Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-07-12
ANOTHER HERO GONE.
DEATH OF ADMIRAL DAHlGREN,

DEATH Of ADMIRAL DAHLGREN.
Our community was shocked this NOR niag by
tne sad intelligence Of the sudden death 1T the
washington Navy Yard Of Rear Admiral John
A. Dahlgren, one Of the most illustrioas Of our
naval heroes. While the nation will mourn his
being cut of in the midst Of his usefulness, the
grief here, where he made his home, Ss deeper
and all feel Il as q personal bereavement. He
was at the tine Of his death Comm sndant Of
the Navy Yard in this city.
The Death Scene.
Admiral Dahlgrea had been complaining
siightly for several days, but did not keep his
house; nor was it thought that he required the
services of physician. Yesterday afternoon,
about 4o'clock, Dr. W. j. johnson, Surgeon of
the Yard, called to see him at his residence, and
found him suffering with severe pain under
the lever end Of the breast bone, and also from
oppression on his breast. DR.. j. prescribed for
him, and subsequently DIR. ". P. johnson called
to see him and thought he was better. Last
night he retired, as usual, but was rather
restless. This morning ne was well enough to
get up for his breakfast and also to give some
orders to Mr.. Lewis, the messenger of the yard.
The servant girl had Just left the room when
and found that he had got up from the chair and
thrown himself upon the sofa Mrs. Dahlgren
at once came in and Surgeon johnson was sent
for and responded promptly, but when he ar
rived the sufferer was beyond relief, aud, after
two or three gasps, he died, not uttering q word
his pulse having ceased when DIR. johnson
reached him.
Captain Patterson and other officers OF the
Yard we're soon at the residence Of the Atmi-
raj, and word was immediately sent to the Nary
Department and friends of the family through
out the city. Admiral Smith, Chief OF the Bu-
reaa Of Yards and Docks, called on Mrs. Dahl
gren soon after the death Of the Admiral, and
after learning her wishes gave the necessary di-
rections as to the body, and sent to Harvey g.
Mari to make the preparations for the funeral.
Mr. Gen. Sherman was one of the first to call
on Ars. Dahigren, and the General soon after
called.
1t is not yet determined where or when the
funeral will take place. He married his first
wife in Philadelphia, and she and some of his
children are buried at Laurel Hill, near that
city.
His death was caused by disease Of the heart.
There is but little doubt he was stricken by
death when his sufferings commenced 90 me days
ago, and nothing but his indomitable strength
of will kept him engaged IN the performance OF
his duties mp to the last day Of his life. Duty
was paramount with him, and he was never
known TO be turned aside from any right pur-
pose by difficulty or danger.
HIS Life. and Services Dur,u~ th.
Rebellion.
John A. Dahlgren was born in Philadel-
phia on the 18th day of November. 1909.
He was appointed Mdshipman from the State
of Pennsylvania, February 1st, 1926. His first
cruise was in the frigate Macedonian, on the
Brazil Squadron, In the years 1877 %; he was
attached to the soOp-of-war Ontario on the
Mediterranean Squadron, in 1S39-33 he was
promoted to Passed Midshlpman, April 10Th,
1882; he was on coast survey duty, from 1886 to
ls42 he was commissioned as Lieutenant March
sth, 1881; he was attached to the frigate Cumber-
land, on the Mediterranean Squadron, 1sii-45;
he was on ordnance duty from 1S7 to 1857
during which time he perfected the invention
OF the famous Dahlgren gun; he was commits
sioned as Commander, September 14th, 1855
he commanded the ordnance ship Plymouth,
1859; and was on ordnance duty at Navy Yard,
Washington, 1s6O-61.
At the breaking out Of the rebellion, the Com
mandant and most of the officers attached TO the
Washington Navy Yard resigned their commits
sons, and went South. Commander DahIpren
was true among the faithlees, and, as a recoe-
milton OF his answering loyalty, President
Lincoln appointed him the Commandant OF the
Washington Navy Yard; he was commissioned
as Captain, July 18th, 1862, and shortly after
wards appointed Chief OF Bureau OF Ordnance.
He was promoted to Rear Admiral, February
7th, 1868, and in the summer following assumed
command Of the South Atlantic Blockadins
Squadron, relieving Rear Admiral Dupont. as
suning command of the squadron uly 9th, 1863
A combined operation Of naval and army forces,
the latter under General Gilmore, was institu
ted Tor the occupation and possession Of Morris
Island, on the south side Of the entrance into
Charleston harbOr. After long and severe
struggle, the army operating upon land, with
the efficient cooperation Of the monitors and
the New Ironsides, Morris Island, with all its
batteries, was captured, and Fort Sumter was
soon made pile OF ruins by the fierce artillery
Of the combined forces.
The feet Of Admiral Dahlgren remained in
side the bar, and after the capture OF Morris
Island, blockade running, so far as Charleston
was concerned, was at an end.
In February, 1864, successful expedition.
commended by Rear Admiral Dshlgren in
person, ascended the st. Johns river, to aid a
military force intended to be thrown into
Florida e.
On the 18th Of December, 1864, General Sher-
man, having successfully accomplished his
nAeiSn W e&AO cCo, TcSCueu I0e vicinity
Savannah, and cODm1nicatiOn between him and
Rear Admiral Dahlgren was Immediately estab
iished. The latter made the best possible dis
position Of the vessela under his command 10
assist the army m obtaining possession of Sa-
sannah, which was occupied By General Sber.
man on the 2lst Of December. "d
On the morning OF the 18th OF February 1855
the city Of Charleston was evacuated by the
rebel forces, and Rear Admiral DahlQren NJ
once moved his vessels up to the city.
The evacuation Of Charleston was followed by
that Of Georgetown, on February ed, and on
the 18th Of that month the place itself was occu-
pied by Rear Admiral Dahlgren.
In 1856, Rear Admiral Dahlgren was ordered
TO the command Of the South Pacific SQUADRON.
and returned from that service In 1865, and wss.
for the second time, appointed Chief OF Bureau
Of Ordnance. In the fall Of 1869, he was ordered
to the command Of the Washington Navy Yard.
where be served to the time of his death.
Admiral Dahlgrsn received vote Of thanks
from Congress on the 7th Of February, 1853, for
distinguished service in the line Of his profs.-
sion. 4 n 0rx1n n,nrn Ix,c.