Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-06-30
From the Ner Fork Tribune Of Saturday
Rear.Admiral Du Pont.

Rear-Admiral Du Pont.
Samuel Francis Du Pont, Rear Admiral of the
United States Navy, died yesterday morning in
Philadelphia. His death would seem to have
heen sudden-certainly was unheraded aud
unexpected. and no particulars Of it have yet
been received
He WAS born at Bergen, N. j., September 81,
| 1903 desc nded from French ancestors AT
twelve he WAS mid4hipman, aud two years
later sailed lis first voyage under Commodore
Stewart. From the beginning he was devoted
to his profession, and spared no pains to master
1t. He hecame at early period widely known
for his kill, his abilities, and his high personal
| ch arncier. But in the long years Of peace
witch follow, the War Of 1872. there was little
opportunity for naval distinction till the Mexican
war broke out and found Du Pont Commander
in the frigate Congress in the Pacific In
February, le4S, he landed ut San Jose with
one hundred marines and sailors. and, defeating
aud dispensing a Mexican force hve times
numerous, rescued a small party under Lieut.,
Haywood, who had been belesguered in the
mission house. In 1856 he attained the rauk
Of Captain, and in the succeeding year WAS
placed 10 command OF the steam frgste
Minnesota, which conveyed Mr.. Reed the
American Minister 10 China. After a cruise OIL
two years in the China waters he returned Il
the United States. and on January /, 1861, was
hppOlnNtu ~ tub Cumluuuu VI tue Aulluutlpulh
; Navy-Yard. He was at that post when the war
for the Union began in April, and it is fact
not perhaps well known, but which we know
well, that to bis prompt assistance and judicious
advice Gen. Butler owed much Of his Success in
conducting the march of his regiments TO
Washington. Soon after, Captain Du Pont was
summoned TO Washington to consult in reference
to the grand naval enterprise which had been
projected for the seizure OF some port on the
Atlanta and which rpsulfpd the
world-famous Port Royal Expedition. II was in
consequence of Capt Du Points advice that Port
| Royal was chosen for attack, and he was put in
command Of the naval force 1t had been
: expect, the forts known TO defend the mouth
, of that important hHrbor could be attacked by
land and naval force together, and Gen.
z Shermans army of about 1000 men was sol
Iected to co o'operate With the armed neet.
Transports an ships Of war sailed together from
Fortress Monroe October 20. storm pursued
them nnd scattered the feet, but it WIS re-
united with incredible patience and pains,
rendeEvoused Of the entrance TO Port Royal
harbor, and on the 7th November Capt. Du Pont
attacked Fort Walker which defended the south
western entrance Of the channel Leading the
attack himself in his hagship the Wabash, he
steamed three times past the fort in elliptic
curves engaging at the same time the Rebel
feet under Tatnall. After contest OF four
hours, in the early part Of which Tatnall fled,
the fort was silenced and abandoned, aud
Du Pont had possession, with no aid whatever
= from the force under Gen Sherman, which
: from the difficulty Of landing. had been com.
PEELED to remain at distance, idle spectators oil
the conflict.
. The effect of this brilliant victory was re
q markable both upon the enemy and 10 Europe
"Gunboats" became thenceforth terror to tht
! Rebels; the Notifications the Southern coas
: were abandoned before they were attacked, aud
the feet undfr Du Pont vas looked upon OF
a inVincible In Europe the tsolies and courage
!. Of this commander were regarded for the tim'
p as having reso lutiOnized the maxfms Of nava
i. warfare. and he leapsd at once to the hghes
= pinnacle Of naval renown. European fleets haC
so recently retired bafli and defeated from
, European Notifications at Bomarsund, RnburI
and CrOnstadt that the SUCCESS Of Du Pont wa
I deemed little short of parVellous, aud wa
? attributed wholly to bis genius as naya
u commander.
He went on from that time occupying tbl
whole of the coast from Charleston to the Cape
$ | " Florida. never sustaining q revtrse, ant
reu 'er"R invaluable servic 8 to tho cause Of tb
n Union Nor let il be forgot en- that even in tina
e early stage Of the war when it was neithe
pnlitc nor fashionable to care for the negro
: Du Pnnt signalized his naval administration a
@ Port Royal by .never-failing recognition OF thu
.r rights Of the blacks to protection. When it wa
AL IFpOTFu 10 Nun tnhf one or TWO cases n0t
occurred Of slight il jury to a few negroes from
"A boats crews Of his squadron. he issued AM
a enforced stringent orders against the landing o
any boat from the feet without the wrlttel
!. permit of his Fleet Captain And from tha
y time on he was distinguished for many acts I,
y personal and official kindness, as well as justice
. to the blacks with whom he in any way cam
g in contact. Educated and living in Slay
8 State, he nevertheless believed in Justice ant
Humanity.
10 In August, 1862, he was made Rear. Admiral
u He continued in command of the South Atlantic
II Blockading Squadron, enforcing with grea
D rigor and success the blockade OF that difiicul
,r coast, and driving most of the commerce of ,b,
enemy either north Of Cape Fear or west Of th,
d Florida Capes into the Gulf Of Mexico. Ii
4 April, 1863 he made bis celebrated attack OF
q Charleston. With a force of aims vessels
carrying 80 guns all told, he undertook, in
n obedience to persmptory orders, to reduce the
fortihcations Of city Which-ns appeared
Z afterWard from the official report Of the General
u TO whom it urrendered--mouuted no less thar
u $50 pieces OF all oalibers The attack was made
E with Characteristic spirit, resolution and skill
'r but failed simply because success was Ar
10 impossibility. The causes of that failure have
been repeatedly stated in this journal, and oul
es readers know that it detraoted n no measur,
~ from the reputation Of Admiral Du Pont. H,
te pnlposed to renew it on the following morning
y Dut the unAnimops representation Of the com
is manders OF his vessels dissuaded him. Not on,
a Of the iron'cads was ht to fight
n Admiral Du Pont subsequently expressed I,
In the Navy Department his opinion that with III,
" " means at his dlSpnse it was impossible n n,,ysl
u naval attack on Charleston should he successful
y Il was nomiually for this frank declarstian n
his convictions that be was removed. hut il va
y really because be refused utterly to subserve IN
81 interests Of the iron clad contractors aud tbei
u. representatives, who were enrAged that thei
10 ships had fallen, and successfully sought I
d. displace the man who had done all he ooui
ID honestly do for them. II needed only II
IN career Of his successor to show how correct wa
b. bis judgement as to the success of a purel
w naval attack on Charleston.
Admiral Du Pont was men of rare noblenes
OF character as well as Of rare attainment- an
10 great genlus as q commander. He was qenlle
n generous, brave, alEaYs high-minded. He wa
=, equally eeloved and admired in the navy. H
y French des'ent showed itself in his ehivalrou
u manners and lofty bearing He was the idea
Of gallant sailor and . great Admiral Nor,
rt nearly than any other he was the Nelson o
'r America, and like Nelson leaves bis professior
bsrSft Of lie brightest ornament,