The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-09-18

heid personal history is most interest.
ing lie was born at Norwich Conn. late
IN the summer OF 1853. and died in New
lors city about three months p.ior 20 the
bombaldmeut Of Fort sumter in 1861
His father was British officer. who con.
scientious ly and bravely fought the Ameri-
can colonies in revolutionary DAYS l.
was Samuel Chester Reid who. refusing
post captaincy in our navy after his bril-
liant victory at Fayal, became port warden
OF New York and invented ANA put into
operation the gnal telegraph from Sandy
Hook 10 the Narrowa and Battery he
was the designer Of our present national
STANDARD and the father OF ten children
Their excellent beautiful and talented
mother was a daughter of Capt. Nathan
Jenuugs, still honorabiy spoken Of by his
descendants az or near Fairfield,
Conn
Immediately after the Gen. Armstrong
had anchored of laval the Ameri.
can consul. John b Datney. ordered .
water % be promptly sent aboard the YES .
sci. and invited Capt Reid % dine with .
him. A pleasant afternoon was passed az .
the corsrls house AMI in driving about
The island About sunset. having re.
turned 90 tie Armstrong with bis shore
friends Reid noticed from lis deck the
rapid approach of six English war ships
forming tie squadron Of Commodore
Lloyd Three Of these vessels the Plan.
a-elet, The n0ta AID the Camatioa. had
4 coIb.lcl armament II 1876 guns. and
he whole feet carried upwards OF 1000
iga,iag seamcn. il fragrant defiance Of
ieutralitr laws. Commaaior L.0yd at
acked the Gen. ARMSTRONG with lis greatly
superior force, but be soon foaud that lie
lad caught a vcrilaJle marine tartar.
,cSt morning, having counted his dead,
yocnded and presumed 10 bc drowned he
utterly remembered that Admiral Coch.
anc was waiting for him IL Jamaica for
e-euforcemeuts that would never be- avail
Die Ia the proposed conquest of New
orleans. ~.
Darkness settled over Fayal islaDd and
hrew It's heavy mantle on the peaceful,
and locked bay. Capt. Reid was wary.
'ertain movements on board Lloyd flag
hip, the Plantagenet, had excited the
american 5 suspicion He knew there
'ou:L be full moon, and, having dis
Kissed his guests and set them on shore, {
c quietly ordered the Armstrong; deck !
D be cleared for action and moved the
essel nearer to the island. until il was J
'ithin shadow Of the governors castle.
he moon had now risen. and by its light
apt. Reid discovered about , o'clock, :
nat four boats, each containing forty
len, were being pulled towards the
coined Irivateer. He repeatedly hailed {
lem, but got no reply. They were soon {
ongside but lie was ready for them As '
ie British seamen attempted to board :
ie Armstrong the valiant Reid passed '
le word TO his gunrers TO open fire S
I the four beats. They were beaten 7
w..;h fearful Slaughter, and two Of :
len retired 50 severely broken that it a
Is With tie utmost difficulty they could L
2 kept aaoat. 1t being now apparent that :
lie English squadron intended 10 renew I
e onslaught and crush their netting c
iversary, the governor of Fayal dis 8
.tched message 10 Commodore Lloyd a
any further hostile demon I
ratiors. The naughty BIiton replied 5
at II any attempt vas made by the
Jrtuglese to shield the Gen. Arm. v
rong, he would 1T once fire upon castle S
"a town. i.
Tnree hours passed. but they were not s.
aslsd by Reid: lie knew too well the e
ilrs Of time and preparation, and took 4
the chances.| At midnight, fourteen p
ats and 500 desperate Britishers re- II
wed the unequal attack. The dauntless W