North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-06-28
Death of Admiral Dupont.

twelve years of age, made the beginning of
those long years OF honorable aud useful SER
vice which are now brought toa too early
close. Though of French parenrage on the
fathers side, he was born in this country,
in Bergen, New Jersey, on the 9th Of Sep
tembfr, 1902. and was; consequently, net
quite sixtytwo years old ct the time of his
death. e 'mmencing his experience in the
navy at period when there was most pride
and the greatest spirit Of concluslvencss IN
the profession, he by faithful attention and
application has won the honors which We're
bestt wed upon hun. His frst crime was in
the Franklin, an old ly-f,ur- gun ship,
under Commodore Stewart. HIS profession
at first came slow, and Was only earned by
perseverance in his studies and patience un-
der official neg lect. We next hear of hun in
half military, half naval exploit, when in
February, lS48 he landed at San Jose with
force OF one hundred marines and sailors,
defeated and scattered force OF Mexlcans
were endeavoring to make prisoners. 1t was
not until 1856, after nearly forty years sell
vice, that he was promoted to the rank of
captain. 10 1857 he was appointed to the
command of the steam frigate Minnesota,
which was sent to China, with Mr.. Re I'd, the
American minister. His cruise this time was
quite an extended one, and shortly alter his
returning IN January, 1861, he was appointed
to the command of the Philadelphia navy
yard,
Thus at the commencement of the rebe H.
ion in the suppression of which he was TO
perform SO distinguished g. parr, he occupied
the position Of captain in the navy, aHd with
almost his entire acquaintance aud associa-
tions among those who cast their lot with
the Southern States. He had but one
thought, to maintain the honor of the flag
and the unity of tie country. West POINT
graduates for army p.sti,n ms were many
compared with the few among our naval uffi.
GERS who were qualified by experience for
the comnand of large naval squadrons. In
TACT, there never had been the opporLunlt,
previous:to this war, MS our navy was so
small that feet commanders for such fnrilla,
as We have had lately would have been tho,
no less than fiction.
In the summer Of l49l, be. among Others
wes consulted by the Secretary Of the Navy,
with a view to the establishment Of some
convenient and central military and naval
depot, with safe harbor on the southern
coast, preparatory TO operations agans; the
interior. His judgment was at once giver
:ur Port Boyal, and ho vas snon after put in
mand uf the South \ !anIic bluckadlns
squadron, WI h The h,re especial duty Of at
tacking ard taking pnssessi IN ns Port Rnal
The Wabash had been especially hIued ur
Ior his flag ship and lie sal ed from T, rires>
Monroe, on the 29th of October, acculnpa
MED by a fleet of fifty vessels, including the
transports conveying the land forces under
Gen. 1. w. Sherman. The attack on the
two strong forts at Hilton Head and Bay
Point, defending the harb"r OF Port Royal
which Immediately followed, at once gave
nag officer Dupont name as fully apprpcia
ted IN Europe as in this county. The yes-
sells Of the squadron, led by the flagship, for
'our hours sal led around upon circle delv-
ering their fire at each fort as they passed
with most remarkable s,eadiuess and accura-
cy. The enemy, at the end of this time,
evacuated their works, abandoning every
thing but their muskets. The bpldness IN
thus attacking strong forts with wooden
ships, and at short range, the precision OF
the movements. and the beautiful appearance
of the fleet, excited universal admiration
The advantage which the possession of So
desirable naval depot gave, was soon fol-
lowed up by most vigorous oderations against
the whole sou hern coast, and the effective.
ness of our blockading force was thus largely
increased. In August, 1862, lie was nomi
mated by the President as rear admiral
Some time afterward he had his celebra ted
dispnte with Dahlgren as to the use of the
heavy ordnance and the general effectiveness
of our blockading force was thus largely in
| creased. In August, 1862 he was nominated
by the President as rear admiral. Some
time afterward he had his celebrated d spute
with Dah'gren as 10 the use Of the heavy
ordnance, and the general effectiveness and
invulnerability of the monitors. There were
few oficers Of the navy of long experiences
who did not give the weight of their Judge
ment in support of his opinion, and suhseo
quent events most fully bore out his action
Many OF the losses which took place in
Charleston harbor might never have befallen
us il his advice had been followed.
Admiral Duponts acquaintance with the
service extends over every branch, and he
has been practically familiar with the details
OF every department. The Lighthnu-e
Board, and :he boards for providing a code
of rules 'r the training and for the examina