Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-03-31
Colonel ZarYOnA.

PARTICULARS OF REMARKABLE LIFE.
The Port Tobacco (NId.) Times adds some
interesting particulars Of the life of the late
Colonel Richard Thomas, or Colonel Z.rvona.
whose death on the l7th iostaut has been bri, fly
noted. 1t says:
''Gha deceased was q son of Richard Thomas,
of St. Mary's, formerly President OF tue S"nate
of Maryland, and also nephew of Governor
james Thomas. He was OF u rowing and i'd
ventur US disposition, and had passed much OF
his life abroad, having been IN nearly all parts
Of the world. At one time he served under
Garibaldi, and it was whist in this service that
he assumed the Name oil ryona under when
he ev or afterwards went
"ln the early part of the war he became quite
conspicuou, for his connection with the capture
of the steamer ST. Nicholas, favorite Potomac
boat. TIL circumstances OF the capture were
fully published at the time by all the papers,
but rs q "reminiscences we republlsn the follow
ing account taken by US at the time from the
Baltimore Exchange Of July 2, 1861. The Ex-
change WAS atterward suppressed and sub:e'
| quently reissuod rs the Gsz,tte. We quote:
The St Nicholas, on her last trip from Bal
| tmore, took on board rs q passenger French
! lady of dark complexion, OF rather masculine
| features, out of quiet manners. There were
| also number of passengers who were proceed
| ing to different points on the Potomac. At
| Point Lookout two more passengers were also
| taken ON board. Soon after this, IN the middle
of the night, the French woman having retired
| Tor u few moments to her stateroonl, suddenly
emerged, hrr wig and pet.coats doted in full
military costume, with revolvers and cutlasS 0y
| her side. Twenty. five passengers drew rev OIL
vers at the same time and in u trice officers and
| crew were made prisoners. The boat Was then
! put in tho charge of the Point Lookout passen-
gers, who proved to be retired navy ,tfcers.
| The steamer WAS then run into Conc river, on
| the Virgin q side, where the passengers, VINO
were treated with great civllty. were all land
| ed, and Il company of one hundred Tennesseeans
we've taken aboard. The st. Nicholas then
headed up the river in search of the Pawnee 1t
| being part of the programme vi this gallant
young lolonel, for such he l., TO run into the
| Pawnee, take her by surprise, leap on board
and take possession OF. her. Not being able to
| find the Pawnee the St. Nicholas turned and
steamed Tor the Bay. Between Smiths Point
and the Rappahsnnock tie steamer fell in at
| different times with three vessels, one loaded
with coffee, Ole with coal and one with ice.
These were all captured and taken to Fredcrcks
burg, where the heroes of this achievement were
received with military honors
'Alterward Colonel Zarvona, with that reck
| lessness which characterized him, attempted TO
| 20 to Baltimore on ono OF tho PALuXent steam-
ers, but being recognized by some United States
| officers who boarded the boat ut Fair Haven, an
attempt WIS made To arrest him, but he WAS not
| to he found. The boat WAS ordered TO stop ri
Fort McHenry, when more thorough search
being made he was finally discovered cuncca ed
in bureau in the ladies cabin. He WAS kept
in close confinement until removed to Fort La
faye where he WAS kept for long time 1t
WAS said that he WAS confined in dark dungeon
and otherwise treated with gteAtand unnecessary
cruelty. His health finally gave way, and he
WAS released, He then went abroad and re
manned until the close of the |nr He never
recovered from the effects of his inpr Comment,
and 1or some time past his health had been very
precarious. He WAS u single man, and aged
about forty"
The ST. Mary's Beacon, in an editorial no.
tice of the death of Col. Zarvona says:
Though of wandering habit and somewhat
errstic disposition. the Col3ners integrity of
character, keen sense of honor, urbanity of
manner and chivalrc bearing, Won him many
wnrm friends AMI admirers, of which number
the writer is proud to record himself