Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-06-27
Death Of Major BushrOd Washington
Hunter.

Hunter.
We are panied to announce the death Of
Major B. W. Hunter, which occurred on the
evening of the 25th, at his home 10 Warren
ton. His name and family are identified
with Alexandria from its very foundation.
His grandfather, Dr. John Hunter, F. R. S.,
and son Of the celebrated Edinburgh ply
sician) came from Scotland and settled in
Alexandria ard was one of this city's first
trustees. Major Hunters father was Ma
thaniel Chapman Hunter, who lived all Of
his life in this city.
The deceased entered the Naval Academy
In 1925 hs'graduated high, and made his
cruise with Commodore Creighton in the
frigate Hudson. Lieut.. Hunters next SER
vice float was under Commodore Rogers in
South America Then he was ordered 10
Join the fleet in Ontario and served in the
Constitution, the fastest ship in the u S.
service. Next he was made master Of the
soop. of.war Shark, zen squadron" COM
manded by Commodore Wilksrson, and
later First Lieut.. of the Constitution. He
was stationed at Norfolk for some time aud
then sailed with Commodore Perry for the
coast OF Africa.
When the Mexican war broke out he was
second in command in the sloop Truxton,
Captain Carpenter, and under orders the
Truxton laid for the coast of Mexico. The
vessel was wrecked near a Mexican fort, at
Tuspan, and hauled down her colors to the
enemy, but Lieut.. Hunter refused to yield.
Calling for volunteers among the crew, eight
sailors stepped out, and manning one of the
ships boats, LIEUT.. Hunter crossed the dan
gerous bar off Tuspau, aud shortly after fell
in with Spanish merchantmen. Before
the Spaniards could resist, Lieutenant
Hunter boarded her and made the
crsw captiv6s. With his prize he pro-
ca ded on his cruise and ran afoul of
large Mexican vessel, this he captured
with the same tactics, and carried his two
prizes to the American feet at Vera Cruz,
and delivered them up, with the prisoners,
to the Commodore. He received the thanks
of the Navy Department for bis al!antry
and was offered as an acknowledgment the
command CT the sDip-of-war ST. Mary's. He
was retired in 1850 by his own request and
lived until the war at Arlington, in the
county.
When the war between the States occur.
red be was pressed by the government to
allow his name to remain on the retired list
VI lue navy IOSttI uis uo ItluSeu W 10,
and resigned and cast his lot with his State.
No man ever gave up more or made greater
sacrifice for Virginia Than did the subject of
our sketch. He left home, wealth and
friends and offered his sword to the Confed-
eracy. He commanded the heavy batteries
at Primers Point, near Norfolk, and later on
one of the forts around Richmond Coming
back after the war he found his property
confscated and bis great wealth gone, but
zone ever heard him repine and he accept
ed the result of his own patriotism uncom-
plainingly.
Major Hunter lived in this city for many
years. He was one of the few links that
bound the present with the past, and at the
age of 81 be has outlived nearly all of his
contemporaries.
He was man of lofty views, proud, and
with high honor that he held ever unsul-
lied. He was splendid type of the Vir.
einia naval officer of the "old regime" 8
true sailor and withal an honest man.
His death was not unexpected. He has
lain for two long years on a bed of pain and
borne all of hisintense sufferings with most
Christian resignation. He had been for forty
years q communicate OF 81. Paul's Church,
In this city.
His funeral took place this morning and
he was inferred in the family burying ground
in St. Paul's Cemetery. Rev. Mr.. Nelson, of
Warrenton, and Rev. q. T. Sharp, of this
city, officiating. Gen. NJ. D. Corse. Col. A.
Deiagnel, Col. Arthur Herbert, Major Geo. |
Johnston. Maj. W. w Herbert. Capt. Her.
bert BRYANT. Capt Philip Hooe and Mr.. J.
K. NJ. Norton acted as pail bearers.