Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-26
A HERO FROM GREECE,
Who Participated in the Merrimac-
Monitor Battle and
SAVED THE LIVES OF II SAILORS,
Tells Of the Most Remarkable Naval
Combat Recorded.
THE TRICK OF A TRAITOR CAPTAIN

In maEing the calls at the residences of
the people in the Third ward, Allegheny, as
census enumerator, Henry Hauck, called at
one house on Perry street, and after max
ing the usual inquiries about the social con-
dition of the family, the young lady who
answered his questions, stated that her
father, Demetrius P. George, had been en-
gagged in the late war and took active part
in the engagement between the rebel IRON
clad Merrimac and the Monitor. The
enumerstor had heard that Mr.. George
saved the lives of II sailors of the war ship
Cumberland. In the enumerator's report to
the authorities at Washington, he stated
this fact. This was how the story leaked
out
Mr.. George was found at his home No. 81
Perry street, and when asked to tell OF his
connection with the battle, said he did not
wish anything published about his action
during the conflict. He was finally pre-
vailed upon to tell the story of his rescuing
the men,
THE GREEK HERO.
Mr.. George is q native of Thessaly, and
speaks English with Greek accent, but re-
lated the story very graphically, neverthe-
less. The deed which he performed never
received any official recognition from the
naval authorities, but all who were engaged
in the great battle will doubtless remember
the daring deed of Mr.. George, who ever
after was called the "Greek Hero" At the
age of IA Mr.. George lett his home and
nv fho fo of
ing around the world five times. he came to
America and made his home in New York.
Life on shore had none of the fascinating
charms for him that the more adventurous
life of seaman possessed, and he became
restless again and returned to his first love.
He. engaged as a sailor on o merchant ship
plying between New York and the Eaat In
dies. The ship had large cargo of goods
to sail with, but just at this time the war
broke out and the captain, named Webster,
concluded not to sail. Instead the ship
started for the South, where things were as
Stunning lively aspect. The captain dis
posed of his cargo and offered his ship to
the United States for service.
Mr.. George accompanied the vessel to the
scene of action, about seven miles above
Fortress Monroe to place called Newport
News where the Union soldiers were estab-
lished in q fort with guns, covering the
harbor. The Merrimac was at this time
wooden vessel with four broadside and two
pivot guns. One OF the first ships to 60
down under the guns OF the Merrimac was
Captain Webster's. After the destruction
of this boat Mr.. George offered his services
to the Union navy, but as he was foreigner,
they would not allow him to enlist at this
time. He went to the port at Newport News
and assisted the forces there. The story in
which he figured prominently is best told by
himself He said:
STORY OF 4 BATTLE.
"It was just the beginning of hostilities
about Fortress Monroe. The United States
man-otwar Cumberland, commanded by
Lieutenant Morris, was lying off Newport
News on the morning of March 9, 1862.
Everything was quiet when the Merrimac
sailed up the bay. The Cumberland opened
fire with its pivot guns when the rebel boat
was about 400 yards away The Merrimac
Immediately returned the fire with its broad
side guns. The Cumberland steamed down
upon the rebel ship and opened fire with her
bioadsides- The fighting was fast and
furious for time, but the Merrimac sue
cumbed to continuous volley from the
Cumberland and went down. This was
before the Merrimac was made an iron clad
and previous to its destruction as blockade
runners.
"After this engagement everything re-
mained quiet for some time. The Cumber-
land went on down to Norfolk and remained
at that place for few months. In the mean
time the Southerners had raised the Merri-
mac and made it an iron-clsd gunboat;which
made it the most formidable foe the Union
gunboats had to contend with. The Cum
berland returned to Newport News then and
made preparations for an attack from the
gunboat. The Merrimac came out a few
days aIterward and steamed up the bay, and
the Cumberland started down to meet the
queer looking craft. All the crew thought
the battle would be brief and few we'll
directed shots from the Cumberland would
sink the boat, but they were sadly mistaken.
The Merrimac came up boldly, and when
both boats were opposite the fort at Newport
News they began to open up fire fercely.
The Merrimac was mounted with two guns
on each of the four sides of its square deck.
FOOLED THE FOE.
''The Cumberland directed four side guns
and two pivot on what they thought was a
frame house erected on fat hull, but with
no effect. The crew of the Cumberland be-
came badly disconnected at not seeing the
gunboat 60 down under the steady fire,
and they all became panic stricken and ran
about the boat in great excitement. I was
in the fort at the time, carrying ammunition
to the guunners, who had six large guns
directed at the Merrimae, which withstood
the fire unhlnchingly. The tide was fast
going out. and with it the Cumberland
swung around and placed it in such posi-
tion that it could not use the broadside
guns. A few well directed shots from the
Merrimac put q large gap in the Cumber-
land, which filled the hold Of the vessel in
few minutes, and the boat went down,
drowning great number Of the crew.
"The masts and rigging OF the ship re-
mained above water when the ship sunk.
and on this number of the crew sought to
save themselves. The seamen went to the
top OF the masts. and remained in that posi-
ton while the once staunch craft disappeared
beneath the waters. The gunners on the
Merrimac, noticing the sailors in the rig
ging, turned their guns on them and tried to
oust them from the temporary shelter the
rigging afforded them, but the aim was
erring, and the rebels saw that it was only
waste OF powder and she'll. They then con-
centrated their forces on the fort, leaving
one gun still banging away at the sailors in
the rigging of the Cumberland.
A DESPERATE VENTURE.
81 saw that no person made any attempt
at rescuing the sailors. So I asked permis-
sion of the commander of the forces in the
fort to take a small gig out to the sunken
ship to rescue the men from the rigging of |
the sinking ship. The position of the |
Cumberland at this time was directly oppo- |