The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-08-08
A BOYS BRAVERY.
How the q. S. s. Lehigh was Rescued from Peril
GUS Position.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: One OF the
most thrilling incdents which occurred during
the war was that in whiella mere boy acted
most daring and conspicuous part. While in
Charleston harbor. in the latter part of 1863,
one of the steamers under Admiral Dahlgrens
command, the Lehigh, went aground Nov 10y
within easy range of the rebel forts, and 1t was
necessary for quick action to be taken in order
to save her. AT the time Dahlgren was on the
Nahant, the only vessel then near enough to
render timely aid. An attempt was made by
the Surgeon of the Lehigh, DR.. Langshaw, with
two men who rowed him, George Leland aud
Thomas Irving, to pass q hawser from the I'e-
high to the Nahant, but after the line had been
received it parted, and Langshaw staid on the
Nahant. Volunteers were called for by ADJ
miral Dahlgren to pass another hawser. First
TO respond was the boy, Frank s. Giles, only 16
years old, and he was joined by two seamen,
Horatio N Young and William Williams. The
diDgy was lowered and the brave little party
started for tho Lehigh. Meanwhile the di-
lemma Of the Lehigh had been discovered
at the forts and they forthwith took advan-
tage of the embarrassed position of the two
vessels to pour In fire of shot and shell upon
them. making the neighborhood most uncom-
Portable. In spite Of this, and tho fact that
heavy sea was running, which made it
difficult to properly handle the small boat the
side of tho Lehigh was finally reached. and
after much trouble the hawser attached. When
nearly back to the Nahant the hawser was cut
away by shot from the enemy. Nothing
daunted, Giles ordered the boat put about and
made for the Lehigh again with the hawser. and
succeeded in once more attaching It, Arrived
on the deck of the Nahant, Admiral Dahlgren
personally complimented the three for their
persistency and daring, and Giles was advanced
In rank on the spot. while the two others were
honorabIy mentioned to the Secretary of the
Navy, besides General Order being issued to
DO read on all the ships In the fleet. So also
were Dr. Langshaw and the two men who
rowed him mentioned. About q year later
medals Of honor were awarded Giles, Young
and Williams by Secretary Welles. Admiral
Porter In his history, gives the credit of the
affair to Surgeon Langshaw, but inasmueh as the
Doctor did not accomplish what he attempted,
though his bravery and readiness were I'M
doubted, this Ia hardly fair, IL would seem, TO
Giles and the men with him. Giles several times
made himself conspicuous by his brave con-
duct. While In Charleston harbor In 1864, q
boat In which was tho Paymaster with his
accounts and the mails, was passing from the
Nahant TO a transport, was capsized in heavy
sea, and had IL not been for Giles. who apon
coming to the surface caught tho mail bag in
his teeth holding it until rescued, valuable
matter would have been lost. Giles suffered
much from rheumatism and other diseases after
this incident, and has never fully recovered.
He Is living in North And0ver, Mass, broken
down man, though only about 40 years old at
the present writing. Bf