.
Death or Rear Admiral Foote:

city OF New York. on Friday evening last.
He was the son of Hon. Samuel A. Foote
formerly GOyernor of Connecticut and
Senator in Congress. Az the age of six.
teen young Foote entered the NAVY acting
as Midshipman, and made his fist cruise
in the steamer Grampus, which formed
part of the squadron sent in 1923 to chas-
tise the pirates in the West Indian Arch-
epelago. In 1924 he obtained his war;
rant as midshipmau, and in 1880 was
commissioned as lieutenant. In 1883
he was flag lieutenant of the Mediterran-
can squadron, and 1888 he circumnavi-
gated the globe with Commodore Reed, as
ist lieutenant OF the slcop of war, JLhn
Adams, participating in an attack on the
pirates OF Sumatra, and rendering assist,
ance to the American missionaries in
Honolulu, who had been prosecuted by
the French naval commander on that sta
ton. Whilst stationed at the naval asvl-
um in 1S4l-'5, he prevailed upon many of
the inmates to give up their spirit ration,
being one Of the first TO introduce the
principles of total abstinence from intoxi-
eating drinks in the navy and during a
cruise in the Cumberland in 1875, he
net only induced the crew 30 furego the
use of spirits, but personally supcrintend-
ed :heir religious instruction, delivering
an eXtempOraneous sermon. at which up
yard of 200 sailors attended. In 1919 in
Command Of the brig Perry, he joined the
squadron under Commodore Gregory, on
the African coast, where during the next
two and h IF years he was actively en-
gaged in suppressing the slaYe trade, In
connection with this cruise he published
in 1852, work entitled, Africa aud
American Flag" After serving on the
naval retiring board, he was appointed in
1856 tc the command of the 81. Op, Purts-
mouth, and ordered to proceed to the Chi
Ia station. Arriving at C -nton Just pre-
yious to the commencement of hostilities
between the English and Chinese he ex-
erted himself ia protecting the property
of American citizens and having been
fired upon from the Canton barrier forts
while In the discharge of his duty, he re-
ceived permission from his commanding
officer, Commodore ArmsirJng. to demand
an apology for the indignity. This being
refused. he attacked the forts, four in num-
be-, with the Portsmouth, supported by
the Levant, preached the largest and
strongest, and landed with a force of 9SJ
sailors and marines, carried the work by
storm. The remaining forts we've suc-
] q
to the attacking party. The works were
massive. granite structures, with walls 7
| feet thick, mounting l76 guns and 5000
men, of whom 400 were killed and woun>
ded. This expl,it, performed in the
presence of the British and French fleet
in the Canton River greatly enhanced the
reputation of the American navy abr, ad,
| At the commencement Of the civil war in
! 1861, Commodore FOote was executive off,
! Ger Of the Brooklyn navy yard. Ia July,
! 1861 he was mmissiOned as a captain,
and in the following September was ab-
pointed to succeed Commando. Rodgers
as flag officer Of the hotilla fittirg out in
the Western waters TO act against the en-,
emy. He personally superintended the
completion of this work during the next
! few months, and on Feb. 1, 1862. sailed
from Cairo with feet tf seven gunbOats.
of which four were iron clad, to attack
Fort Henry on the Tennessee. Without
waiting for the land forces under General
Grant, which was cooperate with him, he
opened fire at nocn of the 9Th, and after a
warm action Of two hours compelled 20
surrender. Returning to Cairo, he sailed
soon after for the Cumberland River, and
on the 18th attacked Fort Donnelson-.
The action was sustained with great Wig
or on both sides for an hour and n half
whec the feet was obIigei to haul off,
just as the enemy's water batteries had
been silenced, in consequence of two oi
the gunboats becoming uumanageable 5y
having their s'eering apl aratus shot off
Flag Ohcer FOOte was severely wounded
in the ankle by fragment of 64 pound
shot, and, his ship, the st. Louis, wal
struck 6l times. Though suffering from
his wound, which compelled him to NOV,
about on crutches, he proceeded down tn,
Mississippi with his feet, strengthened
by the accession Of a number of morta
boats. and commenced the siege of Islanc
No. 10. After the reduction Of that plac
hs applied to the Government for q leay
Of absence, and early in MAY turned eve
his command to Capt. c. ii. Davis. au,
left for his homo in New Haven. Upor
being restored to health. he was appoint.
ed chief of the bureau of equipment and
recruiting under the pew organization o
the navy. which Office he continued I,
hold until few weeks since, he was ap
pointed to the command of the Atlanti
squadron. While on his way to assum
his new position, he was taken i'll at New
York, which has resulted in his death.
R-ar Admiral Foote'S personal appear
anee belied his we'll known aerutation 70
cOolness and courage. HIS form was bow
ed and his carriage was not possessed G
that ereetness and elasticity, the bold
martial, naughty mien obtaining with mel
who have trOd the quarter. deck through S
many years of an evenrful life. His c
was always calm and serene-his mild bio
eye as innocent in its expressions as
ehild's. lie was esrdial 10 his intercours
with all-intimate with his officers, fomil
lar with bis lowest subOrdinates, bu
always commanding their respect, aD,
securing a love which almost amounted L
idolatry. In inaction, his features wer
singularly placid, dreamy and poetic il
battle, lit up by the flames CT war, and elo
quent with the terrible inspiration of tn
hour. He could be as gentle as dove an
as terrible as a lioL. lie always counte
the cost before an engagement, but whe
the battle signal few ut the fUIe, beside IN
the CommOdore's broad penpant. eyer
man knew it meant victory or death III
hesit td at Fort Henry but when th
signal was raised, he sailed into the terri
BILE tempest of shot and shell as royalty a
kilg, clear up in the very slopes of th
doomed foit, the meantime pacing the dec
as calmly as if be wee in the drawing
room. -.l..---- -r
His affections ere very strong, an
especially clustered about his home. UDo
the very eve of leaving Cairo to attael
Columbus. a telegram resched him of tn
death Of his favorite son in Connecticut
He did not allow it to interfere with hi
duties. With pale facial viii remeu
ber5 who saw it that beautiful sprin
morning--and with streaming eyes, h
! 4. \ Al
beneath the crushing weight of grief. thC
racked with pain from his wounded ankI
aud suffering with fever. scorniag all th
advice of physicians. he sat of upon th
expedition. Pew will ever know the fear
ful burdeu of mankal and uhvaicaI snffsr