News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-08-31
BEAUMONTs RUSSIAN TRIP.
The Voyage of the Miantonomoh TO
Take the Congratulations OF
Congress to the CARA Start
ling Incident at TOuloD.

| The death of Rear Admiral JOnu ~.
Beaumont recalls some interesting rem1-
niscences of his celebrated mission to
Russia in 1866, as captain of the IRON
clad Miantonomoh, and bearer OF the
congratulations of Congress to the late
Emperor Alexander H. upon his fortu-
nate escape from an assasslns bullet,
which was aimed at him as he was leav-
ing the Winter Palace. The bullet IN
tended for the Gear was rendered harm
less by serf named komlsarof, who
struck up the arm of the murderous
Pole and sent the deadly missile whist
ling into space. Koplisarof was created
a noble for this act Our own country
was among the first So congratulate the
Gear upon his fortunate escape, and in
order that our earnestness in the matter
might be rendered all the more impos-
ing, it was resolved to make the famous
Miantonomoh the bearer of friendly
greetings.
Mr.. John Beaumont Ceilings, of Scran-
ton. Pa. nephew of Captain Beaumont,
accompanied his uncle on that occasion,
and gives some interesting particu-
lars of their trip, which was undertaken
in June, 1866. He says the voyage was
an experience to be remembered during
a life. time. The monitor Miantonomoh
was an object of great curiosity at every
European port, and attracted number
of royal visitors, who were exceedingly
profuse in professions of friendship, but
nothing could exceed the cordiality of
the reception extended to the visitors in
Russia. The Emperor was deeply af-
fected by the action of the q nited
States, and took occasion to show his
gratitude by personal attentions of the
| kindest character toward Captain Beau
mont and his officers. The monitor lay
at Cronstadt, where the people crowded
on board and exam ined every detail of
the iron-clad with great interest. After
living a week at Cronstadt notice was
received that the Emperor Alexander
was coming on board. The imperial
Yacht steamed down the Neva, and there
was great stir when the Czar of all
the Russias made his appearance, at
tended by forty officers in blazing uni
forms. cat the Emperor's request
Captain Beaumont introduced him to all
the American officers, and he was a
splendid host" says Mr.. Ceilings.
"He had magnificent presence, was
over six feet high, and his eye was like
the eye of an eagle.
"Upon the departure of the Czar the
Miantonomoh fired salute and there
was an interchange of the most ELUSIVE
and demonstrative friendship all round.
Tho Emperor then sent his staff and
took us in yachts up the Neva to st.
Petersburg. Every American officer
was attended by distinguished Russian
and our hghtest wants we're anticipated.
We were housed inimperial style at the
Cross of Gold, an elegant hotel to which
we were conducted in carriages along
the Nevskoi Prospekt. I recollect
riding with an Admiral who wore a
cooked hat, and who really acted as my
servant for the time being, and it oc-
CURED to me as we drove along, that if
some of the Wllkesbarre or Scranton
boys should see me then they would
think [ was putting on heap Of style.
The banquet with the nobility was
brilliant affair, and in all respects our
visit to Russia fairly overwhelmed us.
The generosity was universal and un-
bounded. I could not go out to buy a
pair of gloves that Russian officer was
not at my side to pay for them. We
were not allowed to pay for anything
during our stay, and before leaving we
each received massive medal from the
hands of the Czar. I have mine. yet,
and consider it one of the choicest
treasures in my possession. Were 1 to
tell you of half the attentions that were
showered upon us it would weary you.
Our reception was royal beyond descrip-
ton.
''I must not forget to tell you OF
thrilling incident of our return trip. At
Stockholm, on our way back, the King |
and Queen of Sweden came on board,
and were very hospitable and gracious. |
We touched at number of ports, and,
although something of interest occurred
at each, must let them pass to tell you
of peculiar adventure at Toulon.
"We staid there three days. One day |
while ON deck talking with the Doctor,
First Lieut.. John J. Cornwall COM
planned of feeling very sick and turned
in to take a nap. Four or five OF the
party went where they could take a
smoke, and were chatting there pleas
antly few minutes when the Doctor
came running up with frightened face
and OK claimed that Cornwall was dead. |
OF course we were Mortified. He was
such brave and splendid officer. The
seamen all were more or less superstl- |
tious and thought something terrible
would happen. Capt. Beaumont sent
Ensign Alcorn on shore to purchase a
metallic coffin, and shortly afterward
dispatched another man with boats |
crew to bring it on board. An hour OF
two later the crew returned with cof-
fin. The sea was rough at the time and
there was great difficulty in getting it
on boar. d All declared it the heav-
lest coffin they had ever seen or
handled. Once the boat gave lurch
and the coffin had narrow escape from
being thrown into the sea. 1t was a
lucky thing for us that it wasn't. The
men wondered why it was so heavy, but
they realized the reason as soon as they
took off the lid. There was the body oJ
a beautiful French girl dressed IN white
and covered with exquisite flowers. You
can imagine what a sensation this
caused among us. We had not as yet
recovered from the shock occasioned by
Cornwall's sudden death, and now here
was another corpse on board. The men
asked each other in frightened whispers
what could it all mean, but the matter
was soon explained. In few minutes
we saw rowing in the direction of our
ship a boat-load of Frenchmen. AS
soon as they came within eGrshot we
could hear them swearing savageiy and
vowing vengeance. They could scarcely
control themselves long enough to get
on deck, and when they did they pointed
to the open coffin and demanded IN
angry tones why this outrage had been
perpetrated why the crew of the