The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-07-06

Captain John A. Webster, of this county,
died at 124 o'clock, p. NJ, on Wednesday
the 4th Of July, at his residence, Mount
Adams, near Creswell. Capt. Webster was
born in Hartford county September 10Th
1887, and was consequently in the Goth yeal
of his age at the time of his death. He was
for nearly GO years in active service in the
United States revenue marine and perform
ed brilliant part as commander of the Six
Gun or City Battery, in the attack upon Bal.
timore city by the British forces in1S14. BY
his gallantry and skill the British We're pre-
vented from landing in the rear of Fort Nc.
Henry, on the 18th and 18th of September
1914, after their unsuccessful attack upon tho
city on the 18th.
In 1916 the citizens of Baltimore, through
committee, consisting of John L. Howard
VIM. Loman, Thos. Tenant, II. Gilmor, Jr.
Isaac McKim. and Fielding Lucas, Jr, pre-.
scented him handsome sword for his gallant
and successful defence of the Six Gun Bat.
terry. This testimonial lie priced as one OF
his choicest treasures.
Capt. Webster was n man of commanding
stature and fine personal appearance. lie
retained until few years ago Il remarkable
degree of physical vgor for one of his age
and his mind was clear to the last. He was
not accustomed to talk much about his ex-
ploits,and Stunned notoriety. He was as mod
est as he was brave, and faithful in every
appointed duty. lie continued in active ser
vice from the 1st of March, 1914, the date
of his first commission, until the 10Th
of October, 1865, when he was detached
from duty on the revenue cutter Jack
son, with full pay, "waitng orders" of as
signment to duty. The earthly orders never
came, but on Wednesday, the 1O1st anniversa-
ny of American independence, the brave old
veteran received and oheyed an order from n
higher Power, and breathed his last so calm
ly and peacefully that the friends who stood
by his bedside could scarcely determine when
body and spirit separated. 1t was certainly
fitting that one who had spent so many
years in the service of his country, should be
called away on the very day when thousands
of his iellow-citizens were celebrating the
independence which his bravery and patriot
ism helped to perpctuate
His remains will be buried to morrow, (Sat-
urday) in the family burng ground, at his
home, near Creswell.
Capt Webster's first voyage to sea was
when young man, on board merchant
ship bound from Baltimore to Rio Janerio
His ardor as a sailor was dampened in very
short time by the unaccustomed hartlshps
and privatons of a life on the ocean wave
and when the vessel reached New Point
Comfort" he would haye returned if he could,
and, as he said, never have wanted to go to
sea again" The voyage lasted 90 months
After his first voyage he was eager to 90
again, and followed the bent ofhis inclina-
ton nearly 60 years.
On the breaking out of the last war with
England in 1912. he shipped ON board pri-
vateer, under Commodore Barney and during
one cruise assisted in capturing or sinking 10
or 10 British vessels. The prize money re-
sulting therefrom amount ed to consider
able sum, but the crew, on arriving in Balti-
more, found out to their dismay that their
agent on shore had proved dishonest, and
cheated them out of the whole amount
He next shipped on a letter of-marque and
made voyage to Bordeaux, France. On the
return voyage the vessel captured British
ship, the Loyal Sam" from which they took
1000 in money. A prize crew was put on
board and the Loyal Sam headed for
Portland, Maine She was recaptured, how
ever, before reaching port, Upon lis arrv-
al at Portland, Capt. Webster took his share
Of the prize money, and with portion of it
purchased horse and buggy, and journey
ed over land TO his home in Hartford, n dis.
lance of nearly 800 miles, which he accom-
plished in fifteen days.
His gallantry and good conduct won for him
the approval of his superiors, and he was re-
commended for appointment in the Navy
The young man had in the meantime fallen
in love, and was about to be married. Being
very much preoccuped, he failed to make
any personal effort to secure the position,
and the opportunity was lost On the list of
March, 1914, however, he was commissioned
Sailing Master in the U. S. Revenue Service,
by President Madison, and on the 22d of
November, 1919, President Monroe signed
his commission as captain in the same service.
CORR NDEN CE.