Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-05-22
From the Norfolk Eirg inian.
Death OF Admiral Franklin bH-
chanIM,

Admiral Franklin Buchanan. for
merly of the Confederate States Navy,
died of pneumonia on Monday night,
the 18th instant, at his home, 1.-The
Rest" Miles river, Talbot county,
Maryland, aged II years. He was a
native of Maryland, ard was the young
est son Of Dr. Geo. Buchanan, prom
inent physician of Baltimore of the
last century, one Of the founders OF
the medical department of the tniTer-
sity of Maryland. His mother was
daughter of Hon. Thomas Mexican, Of
PENNSYLVANIA, signcr of the Dec.ara-
ton Of Independence, also Judge
and Governor Of The State. He en-
tered the United States Navyat an carly
age. and rose to the rank of Captain. lie
vas ut one time an officer III the United
States Naval Exploring Expedition in
Chinese waters, and subsequently, du-
ring the Mexican war, commanded the
United States sloop-of-war German
town. which vessel co-operated with
the land forces in the capture of Vera
Cruz At the breaking out OF the late
war Of the States Admiral Buchanan
was in command of The Maynard at
Washington. which position, with his
commission in the -nited States Navy,
he resigned in april, 1861. For sew
eral mourhs he took 10 active part I'D
the troubles, but finally determined to
cast his lot with the South; went TO
Virginia, rendered his services to the
Confederacy, was commissioned an
officer of the Navy, and placed IN
command at Norfolk. Va. At this
point he superintended the construc-
ton of the iron-clad vessel, the Nlr-
einia, (Merrimac,) and when it was
completed he was assigned to its COM
mand. He commanded the Confeder-
ate feet-Nirginia, jamestown and
, Roanoke-which made the successful
! attack on the United States fleet IN
! Hampton Roads, near Newport News,
! March 8, 1862, in which the Virginia
| (iag-ship) sunk theUnited States sloop-
! of-War Cumberland (twenty-four guns
and captured the frigate Congress (h1.
tv guns During. the engagement
! Admiral Buchanan was severely
wounded in one OF Ills legs, but retain
ed command of his vessel until his vic
tory was complete and his vessel safely
moored at Norfolk. The excitement
growing ont of this achievement
W., viii. s.,..I. Il the North
| it created great dependency, while
at the South it was the cause
of general rejoicing, and was
source of inspiration to tho
Confederacy. In August, 1864, Adml
raj Buchanan commanded the Confed
! crate fleet in the attack made by the
limited States fleet under Admlra
Farraeut. It was here that Adm'ra
Buchanan's great qualities came out II
bold relief. He led his feet IN the
iron clad Tennessee, and during t;1f
foht his vessel went froIa point &c
point where the battle ragged fiercest.
He was finally obliged to succnmb
having been dangerously wounded ane
his vessel disabled. admiral Buchanan
was a brave. accomplished and popular
officer and q strict disciplinarian.-
As a commander, he had pecul1a,
faouity-some would call it mag
netisn-of winning the esteem OF OH
GERS and men. II .l.e tnSaSeneht az
luded to he inspired the men to DIS
NAV uncommon courage, both by hi
personal example and words OF cneer
He married a daughter OF Governo
!, TJovd. He leaves one son, Frank A
Rnchanan. a merchant in Savannah
Georgia, and four daughters.
Since the late war Admiral En
i I.chanan was appointed President OF tn
/ Maryland A agricultural College, but re
) signed after holding the position a lit
o tie oyer year. He subsequently ai
: oepted the position of agent for s.
Louis life insurance company at Nc
, bile, Alabama, which he he'd for SON
$ time, until about two years ago, whe
), he retired 20 his farm ON the Easter
: Shore. Maryland, where he died.
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