Weekly Delaware State journal and statesman. (Wilmington, Del.) 18??-18??, 1865-06-30

Samuel Francis Du Pout, Rear Admiral Of the
United States Navy. died yesterday morning IN
Philadelphia. His death would seem TO have
been sudden-certainly was unberalded aud
unexpected, and no particulars of it have yet
been received. -
He was born at Bergen, N. j., September ", |
1903, descended from French ancestors. AT
twelve he was midshipman, and two years
later sailed his first voyage under Commodore
Stewart. From the beginning be was devoted
to his profession, and spared no pains to master
II. He became at an early period widely known
for his skill, his abilities, and his high personal
character But in the long years OF peace
which followed 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 Paoihc. In
February, 1e4s. he landed at San Jose with
| one hundred marines and sailors, and, defeating
erd disnersiug Mexican force five times as
numerous, rescued a small party under Lieut..
| Heywood. who had been beleaguered in the
| uissiop house In 1866 he attained the rauk
Of Captain, and in the succeeding year was
placed in commend OF the steam frigate
Minnesota, which conveyed Mr. Reed the
American Minister to China. After cruise OIL
TWO years in the China waters he returned 10
the United States. and on January l, 1861, was
appointed to the command Of the Philadelphia
+ | NAFy-1ArQ Ilt WAC ut hhof PSof 49,
for the Union began in April, and il is fact
not perhaps we'll known, bat which we know
we'll, that to his prompt assistance and judiclous
advice Gen. Butler owed much OF his success In
conducting the march Of his regiments TO
+ Washington. Boon 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 por' on tne
South Atlantic coast. and which resulted IN tne
. world-famous PORT Royal Expedition ~ was II
: oopseou, nee of Capt. Du Points advice that Por
Roval was chosen for attack, AMI he was put IL
oommand of the naval force 1t bad beer
z expeot, d the forts known to defend the moutt
. | 81 that importaut harbor could be aitsnks1 ol
a land and naval foics together Rpd 0ep
v sberman's army Of about $4,000 men was col
Ieoted to co operate with The AIMED Meet
Transports and ships Of var sailed together iron
l. Fortress Monroe, October 20. storm pursued
them and scattered the feet, but 1t was re
:, united with incredible patience and pains
d rendezvoused off the entrance to Port Roya
r herbor, and OH the 9TH November, Capt. Du Pom
attacked Fort Walker which defendedthe south
% western entrance of the channel. Leading tn
attack himself in his flagship, the Wabash, b
steamed three times past the fort IN eliptl
IS curves. engaging at the same time the Rebs
feet under Tatnall. After contest Of fou
hours, in the early part Of which Tatnall hed
the fort was silenced and abandoned, an
Du Pont had possession, with no aid whateve
10 from the force under Gen. Sherman, which
IL from the difficulty Of landing, had been con
i'd nelled to remain at distance idle spectators
the conflict.
~ The effect of this brilliant victory was n
n msrkable both upon the enemy and III Europ
K. "Gupbosts" becsme thepceforth terror to II
IN Rebels the Notifications on the Southern Goa
n were abandoned before they were attacked, on
the deet under Da Pont was looked upon
IN ipyiucible In Europe the tactics aud courai
= of this commander were regarded for the tin
r as having rewolutionized the maxims Of pny
OF warfare, aud he leap.d at once to the highe
VI pinnacle of naval renown. European fleets hi
40 recently retired baffi d and defeated fro
Europeap Notifications at BoDarsund, kinbu
ro and Cronstadt, that the success Of Du Pont VI
II, deemed little short Of marvellous, aud "
tn attributed wholly to his genius as nav
OF commander.
lis He went on from that time occupying I
whole Of the coaet from Charleston to the Cap
u.s. Of Florida, never sustaining a reverse, a
P. rendering invaluable services to the cause Of I
in Union. Nor let 1t be forgotten that even in II
.oe early stage Of the var when it was neith
polite nor fashionable to care for the neg
al Du Point signazed his naval administration
no Port Royal by never-fsing recognition Of
,sr rights Of the blacks to protection. When it "
.;al reported to him that one or two cases b
iA' occurred Of slight injury to a few negroes fir
boats crews OF his squadron, he issued a
'eo enforced stringent orders against che landing
re- any boat from the feet without the writ
permit of his Fleet Captain. Aud from Il
18th time on he was distinguished for many acts
OF personal and official kindness, as well as just
lie, to the blacks with whom he in any way ca
me in contact Educated and living in Sll
ers State, be nevertheless believed in Justice Q
Humsnity.
ace In August, 1852. be was made Rear Admir-
lhe He continued In command Of the South Altar
was Blocksding Squadron, enforcing with gr
no. rigor and success the blockade Of that dffc
asr coast, and driving most OF the commerce Of
enemy either north Of Cape Fear or west Of
"a Flnrds Capss into the Gulf Of Mexico.
-. April, 1868, he made his celebrated attack
~ Charleston. With Q force Of nine vessl
afs carrying 90 guns all told, be undertook,
obedience TO peremptory orders, to reduce
IN fortihoatious Of city whioh-as appea
Irly afterward from the Official report Of the Gene
'urt to whom II urrendered--mounted no less Il
Of $50 pieees Of all calibers The attack was mi
ier- with Characteristic spirit. resolution and 81
, or but failed. simply because success was
,me mporsibiiiiy The causes Of that failure b.
been repeatedly stated in this Journal and
ates readers know that IL detracted In no meas
day from tho reputation OF Admiral Du Pont.
ots purposed to renew ii on the following morni
ncv but the unanimous representation Of the O.
II y manders OF his vessels dissusisd him. Not
Las | Of the iron-clads was fl to fight
ali Admiral Du Pont subsequently expressed
IL the Navy Department his opinion that with
lrn means at his disposal it was impossible pu
me naval attack on Charleston should be success
ION It was nominally for this frank declaration
oth, his convictions that be was removed, but it
lore really because he refused utterly to subservs
beet interests Of the iron clad contractors and t
rust. representatives, who were enrsged that
the ships had fallen, aud successfully sough
he'd displace the man who had done all he Q
ated honestly do for them It needed only
,sian career Of his successor to show how correct
7th. his judgement as to the success Of pt
own navsi attack on Charleston.
Admiral Du Pont was man of rare noble
Of character as well as Of rare attachments,
great genius IS 8 commander. He was re
the generous. brsye always high-minded He
lrch, equally beloved sBd admired in the navy.
tstes French descent showed Itself in bis chiyal
even manners and lofty besring. He was the
al. Of a gallant sailor and great Admii.sl,
Zn~ ~ 4 - -.