The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-06-09

assigned to command the fotilla. He was ap-
pointed Midshipman in the Navy March IL.
| 1887 and died with the rank of Rear-Admiral
at Washington, d. c., Dec. 2, 1882. after 40
years active service. In June, 1862, Capt
Wyman was relieved by Capt. A. 81. HARDWOOD,
who continued in command until December,
1868, when he was relieved by Capt. Foxhall A.
| Parker, who continued in command until the
close Of the war and the fotilla disbanded.
Many important captures were made by the
Potomac fiotilla of vessels attempting to supply
provisions to the enemy, and many thousand
dollars worth of supplies intended for the rebel
| army were, through its vigilance, destroyed.
These were events which, though not very
brilliant, nevertheless contributed to putting
down q rebellion conceived in sin and brought
forth in niquity. The rebels, finding they
could not close the navigation of the Potomac,
Were driven from or compelled to evacuate its
banks in the Summer of 1862 and that historic
stream, connecting Washington with the ocean,
was kept open during the entire war, through
the fundamentally of the gallant heroes of the
Potomac hotila. whose humble services con-
tributed very largely in saving the National
Capital.
The fotilla was disbanded by order of the
Secretary of the Navy July 81, 1865. on which
occasion Capt Foxhall A. Parker issued fare
well order to the survivors. of which the fol-
lowing is copy, and is worthy of publication
sentiments it expresses and lesson it teaches:
CAPT. PARKER's ORDER.
Officers and Men of the Potomac Flotilla:
The war for the preservation of the Union being
at an end, the Potomac Fotla, which took its rise
with 1t and grew with its growth until il had be-
come flcet rather than fiotla, this day happily
ceases to exist In taking leave of those with
whom have been so long associated my heart is
filled with varied emoiions-with sorrow Mt part
ing, glsdness that our beloved country no longer
has need of our services and pride just pride that
when reflect upon the past, and remember the
taking up of the torpedocs from the Rappahan-
mock, with the destruction capture of the whole
rebel force engaged in planting ttenl thereby
making Fredericksburg a secure base of supplies
Tor zen. Grants vast army; the burning of The
schooners in Mattox Creek under the severe mus
kerry lire OF the enemy, and the almost daily eS
petitions up the rivers in the creeks and through
requiring skill and nerve can truly say that The
Potomac Ffotlila has not been unmindful OF the
traditional honor and glory of the Navy.
Your services however eclipsed by the daring
deeds oil your more fortunate comrades in-arTs on
other stations have equally with theirs contributed
TO The suppression of the rebellion, and in disc
pine IN dill IN all the requirements, in short of
an organized force, have not, in the course of n
naval experience of % years. served in squadron
which eycelled the which for the last 10 months
it has been my good fortune to command.
To those OF you who about to return to civil lie
/ would say render the cheerful obedience to
the civil you haze to the naval law. Cast your
votes regularly and quietly good citizens at the
polls, SO keeping your hearts with malice toward
none with charity toward ALL that after each Presi
dental election, whether IL be with against you
you may respond heartilv TO old Navy toast;
The President of the United States, God bless
him"
And may God he with you ali. Farewell.
foxHALI A. PARKER, Commanding Potomac
flotila.
C.S.S Don, Washington Navy yard, July 81, 1861
ITO be c3ntinued.l