New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-06-24
China After cruise Of two years in The ChIns

command of the Philadelphia Navy.Ysrd. 70
Hc was at tibet post when the war for the Unioa
began In April. and il is fact not perhaps well
known, but which we know WELL that to his prmp&
assistance aud judicious advice Gen. Butler owed
much OF hrs success in conducting the march of hjs
regiments to Washington. Soon after Captain
Du Pont was summoned TO Washington to consult
in reference to tho grand naval enterprise
which had been projected for the seiz
uro of sOmo port ON the South Atlantic
coast, and which resulted in the world. famous
Port Royal Expedition. II was in consequence Of
Capt. Du Points advice that Port Royal wss
chosen for attack, and no was put in command
of the naval force. 1t had been expected the fora
known 10 defend the mouth Of that i'm.
portant harbor could be attacked by land and
naval force together, and Gen. Shernan's army Of
about IA 900 men vss collected to co6perrts with
tho armed feet. Transports and ships Of war sailed
| together from Fortress Monroe, Oct. g. A storm
pursued them and scattered the feet, but it re-
united with Incredible patience and pans, rendex.
vouscd of the entrance TO Port Royal harbor, and
On tho 9TH November, Capt. Du Pont attacked
Fort Walker which defended the south-westsTs
entrance Of the channel. Leading tho attack
himself in his flagship, the Wabash. he steamed
three times past the fort in elliptic curves, engaging
at the same time the Rebel feet under Tatnsli.
After contest of four hours in the early part Of
which Tatnal fed, the fort was silenced and eban'
doned and Du P0nt 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 spectator
Of tho conflict.
The effcot Of this brilliant victory was remnrk.
able both upon tho enemy and in Europe Gun.
boats" became thenceforh terror to the Rebels;
the for:ifcatons on the Southern coast were sban-
doued before they were attacked, and the
feet under Du Pont was looked upon ~
invincibe. In Europe the tactics and
courage Of this commander were regarded
for the timo ss having revolutionized the maxims
Of naval warfare and he lesped at to tho high.
est pinnacle Of naval renown. European fleets had
90 recently retired bsied and defeated from Euro
pean Qualifications at BOmarsund, Kinburn ana
Cronstsdt, that the success Of Du Pont was deemed
little short of marvellous, and was attributed wholly
to his genius az q naval commander.
He went on from that time occupying the whole
of the coast from Charleston to the Capes
Florida, never sustaining reverse, and rendering
invaluable services to the cause of the Union. Nor
let it DO forgotten that even in that early stage Of
the war when il was neither polite nor fashionable
to care for the negro, Du Pont signalzed his navA
administration at Port Royal by never-falng
recognition Of the rights Of the blacks TO protec-
tiou. When il was reported to him that one %
two cases had occurred Of slight injury to .
few negroes from boats crews Of his squadron,
he issued and enforced stringent orders against the
landing Of any boat from the feet wi>out the
written permit of his Fleet Captan. And rom that
time on he was distinguished for many acts OF
personal and Official kindness, Is well as
JUSTICE to the blacks with whom he in any way
cams in contact. Educated and living in Slave
State, no nevertheless believed in Justice and Hu-
mainly.
In August, 1862, he was made Rear Admiral. He
continued in command OF the South Atlantic
Blookaiing Squadron, enforcing with great rigue
and suocess the blockade of that difficult coast and
driving most OF the commerce of the enemy eithe<
north of Cape Fear or west OF tho Florida Capcs
into the Gulf OF Mexico. In April, 1863, he made
his celebrated attack on Charleston. With q force
of nine vosssls, carrying 81 guns all told, he UNDER
took, in obedience to perenptOry orders to reduce
the Qualifications Of city whchas appeared after.
ward from the official report of the General to
whom it surrondered-mountcd no less
than $50 pieces of all calitcrs. The attack
was made with characteristic spirit, resolu.
tons and skill. but failed, imply because sue
cess was an impossibty. The causes Of
TINT failure have been repeatedly stated in this
journal, and our readers know that it dctracted in
no measure from the repstation of Admiral Do
Pont. He purposed to renew it ON the following
morning. but the unanimous representation Of the
commanders Of his vessels dssuaded him. Not
one OF the ron-clsds was tit to fight.
Admiral Du Pont subsequently, expressed TO the
Navy Department his opinion that With tho meaus
OF his disposal it was impossible purely naval
attack on Charleston should be successful. 1t WAC
nominally for this frank declaration of his ocnvic-
lions that he was removed, but it was really
because he refused utterly TO subscrvo the
interests OF tho ron.clad contractors and thsl
representatives, who were cnraged that their ships
had fallen, and successfully sought to displace the
man who had done all he could honestly do fof
them. 1t needed only the career of his Successes
to show how correct WAS his Judgment as 10 the
success of purely naval attack on Charleston.
| Admiral Du Pont was man of rare mob mess OF
character rs well a. of rare attainmens and great
genius as commander He was gentle generous,
bravo, always high-mnded. Hewas equally beloved
and admired in the navy. His French descent
bearing. no wss tho ideal Of gallant sailor and