Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1873-11-29
CAPTAIN FRY.

A correspondent writing to the Balti
more Gazette relative to the death OF
Captain Fry, says g From q few
months intimate acquaintance with
him during our war, [ gathered from
his ps a few incidents OF his life. He
was born in Florida, and served many
years in the United States navy from
the latter he resigned to join the confed-
eracy, in which he held the rank OF
lieutenant. As spch he served on the
Mississippi, first nder the command
and on the flagship of Commodore Hol
Inns, at New Orleans, After the fall of
that city he had command of small
gunboat which the Federal fleet drove
into one of the smaller Western rivers,
the White, / think, and, finding it
impossible to save her, he burnt his
boat, landed his battery on bluff, and
opened q fire that SUM-, one Of his pur-
suers and drove the remainder of. The
fleet, however, returned, and throwing
body of some five hundred marines in
his rear, while some four or five stsam-
ers opened on his front, made it hot for
his two guns and sixty or seventy men.
Fighting all around to tho bitter end,
Fry never did surrender, and the first
knowledge he had of the battles finish
WIS when restored to consciousness in a
federal hospital, when he found himself
severely 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 exchange
ed and was assigned to duty, his wound
breaking out afresh compelled him re.
luctantly to yield regular service, and,
still suffering with his shoulder and
semi-paralyzed arm, he undertook the
lighter duty of commanding confeder.
ate steamer, the Eugene, in the block
ade running.
In this steamer, one of the few sailing
regularly under the confederate flag,
Captain Fry approved himself skilful,
daring commander, and was uniformly
successful. On one occasion the Eu-
genie, loaded with gunpowder, ground
ed outside of Fort Fisher under the
guns of the blockading squadron, and
when, in view of the heavy cannonade
which was opened upon her, he was
commanded from the fort, from Will
mington, and finally from Richmond, to
abandon his boat and save his crew
from what was considered the inevitable
explosion, Fry positively refused to do
so stood by his ship, lightened her,
got good tide, and carried her safely
ina measure of cool gallantry not
easily surpassed, as he was utterly de-
fenceless, carrying no armament. He
simply stood the chance of being blown
mp, 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 with
drawn to superintend the construction
OF torpedoes, and for that purpose went
to Scotland, where the closing of the
ports rendered his efforts fruitless. After
the war heard of him in New Orleans,
working on some patents for saving
ships and curing timber, and very poor.
or his connection with the Cnbans /
know nothing, and can only suppose his
poverty and natural love of adventure
combined to bring about his murder.
Personally he was a tall, well-made,
handsome man, with the most mesmeris
eyes l have ever seen, having great pow
er of control, both over himself and
others.
His mind was remarkably good and
we'll cultivated. He was deep reader
and thinker, fond of specializing on ab-
struse subjects, and apt to be led by
his genius to extreme views. In dis
position he was sweet, but firm temper
ed II true friend anu strong enemy.
not given, perhaps, to q large circle,
but very social and conversible with his
intimates, and, withal, as modest as
brave. This slight sketch of the man
may serve to throw some light on his
surrender. AS an old naval officer, hav
ing personal experience of the laws of
blockade, he both knew the legal limits
OF his liability if captured, and trusted
the flag he bore for protection from all
other penalties Had the Virginius
been Cuban p ivateer, as alleged, as
such she would have carried q battery,
and Captain Fry would never have sur
rendered without resistance. Had he
borne Cuban commission three or
four shots over his steamer, within
reach almost OF Jamaica's coast, would
never have brought him to. The truth
must be he commanded an American
steamer, aud believed that the flag un-
der which he had SO long served, and
which had conquered him, could and
would insure him at least civilized treat.
ment.