The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-16
O Is e u q u x.



Josiah Tatna, at time one OF the most
prominent officers Of the United States Navy, died
at Savannah, Ca, yesterday, In the seventy
fourth year oi his age He was born at B0nayen.
tura. near Savannah, In 1897 and entered the naval
service in 1872 at the outbreak Of the last war with
Great Britain. At once ordered into active service
although mere boy, he displayed Conspicu.
GUS gallantry in the well contested but dis
astrous battle OF Bladensburg and subsequently
distinguished himself under Commodore Decatur in
the brief and brilliant Algerine In 1918 he was
commissioned a lieutenant and while commanding
a gunboat in West Indian waters was so energetic
in REFRESHING Spanish piracy that he received the
formal thanks OF the government and was presented
with service OF plate by the merchants Of Bati-
more. He was well known IN the North, having
been. in 1922 on duty ut the Brooklyn Navy Yard
and In 1899 a. that OF Charlestown, Mass.
At the outbreak OF the war with Mexico the de-
ceased, then holding the rank of comm an der was
placed in command or the 'mosquito fleet, OF
steamers and participated In the attacks on Tam
pico, Panuco ana Vera Cruz. During the lombard
ment OF the Castle of San Juan de Ullao Commander
Tatna greatly distinguished himself Tor tile hero
ism with which lie ran his vessel under fearful
ire from the Mexican guns. before the close OF the
action he was badly wounded IL the arm. Commo-
dore Ferry, in his official dispatches. spoke highly
OF his conduct. and ia recognition OF his services
his native State OF Georgia presented HIM with a
sword and the citizens OF Savannah with silver
vase.
ln 1850 he was promoted to the rank OF captatn
for gallant and meritorious servies,r ana IN 1900
he as ordered to the East Indies as nag oicer of
the East Indian squadron. While here he was the
principal actor III an event winch gave him a
European reputation. The war between China and
Great Britain was wagina la 1859 aud In June or
that year he was ut Tue mouth or the Pelho
river observing the operations OF the beigerents
A portion OF the British feet was surprised by
the Chinese who. in great force opened severe
fire upon the vessels and very soon placed 1t in i'm.
minent peril In this emergency Captain Tatna.
who had been watching the action. came 10 the
He accordingly towed the British reserves into
action and thus enabled the British to gain VIC
tory. Subsequently ne passed through the hottest
IRE IN a barge and paid visit TO Admiral
Hope the commander or the British fleet. VINO
had been wounded. Although. III giving aid
to the enemies OF the Chinese he had vio.
lated the neutrality OF the United States,
conduct received the verbal appreciation OF Presi-
dent buchanan himself, ana. as might he supposed,
he was officially rendered the thanks of her Maestys
government delivered through Lord Lyons, the
British Minister at Washington. Previous TO TINS
Captain Tatnall's support OF Minister Townsend
ing treaty with Japan ELECTED the ackno wledgment
OF the Japanese government for the able manner IN
which he had aided IN smoothing over difficulties
and forwarding the negotiations.
On the breaking out OF the rebellion in 1861 Cap
rain Tatnail was IN command OF The naval station at
the warmest sympathy for the South and q sincere
believer in the doctrine OF the right OF secession 1t
was not unnatural for him TO tender his resignation
Immediately upon the Convention OF Georgia passing
the ordinance OF secession. or the sincerity OF
his motives there can be no question, however
deeply his action may be dcplored ana however
strongly IL may be condemned. lie gave up one OF
the most prominent positions In the United States
Navy to accept commission from the State of
Georgia, whose navy was humorousiy declared to
consist OF a few fat boats on the ChattahoOchee
river. On the organization OF the Coniederacy he
was made captain in the rebel navy and ordered
10 Charleston, where he improvIscd a fleet, with
which he offered some resistance TO the Union otIlla
during the attack Port Royal. He renamed In the
Confederate service throughout the war; but did
little TO distinguish himse doubtless because there
was rebel navy capable OF meeting the Union
fleet on equal terms. He was a man Oh ability and
galantry, ana was popular with all who knew him.
Prior to the suppression OF the rebellion he was
made a commodore by JEFF Davis.
The despatch announcing MS death states that he
Will be buried at Bonaventura the place OF his
birth.