New-York tribune., 1879-06-11
OBITUARY.
COMMODORE FOxHALL A. PARKER.

ANNAPOLIS, Md, June 10.-The death OF
Commodoe Foxhall A. Parker. Superintendent OF the
Naval Academy. announced AT o'clock To-Day He
had been Ill since last April and his death long ex-
peced by Medical Inspector 4. L. Gihon, his physician
whose only hope to tide the Commodore over The
graduating ceremonies and have his attached 10
the diplomas Of the cadets which signature they bore
to-day For three days the Commodore was In coma
tose state, and in that condition when he died. sur
rounded by his brother, Captain william IL. Parker, hs
two sisters Mrs. Wainwright and Mrs Eidridge, and his
two children.
Commodore Parker was born in this State
about ifty-six years ago, and was appointed to the
Navy from Virginia, March IL. 1889 Tho first four
years of his life in the Navy we're passed in the west
Indies In Florida inst the indians, and at the Naval
School, in Philadelphia. As Passed Midshpmsn he
served on tie Lake in The Coast Survey Service and In
the Mediterranean He became a lieutenant September
2s, 1885, and spent the next five years IN the East
Indies and in the Coast Survey Service. He
unemployed from 1855 TO 1859 From
1889 TO 1861 he served with the Pacihc
Squadron. aud during the years was Executive
Officer at the Washington Navy Yard. During these
years he saw some service on the Potomac, and Two
days after the battle of Bull ordered TO Fort
Ellsworth with 250 and marines to protect IL
from an expected attack by General Beauregard BY
his prompt and vigorous action Lieutenant Parker con-
tributed greatly to tho safety OF Alexandria ana 10
Bull Run. In 1862 he made a commander, and for
o time commanded the steam gunboat Mahaska. In
1868 he commanded the naval battery on
Morris Island, at the bombardment OF Fort sumter,
and also took part in the skrmshes on the
Potomac and RappahannOck rivers and of Wilmington
N. C. In 1s6i-65 he was engaged with the Potomac
Flota. and on occasion, at the head or small
body of soldiers and marines. with two howiIzers man
ned by seamen, marched some distance into virginia
and drove force Of over 100 cavarymen out o'
Matthew's Court House. After serving in the Bureau
of Navigation for short time he was commissioned
July 25 1866 Captain The next four years be spent
at Hartford and Boston, and In 1870 ana 1871 com
manded Franklin, of the European Squadron. In
and in November OF that year received his com
mission as Commodore. He then breame Chief-0i-
Saf the North Atlantic fleet, aud in 1874 he was APP
pointed ChefofSta 10 the united nees under Admiral
Case which assembled for instruction IN tacucs IN the
Florida waters In S77 and 1873 he was In command
Of the Boston NavyYard In july OF the latter year his
pennant was raised at Annapolis.
In 1872 Commodore Parker was engaged IN Drawing
u code Of signals for steam tactics. and from 1873 10
1876 Chief Signal officer or the Navy. lie was one
Of the founders OF the United States Naval Institute III
1873 for the advancement OF professional anO seem
Iihc Knowledge IN the Navy" and was the author OF
Fleets OF the World and Tho Battle OF Mobile
Bay" Lwo works of enduring interest to the Navy lie
also prepared the follow ne textbooks Tor the NaVal
Academy, order OF the Department: fleet Tactics
Under nIean" and Squadron Tactics unGrr steam
(lSG3), 4" The Naval HOwitzcr Ahoat" ueOob anu
q The Naval Howitzer Ashore QS66)