The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1889-02-08
The Late Admiral lie Roy.
From the Philadelphia Ledger.

FROM the fnllauelphla Ledger.
II Reading the account of the death and burial of
Real Admiral LIE Roy, in last Fridays Ledger,
brought vividy to my mind many STIRRING met
dents OF the late war. served on board the U
y. 3 Keystone State nearly two years. when Rear
Admiral lie Roy Uhen Cummander) was in COM
mand of that vessel. and can say that no nava
officer was more humane and kind to his men,
and frmIy believe ali on board from the small
est messenger boy TO the oldest blue jacket,
loved and respected him. Ii was Com inander e
Roy's rule always, when hammoeks were piped
down. to have all hands mustered below ON III
berth deck. and when all was quiet. the mast, r.
alarms would place small table aud pr ay or
book In the centre OF the berth deck. then Com
mander lie Roy would kneel in prayer. This
showed that while he took interest in the bodi-
ly comforts OF his men, he also took deep mi Ter
est IN their spiritual welfare as well. Here | will
relate. in as few words as possible an incident
which happened while on the blockade or Char
lesion. y. Z. twill be remember ed that the Key
stone State was attacked by two iron-clad rams,
the Chckora and Palmetto State, early on Satur-
day morning, January 81, 1868. We fought the
rams for nearly two hours in the dark and Just as
II was getting daylight, we received a shot from
the ram, which struck us on the port side about
amIdshp and went crashing through the vessels
side into the steam drum. Instantly the vessel
was developed IN steam. Every wounded man
below on the berth deck was killed by the hot
steam, the doctor and doctors steward bot
being among the number. No doubt we would
have been taken prisoners into Charleston had
assistance. The sunboat Memphis came ' along n.y.
side and towed us 10 Port Royal. which place we
reached about shutdown. The first naval officer
that boarded US was Commodore Dupont. Our
vessel truly presented sad appearance. The
vessels sides and decks were torn In several
places and we had about 20 men lying dead on
the spar deck covered over with blankets, and
over that number lay wounded in different par Is
OF the ship. We cast anchor in the back chan
mel. and that evening, when hammocks were
piped down. the men assembled below on the
berth deck, as usual, the small table and prayer
book placed In their proper places. Commander
LIE Roy then knelt in prayer, with the dead and
dying around US. 1t was the most solemn occa-
sion witnessed while in the navy. Early In
\Junr, 1858, the Keystone State was ordered Nortr
I'VE arrived IN Phiadsl pm la about the 10Th of the
month and cast anchoru the Navy Yard the
crew was put on board the receiving ship Prince
ION and the marine guard transferred TO the bar
lacks. But just before leaving the Keystone
State all hands were mustered aft on the quarter.
beck, where the men were addressed by Com.
lnapder lie Roy In very appropriate words, and
closed by bidding the men good bye The crew
then gave three cheers. and believe no naval
officer ever received three heartier cheers thar
we're given on that occasion. After leaving the
Keystone state i mover saw Commander Ii
Roy again nor knew OF his whereabouts. Till
read the account OF his death in the Public Lsdgtr
May he rest in peace.
X. A. LA BAY.