The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-13

Commodore to give the boy passage. The
Commodore still refused. About this time
the Queen ordered the Nashville and Tus-
carora 10 leave English waters. Commo-
dore Pegram did not obey tho order. but
went TO London to arrange for his stay.
While he was away some hands
were shipped on the Nashville
and among them the Commodore after
ward found young Dawson. Later cir
cumstances led him to appoint Dawson as
Captains clerk, and this appointment was
confirmed by the Confederate Secretary Of
her return. Soon afterhis return, Pegram
was placed in command of the James
River squadron, and he took with him
Dawson, TO whom he had become greatly
attached. The James River feet was for
a long time inactive, TO Dawson's regret,
for he had come to fight One night a
splash was heard alongside his ship,
and soon man was seen swim.
ming toward the Federals. There was a
general discharge Of guns at him, but il
was not known whether he was hit At
the roll call in the morning young Dawson
was missing. A few days aiterward it
was learned that he had swan far enough
toward the Federals TO escape the Commo-
dore's sentinels, and had then reached
Capt. W. T. Pegram's battery. This bat
terry was in few days in the thckest OF a
fight, and il is Capt. Pegram's
testimony that he never witnessed
such cool bravery in his life as
was displayed by young Dawson. lie
was wounded and the Commodore had
him taken to Richmond. While he was
there an order was issued for the exam-
nation OF men for the Ordnance Depart.
ment. The Commodore furnished Dawson
with books. and two or three times week
he went to Richmond and examined his
young friend. He progressed rapidly,
and he stood first in the official examine
ton. Though not entirely recovered from
his wound, he reported at once for duty,
and before the war closed, he had adj
vanced to the first position in his branch Of
the service.
After the war Capt. Dawson Joined the
ranks Of the Southern journalists, and II is
ms an editor that he Is best known in the
North. For many years hc had been edi-
tor Of the Charleston Acirs and Courier,
and in that position he supported all the
Democratic measures for obtaining control
OF the government OF South Carolina. No
native OF the State was more ardent or
more active in the work Of giving control
OF the State to the Democratic minority,
and his journal, the most powerful in the
State, put courage into many Demo-
Gratis who could not at hrt clearly
see their way to approving the high
handed outrages, which at last gave their
party supreme control. Outside OF politics
Capt. Dawson was active in promoting
the welfare OF the State, and when
Charleston and other South Carolina cities
were visited by ruinous earthquakes lac
took prominent part in raising relief
funds in the North.
II was after leaving the Confederate
army Capt. Dawson became employed rs
a reporter on the Richmond Dispatch.
Alter several years spent Ia Richmond he,
with II. W. Riordon, purchased the
Charleston Neis, Mr.. Dawson subsc-
quently succeeding Mr.. RiurdOn as sole
owner. lie was leading aud prominent
citizen OF the State. and WIS well known
a. the member foT South Carolina OF the
Democratic National Committee.
Capt. Dawson achieved considerable
distinction on account OF his stcddiast re-
iusil 10 engage In duel some years since,
In response To a challenge from one OF the
most prominent citizens Of the State. lie
bodily announced that he was opposed to
dueling methods. For this attitude he
received substantial Endorsement from the
Pope. During the memorable earthquake
that nearly destroyed Charleston, Capt.
Dawson wns able 20 publish his paper
throughout the entire period Of alarm and
distress, and rs soon as the telegraph
wires yerg ia oDpratiou ont Of gharlgston
furnished graphic and effective dcscrip.
tons OF that memorable night aud the sue.
oceding day that filed Charleston with
distress and desiitution.
He was gentleman held in highest re-
spect by persons OF all classes and conli-
tons, and prominent citizens declare that
his killing must have been a deliberate
aud outrageous murder.