The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1873-12-10

A correspondent Of the Baltimore
Gazette contributes t he following
brief account of Capt. Joseph FRY. the
late commander of the Vireinias:
'From few months intimate ac0uaip
lance with him during our war, I
gathered from his lips few incidents
of his life. He was born in Florida
and served many years in the United
States Navy; from the latter he resign
ed to join the Confederacy, in which
he held the rank of Lieutenant. As
such he served on the MississiDDi.
first under the command and on flag
ship OF Commodore Hollins of New
Orleans. After the fall of that city he
had command of q small gunboat
which the Federal fleet drove into one
of the smaller Western rivers-tbe
White, ! thinli--and finding it imposs-
lille to save her, he burned his boat
landed his battery on u bluff, and
opened a fire that sunk one Of his pur-
sners and drove the remainder Off
The fleet, however, returned, and
throwing body of some 500 marines
in his rear, while some four or five
steamers opened on his front, made it
hot for his two guns and sixty or sew
enty men. Fighting all around to the
bitter end, Fry never did surrender,
and the first knowledge he had of the
battles finish Was when restored to
consciousness in a. Federal hospitaI.
when he found himself wounded in the
shoulder, and learned that his little
band had been nearly all killed or
wounded before the bluff was taken.
After he was exchanged and was as
signed to daty, his wound breaking
ont asresh, compelled him reluctaatly
to yield regular service, and still SUI
fering with his shoulder and a semi
paralyzed arm, he undertook the light
er duty of commanding q Confederate
steamer, the Eugenie, in the blockade
running. In this steamer, one of the
few sailing regularly under the Con-
federate flag, Capt. Fry approved him
self a skillful, daring commander, and
was uniformly successful. On one oc-
casion the Eugene, loaded with gun
powder, grounded outside Of Fort
Fisher, under the guns of the blocka-
ding squadron, and when, in view of
the heavy cannonade which was OPEN
ed upon her, he was commanded from
the fort, from Wilmington, and finally
from Richmond, to abandon his boat
and save his crew from what was con
sidered the inevitable explosion. Fry
positively refused to do so; stood by
his ship, lightened her safely in, a
measure of cool gallantry not easily
surpassed, as he was utterly defense
less, carrying no armament. He SIM
ply stood the chance of being blown
up without the excitement of battle to
sustain his nerve, while on the other
hand the adjacent coast made escape
easy. From this service Fry was
withdrawn to superintend the con-
struction of torpedoes, and for that
purpose went to Scotland, where the
closing of the ports rendered his efforts
fruitless. After the war I heard of
him in New Orleans, working on some
patents for saving ships and curing
timber, aud very poor. OF his con-
nection with the CuLans 1 know moth
ing, and can only suppose his poverty
and natural love of adventure COM
bined to bring about his murder
Personality, lie was a tall, we'll made,
handsome man, with the most mesmer-
ic eyes | ],aye ever seen, having great
power Of control both over himself
and others. His mind was remarks
bly, good aud well cultivated. He
was deep reader and thinker, fond
OF specializing on abstruse subjects
and apt TO be led by his genius to OK
IRENE views. Ia disposition he was
sWeet-tempered, but firm; true
friend and IL strong enemy--not given,
perhaps, TO large circle, but very So
clal and consersible with his intimates,
aud, witlial. as modest as brave.
This slight sketch of the man may
serve TO throw some light on bis sur
render. As in old navy officer, bav-
Ing personal experience of the laws of
blockade, he both knew tho legal lin
Its OF his liability if captured and
trusted the flag he bore for projection
from all other penalties. Had the |
f,nslnius been Cuban privateer, as
alleged, as such she would have car
red Il battery, and Capt. Fry would
never have surrendered without resis-
lance. Had he borne u Cuban com
mission, three or four shots over his |
Steamer, within reach almost of ia
ma'ca,s coast, would never have
brought him 10. The truth must be |