Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-06-14
The Late Captain Colvocoresses.

IuC 1dbC Ncl1A SO-FOSSA N9SNS
Ia our issue Of the 9th inst, We stated one CT
two facts in the early history Of Captain George
Colvocoresses who Was found brutslly murdered
in Bridgeport. Conn on the night Of the 3rd
inst, which were net entirely correct. We
learn from enc Of cur citizens who knew him in
his boyhoOd. the following interesting facts
George Colyocoresses was native Of the Island
OF Sco, once called the paradise OF modern
Greece. His father w.s s trsdssmsn Of contid-
cradle reputation At the time Of that most horri-
bic ,scking Of Soio by the Turkish Asisiic,, il
April 1922, BY which the once beautiful and
celebrated islsnd w.s utterly desolated and over
l25, 900 Of its inhabitants we're slaughtered or
met with a worse fate in the slsve market OF
Cons;sntinople, the family Of young ColyocoreF-
De. we're doubtless all destroyed, SIS no further
trace Of any of them az subsequently iiscoy-
cred. Young George was smuggled on board Of
an American merchantmen from Baltimore,
which was st that tine lying of the harbor Of
Scio. The captain of the vessel, rympEthizing
strongly with the sad condition of the youth,
gave him protection and brought him to Balti
more on his return voyage. Here he w4s com
nitted by hi, new friend 20 the charge
of \ tailor in that city to learn the trade While |
thus situated his history became known to Gen. |
Robert G Harper, an eminent philanthropst |
and citizen Of Baltimore, who Immediately msE
ifestel great interest in the young Greek, and |
took pains to attract attention to the circum-
stances Of his case through the public press.
These interesting facts having been brought to
the knowledge Of the late Captain Alden Part
ridge, the founder and then in charge Of the
Military Academy at Norwich, in this State,
he at once communicated with Gen. Hsrper,
stating bis willingness to formally adopt and
educate the boy. This generous offer being re-
gsrded Is most favorable opportunity for him,
Gen. Harper At once caused him to be placed in
the hands of Capt. Partridge. The appearance
of the young Greek at this time, (l82i) as told
US by our informant, Joseph D. Allen, Esq,
who was a cadet in the academy st the time, was
that Of q lad ten or at most twelve years Of age,
possessing a stocky, well knit form, active in his
!
dark complexion, clear black eye
and dark, almost black hair. He soon won
the respect Snd love Of his fellow
students by his confdug but decided manner,
knd the spirit cf plucky determination which
Afterwird, go strongly characterized him ana
contributed co much to his success as naval q.
fcer. Here he was kept at school by Capt Par
fridge, improving his advantages till February.
1882, when the Captain procured him an ap-
pointmeut in the United States Navy from Yer
mont. lie was attached to the Mediterranean
squadron in 1867; promoted to Passed Mid t
,hipman June %, 1888; was on the great Wilkes
exploring expedition from 1898 to 1912; made
Lieutenant October Z, 1913; on the Pacific
squadron 1916. ard on the Mediterranean
agsin 1919. On the coast Of Africa, 1851 >.
the receiving ship, New York, 1855; ''oe .,t
India squadron 1868; Portsmouth y avn ,.r5
ls5s-G0; commanded s:Ore-,hip S. ,,,,, 1876 STA.
made Commander July l, J 81. comma. dsd
he ,loop Saratoga. 1864; md The ,loon s,
Mary, in the Pacific So H. 1sc5e- COM
r' OAP'.H and retired in 1867.
~ ~ is squadron, he took part
n the brilliant ca of :. R,--isr Fort, >, M
-e OshV'n nv T, under the command Of Com
nOdore A''S trong, the same fight in which the
late A@@a' al Foote. Of New Haven, bore such
ini.as' ,hed part Capt. Colvocoresses distin-
guam ID himself during the late rsr, and re
share of prizes captured. At the time of his de-
cease he was a member of the Nsvsl-Retiring |
Board al New York.
The deceased was about sixty years Of sge, and |
leaves . wife, four daughters and one son, who is
sr ensign IN the navy. He had resided at Itch
field some fifteen years, and Was highly respected |
and esteemed by those who are acquainted with |
him. He was man OF considerable |
wealth, and we are informed had re-
Gently taken insurance on hiE life for Sl93, 900 |
During our civil war, and while the contest be- |
tween Chill and Spain was q, its height, Cap |
Colvocoresses was in command Of the corvette 4
St Marys, then comprising our whole effective |
force in South American waters. The Spanish
nee' having tureseeneu u DoMotiu 'aipArheo,
the St Marys proceeded there to guard the in
tere.ts Of American citizens. and anchored di-
directly between the Spanish iron-clsds and the
business portion Of the city, SO that in case Of
bombardment she would be in direct line Of the
Spanish fire. Admiral Pruzon. who commanded
the Spanish feet, being DESTROYS of opening FIRE,
and afraid Of insulting the American flag, wrote
letter to Captain Colvocoresses informing him
that IL he did not shift his anchorage, he must
consider himself responsible for any damage
which might happen to the corvette in the event
OF the bombardment. This reused the "Greek
ars" In the Captains nature, and be replied to
he spsniasdin fiery letter, warning him Of