Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-20

II,
but mercifu and just in the exercise of authority.
Gentle generous. courteous and considerable of his
associates and Official interiors, courageous In the
lace or danger. sensitive alike OF his personal honor
and the honor OF his flag: spirited In reSenting
indlSnity or dSreSpect;-cOnScientOu Self-reliant
and responsible in council and decision. 1 have
read letter written near the close OF his career to
the Secretary OF the Navy which so well illustrates
these latter qualities that l have transcribed 1t:
81 did not hold council of war, either before or
after the attack, nor have ever held council of
war in my lie. did not desire to throw upon the
gallant officers who commanded the 1roncladS, and
VINO had so noby borne themselves in this novel
mode OF warfare any OF the responsibilities which
pertained to my own station, and l did not hear
their opinions TO the withdrawal OF the fleet
until had announced my own determination In
the matter"
These were the living principles of his action,
his deVout and humble profession and practice as
CHRISTIAN, which led him into an active and con-
sistent membership OF the Protestant Episcopal
church.
The range and varied nature OF his service seems
unOounded He carried the flag OF his country on
the high seas into the four quarters OF the globe,
everywhere ana at all times maintaining with dig
nifty and punctilious care the national honor and
the reputation OF the service. love of the navy
MS life and became part OF his very being. The
tender and impossible age at which he entered
the navy had much to do with this, and the great
law OF gradu growth was we'll expressed in him.
as ne rose from rank TO rank unfolding higher ca
pacltieS at each step, until he became In the
judgment or those most competent to speak, a
thorough sailor, skilled in every branch of his pro-
fession. A nobl- emulation filled him and by study
and careful self-cultivation he attained that pro-
marked his public reports and correspondence and
distinguished him in official and social Intercourse
His 1ne presence, voice, and manners proclaimed
that DE possessed:
"AI, that when language slow the thought Inn.
parts
Comes in that one word Sailor to our hearts,
In every field OF duty, on sea or land, he was
FOUND ever energetic, courageous, conscientious In
the performance Of duty. From 1915 to 1S45 in ac-
i've sea service In all quarters, in men-of-war Of
ell-known repute. the companion and cherished
friend OF officers whose names are
HISTORICAL AND ROEoRED
Upon the founding OF the naval school at An
napolis under the administration OF the NAVY De-
partment, by the Hon. Geo. Bancroft, he assisted
Commodore Franklin Buchanan in organizing the
Congress on the Pacific squadron, Commodore
stockton commanding, and was again transferred
10 the command OF the Cyane in July, 1916.
The conquest OF California having been effected
oy the squadron under Commodore Stockton the
Cyane was employed In blockade duty on the west
coast OF Mexico and in Cruising in the Gulf OF Call
fornia
The exploits OF the Cyane under DuPont's COM
mano on the Mexican coast form most brilliant
chapter In the history OF mat war. In fact the
conduct OF the entire naval force on that station
was worthy OF the best traditions OF American sea-
msnsnlp. enterprise and courage. Its influence
upon tne campaign has scarcely received its due
appreciation, and Its effect upon the prestige and
reputation OF the navy was great and perrna nenr
commander Du Pont returned in the Cyane to
Norfolk In October 1S48 after three years OF con-
slant and emcient service, having, nOtwithstarid-
Ing long blockades at anchor and defense of mar
Of Sees OF the en as long o list OF Prizes
Stroyed 10 avoid capture. OF cities subdued and
ports oockaded by his energy and enterprise, has
round honorable record In the leS OF the Navy de-
partInent. His personal gallantry flashed out on
many occasions during this campaign, as when he
landed one hundred OF his officers and crew In the
nf oil
perior, and at the head Of his little band fought
MS way through many times their number and
renewed the brave Lieut.. Haywood and his heroic
gar lson In the mission house OF San jose, where
ne had been beeaguered and brought to great dis
tresa The dispatches OF Lieut.. Haywood and Com
moGore Shubrick contain vivid descriptions or the
merry courage OF Du Pont in this affair. Equally
9lscreet and prudent as courageous, We find no
disaster 10 the public property nor want OF care Of
entrusted TO his command In the various affairs
In which the Cyane was engaged In the cruise
o ,,ia, MeSico she lost seventeen killed and
wounded, and out or q crew OF two hundred and
zen men Out single death from sickness occurred
After his return In the Cyane Capt. Du Point was
employed as examiner OF mtdshipmen and rey1ser
OF the rules OF the naval school He became mem
Der OF the light house board and combined with
TINS important service the command OF the receiy-
member OF the board to promote the eficIsncy of
the navy, and upon him as an ardent friend 10 the
e ,s2I Ie the main weight OF painful RESPONSE
DiutieS IN the execution or this eXpurgating law
II ne cankers OF calm world and long peacen
needed excelsior, and the surgery was necessarily
sharp ana painful 1t drew upon Capt Du Point a
great amount OF personal and bitter hostility from
the on1cers unfavorably affected by the law when
the names OF the individuals selected for retire
ment by reason OF supposed disability and unit
ness were made known. His popularity In the
navy winch, up TO that time had been well nigh
universal, at once lessened, and he was compelled
10 lace whirlwind OF disappointed ambition de-
nunc1ation. and even personal Islander and v1iica-
ZION But ne was IN the path OF duty and he stood
Iast until the storm spent its force, leaving him
shocked and Saddened by It's violence but erect
ana true 10 his convtcttons with not stain upon
ms reputation and the arrows OF defamation living
shattered at his feet. But this was painful and
deeply trying episode In his career, and it left
de was two years in command OF the Minnesota on
the East India squadron and returned home TO
serve upon boards OF examination, and In Command
Oh the Philadelphia navy yard
ADMIRAL Dc POINTS WAR SERVICE.
In september, 1861, he was ordered to the COM
mand OF the South Atlantic blockading squadron.
and In the following month OF June was pro-
noted 10 the rank OF rear-admtral and Continued
In the same command.
The war 70 prevent the secession of the Southern
Sea.es CLOSED 30 lar as armed h0stities were con-
the death OF Admiral Du Point IL embraced In the
Penoo Oh lts continuance q memorable era In the
history OF maritime warfare, and deyeloped new
tneotieS ana practice In naval architecture and
almament. winch to-day while abollshtnR "a with
wave OF the nand OF tnexorable fate the wooden
oullt nav1es OF the world leaves uDcertafn and nm
settieo what shall permanently succeed them.
AS touching the career and Character of The naval
omcef we are now considering. this wonderful and
oeepy interesting fact may be perIinent
Up 70 saturday the 9Th day OF March, 1859 when the
Aeffimac. the INST ron-clad OF any type. came out