Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-02-22
DEATH OF GEORGE W. GIFT.
A Brief Narrative of His Services in the
United States aud Confederate
Navles, Etc.


A dispatch from Napa City announ-
ces the death there, this morning, of
George w. Gift, owner and editor of
the Napa Reporter, He was the
seventh of the eight children, boys
and girls, of Colonel William w. Gift,
widely known throughout this State,
and was born near Nashville, Sumner
county, Tenn, March l, 1888. When
James X. Polk was installed as Presi-
dent of the United States, March 4,
1915, his first official act was the ap-
pOintment of young Gift to the Naval
Academy at Annapolis, as a mark of
his respect to Colonel Gift, his neigh
Dor, friend and jealous supporter. At
the expiration of two years, George
was assigned, as midshipman, to the
Pacific squadron. He sailed from
Norfolk naval station on the sloop-of-
war st. Mary. Shortly after bis ar
rival in California waters, in 1913, he
was transferred to the sh~ip-of-line
Ohio, and subsequently to the frigate
Savannah. He resigned from the Navy
in 1852, and served as clerk in the
United States land Office, in Benicia
and San Francisco, during his fathers
term as receiver, under President
Pierce. In 1855 he established a bank
ing house in Sacramento. Upon the
breaking out Of the civil war, Mr..
Gift went South, and offered his SER
vices to the COnfederacy. He was
appointed captain in the Con-
federate Navy, and given command
of the iron-clad Arkansas, of the
Mississippi feet. 1t was while in this
command he accomplished one of the
most daring, desperate and brilliant
exploits of the war. He forced the
passage of his iron-clad from the
lazoo river, twelve miles above
Vicksburg, in the summer of 1862,
and ran the vessel through a tremen-
dous fire of shot and shell from the
Union feet, to a safe haven at the
wharf of the blOckaded city, where he
was received by Colonel Henry L.
Thornton, another Californian, then
in the Confederate army. This SPLEEN
did achievement gained Captain Gift
the special praise of President Davis,
and he was given a more important
command, in which he again signally
distinguished himself, and wa Off
cially commended for his skill and in
trepidity and gallantry. Chased BY
three Union iron-clads until the en-
CINE Of his own vessel broke down. he
succeeded in running her ashore, there
his officers and crew, and then
fired the train which blew her up. and
cheated his pursuers of the capture
and prize. With his men he escaped.
Soon afterward he was promoted to
the charge of the Naval Construction
on the Chattahoochie river. in Georgia.
and there superintended the building
Of a feet of iron-elads and rams.
While there he married his second
wife, who survives him, and by whom
three children were born 10 him.
These and his son by his first wife are
all living. About five years ago Mr..
Gift returned to California, located IN
Napa county, and bought the Napa
Reporter, which he conducted with
much ability down TO the time of the
illness which has ended fatally. He
was a staunch Democrat, a good citi-
zen, and a warm hearted friend. The
condolements Of all who knew him
will flow freely TO his bereayed family
and to his aged father.
EDITOR LEDGER: ] hand you a
copy Of the San Francisco Examiner
Of the 18th inst, aud mark therein a
brief notice Of the late Captain Geo.
w Gift. 1t. however, is not perfectly
accurate. Upon the breaking out Of
the civil war Gift, then a resident of
California, where he had resided after
his severance from the naval service.
cspoused the cause Of the South. and
in company with General Albert Sid.
ney Johnston aud Others. crossed the
plains, sought the government center
al Montgomery and offered his services
to the Confederacy. These accented.
he was commissioned a lieutenant IN
the navy and assigned 10 duty. Ho
rendered signal ability as executive
officer OF the gunbOat Arkansas. then
under command Of Captain Brown In
her desperate attack upon the enemy !
teet near the mouth Of tho Yazoo
river.
In the night attack made upon tho
United States steamer Water Witch
by a hotilla Of boats under command
Of Lieutenant John Taylor Wood.
Gift, as the officer 10 charge Of one 81
these boats, displayed that signai cour.
age and dash characteristic Of the
earnest enthusiast whose heart was N
bis work, and 10 his manly effort
were largely due the success of the
expedition. A desperate hand h
hand engagement followed The board.
ing Of the vessel whose decks rau
deep in blood Of the slain. The same
signal determination aud endoayo,
marked his efforts 10 run the gauntlei
OF the enemy's feet and attompt !,
land the cargo Of a blockade sleameI
al tho port Of Wilmington, but end.
log - Impossible 10 elude tbea h,
beaded bis vessel foF tho land, beseho,
her, saving what could b. secured
and then 70 prevent her falling 4 prz,
% the enemy, with bic own hands Az
piled the torch Of destruction
After the close Of the var We 6n1
him in command OF meyebsnf stasn'