The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-10-17

were for North Anna. Petersburg, and general
gallantry during the war.
Thus far / have briefly told of the two later
generations of the Whistlers. The old Colonel
of the 4th u. s. Inf. in Mexico, when Con.
Grant was a Lieutenant. was Col. VIM. Whistler,
the father of Gen. j. N. q. Whistler, and
il was he, while commanding ut Detroit alter
the Mexican war. who made Gen. Grant the
Quartermaster of the regiment.
Col. William Whistler was too old and infirm
to go to the Pacific Coast in command of his
regiment, and resided at Newport KY, until
his death. in 1863. The female members of his
family were intensely rebel in their sympathles,
and one daughter was the wife of Charles Helm,
who was the rebel Consul General ut Havana
during all of the war.
1t was told me by relative of the family
that when the news came to Newport OF the
disaster 10 the Union arms at the First Bull
Run battle that Mrs. Whistler, and n niece who
lived with them, were so overjoyed that they
danced joyously about the house. In their
celebration they waltzed into the room where
the aged Colonel was lying-bedridden for
many months and infirm in mind from old age.
All at once the two women stopped, in half ter
ror for the aged soldier had raised himself IN bed,
and while they looked, he exclaimed: Damn it,
damn it they thrashed our troops2 Why in
tho devil don't they send for Sam Grant
(Gen. Grants old West Point nick-name)P
Damn 'em; he'll thrash tho devils out of their
boots; he'll teach EN- not to fire on the Union
flag"
The story goes on that he sank back on his
pillows and relapsed into his former condition.
bat that whenever he was reused in any way,
his invariable inquiry was. what Is Sam
Grant doing2 He will fetch them"
Now, this Col William Whistler was the
son of Col. John Whistler, Of the lst Inf, and
il is a funny thing that both William and his
father Just after the War of 1872, were Captains
mt the same time in the same regiment.
William was appointed in tho army when
only about II years of age, and being ardent,
and wearing uniform and sword, he speedily
| fell in love, aud he married at once, without
paying attention to the little matter of letting
his soldier father know anything about It,.
Capt. John Whistler Che was Captain them got
his military back mp. and so did Lieut. William
Whistler. The elder officer said he wouldn't
have it. The younger ono said no didn't see
| how the other could help it, for the lady was
| his wife and he would stick by her even If
/ President Madison interiered.
| Capt John saw that il was case whore
neither parental authority nor court-martai
could effect anything. but no took snap iudg-
meat ON William by exercising the power that
existed 1T that time Of tho father collecting all
! the earnings of minor son, and then pro-
ctedcd to collect every blessed cent of the poor
] devils pay until he was II years of age, and
/ only gave him just enough ont OF it to pay his
| mess bill and keep his uniform in order and
| poor Mrs. William bad "A hard time of it,
| This Col. John Whistler had a father, as most
men have aud he was another soldier who won
/ tho straps Of a Captain in the Army of the
| Revolution, and his name, toe, was John but
! ! can't remember quite so Ear back rs that, and
am unable 10 give any details about him.
| The father of this other John Whstler-the
| one of the Revolutionary Line-had been a Brit
/ ish Sergeant of infantry, and in the French
- 4 -.
| Colonies with such distinction that-what was
| n remarkable thing in those days-he was pro-
NOTED to an cnsigncy. Being at Detroit when
| his regiment was transferred elsewhere, he re-
signed his commission 10 remain near q French
| girl Of tho colony there, aud married her.
] have told now Of six generations OF these
! Whistlers that have been soldiers. aud oil are
! descended from the English one who married
| the little French girl Mt Detroit Are there
many in the service to-day, aGoat or ashore,
/ that can show such q military pedigroc7
OF this Whistler stock comes tho wife Of Gen.
| u. III. Rucker. U. 3. Army, and Mrs. Philip IL.
! Sheridan.
ARMY AND SAvY.
| Secretary Tracy received last week request
from the local Board OF Managers of tho Train.
! ing Ship Saratoga for the detail of Com N ander
/ Francis II. Green now stationed at the Brook
| Ign Navy Yard, 10 take command Of that Yes-
/ sci. This request is the result OF long nogo-
| tations for securing Commander Green's serv-
| ices, and he will undoubtedly be detailed as
| requested. AZ conference with tho managers
and Commander Green sc Philadelphia. on
| Tuesday last, satisfactory understanding was
reached by which tho Commander will be
placed upon f0Sting more nearly equal with
officers whose active duties in similar service
! credit them with sea pay.
One Of the firm Of Cramp Brothers. of PhiiA.
delphia, the builders of tie cruiser Baltimore,
had an interview with Secretary Of the Navy
/ Iraey last week, concerning proposed second
trial Of that vessel. The FIRST trial Of the Bal.
timOre was not "a success, her engines failing 10
develop the horse power required In the con.
tract, but only by very snRll deficiency, and
the contractors. therefore, desire another trial
on that point alone. the speed Of the vessel be,
ing satisfactory. Messrs. Cramp believe tina,
n second trial viii result fayoubly, and that
they can show horse power in excess Of what
tho contract calls for. The Secretary will allow
them another trial.
Naval Cadets Is. w. stearns and Henry A.
Allen. OF the final graduating class six-yeas
course, having passed their examinations and
not being required 20 OIL any vacancy In the
naval service, have been discharged.
At the Navy Department the trouble In re-.
gard TO the transportation Of Fred Dougiaa, oul
Minister 10 Hayti has been lost sight of. Com
mander Kellogg, the first officer who was nc.
cnsed of asking 70 be relieved from the duty OF
carrying the colored Minister. has, through
friends made public letter from ex- Miniater
Thompson. who Is also n negro which shows
the friendly manner in which he was treated
on board the Ossipee by Commander KelloRs
during the late troubles Ia Hayt. This letter
Is published to clear Commander Kellogg Of tht
suspicion OF race pref ndice.
The Trial Board Of the VesuvIus have sent 4
preliminary report signed by Commander
Goodrich, to Secretary Tracy, that the test o.
the guns had been successful TO degree MOI
anticipated" The rapid fire of the guns wa
, called remarkable, and the speed Of the vessel
beyond requirement
The examination OF the Sergeants at Jefferson
Barracks, No., who were accused OF cruelty /,
recruits for the army rendezyoRsed az that sta
T ton, has resulted In proving tho charges mad,
20 a great extent. The fact was developed tina
| money wasdrawn from the company fund TO fur
nish Sergeants with extras at their table which
iscOntrary TO law. SeTgt Charles Monaghan wa
, caught In a pointblank lie, and will be pun
! ished with reduction to the ranks at least. TIL,
P0st~tradsr has been ordered not to sell recruit
! any more liquor. The investigation is liable /.
lead TO the conrt-martial Of some OF the com
i nissioned officers stationed at the post
Admiral Kimberly has arrived and he pre-
sents his side of the story Of the Nipsic affair
He claims that she is not In nearly so bad
: condition al was represented by Capt Mullins
) report. He says that ho has succeeded Il
q having her repaired, so that she is almost a
q good az she ever was, aud II she had her gun,
anchors, etc, on board would be ready for
: threo-yeara' cruise.
PRESENT TO THE BIOLOGICAL GARDRE,
DR. McCiillieuddy who was Agent of th