The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1868-12-10
Commodore Vanderbilt and the
war.

nave reason to know that Its statements
are strictly correct. As an act of justice
to Commodore Vanderbilt, and as an IL
lustration of his prompt, liberal and dis
interested patriotism, It is worthy of pres
eryation among the most interesting Incl
dents of our great civil war:
To the editors of the Eoening Post: No
private citizen has probably ever shown
more patriotism than Cornelius Wander
bit. His hberality to the Government
during the darkest period of the rebellion
should be recorded IN the heart OF every
true American, and his example handed
down to animate remotest ages. All this
was proved in this way Mr. Stanton,
while Secretary of War, had, from his
scouts within the rebel lines, ascertained
that the rebels had about completed their
iron-clad called the Merrimac, and that
she would soon leave Richmond, prepar ed
to destroy our feet and burn our towns,
without meeting with any power that
could probably resist her The whole
country was alarmed, as well as the Gov
ernment.
Under these circumstances special
agent was directed by telegraph to wait
upon Commodore Vanderbilt at eleven
o'clock at night and ask him for what sum
OF money he could agree to blockade this
iron clad and keep her from getting out
of port Commodore Vanderbilt instant
ly said to the agent: Telegraph to Mr..
Stanton that I viii see him at once and
went Immediately to Washington, called
upon Mr.. Stanton, and said to him: II
have come ON about this business. Who
is there to be consulted If any one, call
him, as | have no time to talk it over
twice" Mr.. Stanton replied, ''The Pres
ident, Mr.. Lincoln, must be consulted"
Chen, said the Commodore, ''let us go
to his house at once" which they did
Mr.. Lincoln said s'Can you stop the
iron clad?" The Commodore replied
eyes, at least there are nine chances out
of ten can. [ viii take my ship, the
G.. Vanderbilt, cover her machinery, &C.,
with 800 bales of cotton, raise the steam,
and rush her with overwhelming force on
the iron clad, and sink her before she can
! ase<Ie, or cripPlo U.S. Dir. LINCOLN then
said .Hov much money will you demand
for such a service" Commodore Van
derbilt replied that the Government had
not money enough to hire him; that he
had not come to speculate upon the trials
of his country, but to try and help her in
this hour of need; that he would give
them his ship without charge; that he
would instantly order her by telegraph to
be equipped and on her way toward Rich
mond in thirty-six hours, which was done,
she sailing under the order of one Of his
own captains, and the Commodore in per-
son on board
Having reached Hampton Roads, among
our blockading squadron, the Commander
of the feet went on board the ship. After
some consultation, Commodore Vanderbilt
asked him if the iron clad would probably
come out The commander replied: ''She
will" ''Then," said Commodore Van
derbilt, II have one favor to ask of you,
and that is, if she should come you will
keep your feet out of the way, that /
NAV have room to sink her" The iron
clad. rs is we'll known, did como out, and
was disabled and put back by the Moni-
tor sent from New York. The object
being accomplished, Commodore Wander
bilt left his ship and came home, and has
never asked or received Cne cent for his
shin. ever since held as Government prop
erty. and which at the moment they took
her was worth fully 81 ,500, Goo Instead
of giving them this sum, he could have
made almost any terms for himself
This interview with the President and
Secretary at once enabled them to see
that they had in their presence an extra
ordinary man Mr. Lincoln said, "Can
you not turn one Of your other ships into
an iron-clad ?" ''Yes," was the reply, Il
think can, and have her ready in six
weeks; but must first consult my engin
eers and head builders; my price for this
smaller ship will be $500, 600" MIR. Lin
cola turned to MIR. Stanton and said =
"We accept these terms-it is a bargain"
Commodore Vanderbilt at once gave or
ders to equip this smaller ship, and see If
she was capable for what she was intend
ed. After some time, during which she
had been nearly cGsed IN bar iron, the
Commodore found, to his regret, that he
could not make her what was needed, and
he at once released the Government from
their contract, and thus relieved his noble
gift from all suspicion of receiving with it
any pecuniary advantage.
These great transactions should be COM
memorated ON canvas. The historian will
charge himself with the duty of handing
them down to posterity; the school books
will contain the account, and the eyes OF
children yet unborn will glisten as they
road and reflect upon such true and lofty
patriotism which is an Invaluable inherit
ance to our country, anu should be placed
on the same shelf with the archives where
are deposited the famous deeds of our most
distinguished men.
| Noble, generous and selfsacrifcing as
all this is, It's brilhancy is obscured by the
absence of all ostentation in the quiet, re-