Smyrna times., 1865-06-28
Rear. Admiral CupOnt.

ing in Philadelphia. His death would seem to
have been suddcn--certainly was unheralded
and unexpected.
lie was born at Bergen, n j., September
81, 1909, descended from French ancestors.
At twelve he was mdshpman, and two years
later sailed his first voyage under Commodore
Stewart From the beginning he was devoted
to his profession, and spared no pains to mas
ter it. He became at an earl period widely
known for bis 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 DUPONT
a Commander in the frigate Congress in the
Pacific. In February, lS48, he landed at San
Jose with one hundred marines and sailors,
and, defeating and dispensing Mexican force
five times as numerous, rescued a small party
under Lieut.. Haywood, who had been beleag-
uered in the mission house. In 1856 he at
tanned the rank Of Captain, and in the succeeding
year was placed in command of the steam fri
gate MinnGota, which conveyed Mr. Reed, the
American Minister to China. After a cruise
Of two years in the China waters he returned
to the United States, and on Jan. l, 1861, was
appointed to the command of the Philadelphia
Navy Yard lie was at that post when the
war for the Union began in April, and it is fact
not perhaps we'll known, but which we know
WELL that to his prompt assistance and judicous
advice Gen. Butler owed much of his success
in conducting the march of his regiments to
Washington. Soon after, Captain DUPONT
was summoned to Washington TO consult in
reference to the great naval enterprise which
had been projected for the seizure of some port
on the South Atlantic coast, and which result
ed in the world famous Port Royal Expedition.
1t was in consequence Of Capt. DuI'Ont's ad-
vice that Port Royal was chosen for attack,
and he was put in command Of the naval force.
1t had been expected the forts known to defend
the mouth OF that important harbor could be
attacked by land and naval force together,
and Gen. Sherman army of about II, 900 men
was collected to cooperate with the armed
fleet. Transports and ships Of war sailed to-
gether from Fortress Monroe October %. 4
storm pursued them and scattered the fleet
but it was reunited with incredible patience
and pains, rendezvOused off the entrance to
Port Royal harhor, and on the 7th Of Noycln-
Der, Capt. DUPONT attacked Fort Walker
which defended the southwestern entrance Of
the channel. Leading the attack himself in his
flagship, the HubdSh. he steamed three times
past the fort in elliptic curves engaging at the
same time the Rebel feet under Tatnall AZ
ter a contest of four hours, in the early part of
which Tatnall fed, the fort was silcnceG and
abandoned, and DUPONT had possession, with
no aid whatever from the force under Gen
Sherman, which, from the difficulty Of landing,
had been compelled to remain at distance
idle spectators Of the conflict.
The effect of this brilliant victory was re-
marked both upon the enemy and in Europe
"GunbOats" became thencetOrth a terror to
the Rebels the Notifications on the Southern
coast were abandoned before theywerc attacked,
and the fleet under DUPONT was looked upon
as invincible. In Europe the tactics and cour-
age OF this commander were regarded for the
time as having rGvolutiOniZed the maXims Of
naval warfare, and he leaped at once to the
highest pinnacle of naval renown. European
fleets had 50 recently retired baf1lcd and defeat
ed from European Notifications at Bomarsund,
Alnbun and Cronstadt, that the success of
DUPONT was deemed little short of marvellous,
and was attributed wholly to his genius as a
naval commander.
He went on from that time occupying the
whole Of the coast from Charleston to the
Capes OF Florida, never sustaining a reverse,
and rendering invaluable services to the cause
OF the Union. Nor let it be forgotten that even
In that early stage of the war when it was nei-
ther polite nor fashionable TO care for the ne
gro, DUPONT signalzed his naval administra-
ton at Port Royal by a never-faling recOgni-
ton of the rights of the blacks to protection
W hen 1t was reported to him that one or two
cases had occurred of slight injury to few ne
groes from boats crews of his squadron, he is
sued and enforced stringent orders against the
landing OF any boat from the feet without the
written permit of his Fleet Captain. And
from that time on he was distinguished for
many acts of personal and official Kindness as
well as justice, to the blacks with whom he in
any way came in contact. Educated and living
IN Slave State, he nevertheless believed in
j ustice and Humanity.
In August, 1862, he was made Rcar-Admi-
raj. lie continued in command of the South
Atlantic Blockading Squadron, enforcing with
great rigor and success the blockade of that
dlfhcult coast, and driving most of the com
merce of the enemy either north of Cape Fear
or west of the Florida Capcs into the Gulf of
Mexico. In April, 1868, he made his oelebra- I
ted attack on Charleston. With force OF
nine vessels, carrying 32 guns all told, he un-
IertoOk, Ill obedience to pcrcmptory orders, to
reduce the Notifications of city whlch-aS ap- !
peared atterward from the report of the Gene.
raj to whom it rrcndered-moumted no less
than $50 pieces of all calibres. The attack was
made with characteristic spirit, resolutions and
skill, but failed, simply because success was
an impossihiity. The causes of that failure
have been repeatedly stated, and our readers
know that It detracted in no measure from the
Of Admiral DuPont. He purposcd
to renew it on the following morning, but the
representation Of the commanders |
of his vessels diSsuaded him. Not one of the /
lron-clads was fit to fight.
Admiral DUPONT subsequently EXPRESSED to
the Navy Department his opinion that with !
The means at his disposal it was impossible
purely naval attack on Charleston should be |
successful 1t was nOminally for this frank de-
'laratlon OF his convictions that he was rcmov-
ed' but 1t was really because he refused utterly
TO subserve the interests of the iron clad con
tractors; and their representatives who were
enraged that their ships had fallen, and sue
i;esstuliIy sought to dispaco the man who had
done all he could honestly do for them. 1t
needed only the career Of his successor to show
how correct was his judgment as to the success
)t purely naval attack on Charleston.
Admiral DUPONT was man of rare noble
ness of character as well as of rare attpinmentS,