The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-11-05

Warrington came to make his official visit
and knew, even then, enough OF the navy
TO be greatly interested IN witnessing the
meeting OF these three distinguished Off
GERS. There was Patterson, who, when a
midshipman, had been q prisoner with
cambridge and Porter, and the three hun
dred others, on board the Philadelphia,
when taken by the Tripolitans in 1904;
who had received the thanks Of Congress
for his valor and good conduct in the war
OF 1872, and especially for his prompt
and efficient cooperation with General
Jackson in the gallant and successful de-
fence OF New Orleans when asSailed by
powerful British force. BY his side was
Nicolson (Virginian by BIRTH who, rs
lieutenant under Decatur on board the
frgate United States, had received the
thanks OF Congress and a silver medal for
his conduct in the action with the Macedo-
nian, in October, 1872; who had been War
ringtOn's first lieutenant on board the Pea
cock In her action with the Epervier, in
April, 1874, and had received a silver
medal, under resolution Of Congress, in
testimony OF his gaIlantry and good
conduct on that occasion; whose steadi-
ness and ingenuity in saving the Eper-
yier after she had been placed in his
command from a chasing frigate, and
taking her safely into Savannah, were much
applauded, aud 10 whom the command Of
the Flambeau, one OF POrtcr's flying squad
ron, destined for the West Indies, had been
assigned just at The close OF the war. War
rington, senior captain Of the three, had
received from Congress a gold medal, with
suitable embems and devices, for his cap
ture OF the Eperyier, while his capture Of
the Nautilus was the last instance Of hos
tilitieS between the belligcrents in the war
of 1912, occurring, indeed, a few days
after the period set for the termination Of
hostilities, but OF which he was not in
formed.
1t was, ! repeat, most gratifying to me TO
see these three distinguished officers meet,
with mutual cordiality and pleasure, on the
quarterback OF q grand old-iashiOned man
Of-war, carrying seyenty-fOur heavy guns.
| afterwards occasionally saw Commodore
Warrington in Washington wien he was
member OF the Board Of Navy Commits
sioners, or Chief OF the Bureau OF Yards
and Docks. or OF the Bureau OF Ordnance
and Hydrography. In those days also |
knew, and have ever since esteemed il no
small privilege that did know, personally
CommodOres Rogers, Hull, Chauncey, Nor
ris, Stewart, kennOn, Shubrick, Gedney,
and others, belonging to the "irOn age"
Of the nayy-leaders among the men whose
opportunity" it had been to add to the
fame Of their country's flag. With Com
modores ClaXtOn, Turner, and Dulany j had
a particular acquaintance-and for each
special Misunderstanding sailed with the
two former on board the Constitution in
going 10 IeXico, and with the latter on
board the Boston in returning. II was
Commodore Morris, in command OF the
splendid frigate Brandywine, and with
picked American crew, to whom was as
signed the pleasing duty Of conveying
General Lafayette back to France after his
last visit TO the United States. The Gene
raj embarked at Washington city, and
sailed on the 9th Of September, 1S2J-the
anniversary Of his birthday-and Of mine
too!
Mr.. Hill Carter, Of Shirley, was a mid
shipman under Warrington and Nicolson
on board the Peacock in her action with
the Epervier, and named his eldest son
after his old captain, WarTington-the
same who married Miss Agnes IIaxall.
Commodore Patterson was an uncle OF
our friend the late Mrs. Allan, ut whose
former residence the brilliant ball was
given week before last in honor OF the
French and German guests. His youngest
daughter married the present Admiral Da-
yid ID. Porter. Commodore NicOlson was
a near relative Of Mrs. DR.. Woodbridge,
Mrs. Chapman Johnson, and Mrs. Robert
Gwathmcy, Of Richmond, all now de-
ceased. My father knew him as a Rich
mond boy, and ] think once told me that
he had aided in obtaining hrs midshipman's
warrant for him. He entered the service
in 1895, which was ten years after my father
came to Richmond to live.
| hardly know how to excuse or even
account for the multiplicitics OF this letter;
bat its purpose will have been attained II
it interests YOU and serves to assure you OF
the respect and esteem with which am,
Very truly yours, THOMAS III. ELLIS.