The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-01-14
ADMIRAL RODGERS DEAD.
A Nephew or the Hero or Lake Erie who Gained
Fame In the Navy.

ar-Admiral G.. X. p. Rodgers, u. s. Navy
retired, died at the Richmond, in Washington
on Friday, Jan. &. He had been in failing
health for some years, his principal trouble
being heart disease. On Christmas day he had
an attack Of indigestion, which completely
prostrated him, and his heart began TO fail
and since that time he has been kept alive
only by the use Of strong stimulants. ON
Thursday morning he rallied slightly, but he
began to fail, and was only partly conscious
until 8 o'clock on Friday afternoon, when lac
passed away, surrounded by his family.
Rear Admiral Christopher Raymond Perry
Rodgers was born in New York Nov. IL, 1919.
When scarcely IL years Of age ho was appointed
a Midshpman i'm the Fall of 1888, and in the
next year was sent on a three years cruise in
the Pacific. Next he was on the Florida coast
in lS39-40, and in 1928 on the Guinea
coast, where we then kept vessels watching 10
suppress the slave trade in 1917 he was
ordered 10 what was then known as the Home
Squadron and participated in the war with
Mexico at the siege and reduction OF Vera Cruz
aud the capture Of IObascO. Meantime he had
been promoted to Passed Midshipman in l539
and to Lieutenant in 1874, aud that latter rank
he held when the war Of the rebellion broke
oat Ia 1859 he was First Lieutenant OF
the flagship Wabash In the Mediterranean feet,
and in the latter year was ordered 10 the Naval
Academy as Commandant Of Midshipmen,
where he was serving when the rebellion Of
1861 began.
in the Fall Of 1861 he was promoted TO tho
rank OF Commander, and such was his high
standing in the service that he was selected to
command the frigate Wabash the flagship Of
Commodore Du POnt in the famous Port Royal
expedition. How Commander Rodgers fought
his ship under the eyes Of his feet commander
and how that famous commander recognized
and complimented his work at the battle Of
Hilton Head and the other batteries defending
Port Royal Sound, is public matter Of history.
In the subsequent operations through the
neighboring sounds aud inlets, Commander
Rodgers was SO constantly participating that
he seemed 10 be of on hazardous expeditions
more than he was commanding bis own splCn-
did frigate IL he did not command an expedi-
ton Of gunboats on special service" he was
sure to accompany the expedition" and was
always heard from.
When in 1863 Rear-Admiral Dahlgren as
sumed command Of the South Atlantic Block
aiding Fleet, Commander Rodgers was made
Fleet Captain, or Chief Of Stat, aud seemed 20
have rowing commission, for whenever there
was an expedition Of any kind, great or little
in force, the records show that Rodgers was
with IT, and took an important hand. Thus,
when Gen. Gilmore reduced Fort Pulaski, at
the mouth Of the Savannah River, Rodgers was
az hand with the gunboats, aud helped by driv-
was sent 10 Florida that took 81. Augustine and
Fernandina, and cleared the rebels away for
good from the 81. Mary's River, and G. r. T.
Rodgers had hand in all and received the sur
render Of ST. Augustine.
In the battles Of the feet of Charleston with
the rebel batteries ashore he did gallant aud
prominent service, and in one Of those fierce
cannonades was afflicted with the loss Of his
younger brother, Commander George Rodgers
MIN NH
was killed by q rebel shell that burst almost
at his feet on deck. Ia 1864 he was placed in
command Of the swift EOOp- of-war IroquOis,
one OF the vessels selected for special service TO
hunt up aud fight the rebel cruisers aud the
war ended with that command. In July. 1866.
he became Captain, and after service at the
Norfolk hayy-yHrd he commanded the frigate
Franklin IN lsGs-7O, when the great Admiral
Farragut sailed in that good ship rs his flag
ship in the European cruise, when he received
such honors as no other sailor hero ever had
before. Just after retiring in the Franklin
Capt. Rodgers became a Commodore august
lS7Ol and June II, lS74, was promoted TO Rear.
Admiral, retiring in November 1881, on becon-
ing 62 years Of age. In has later years Of sery-
ice be was Superintendent Of the Naval Acade.
] my, Chief Of Bureau Of the Navy DEPARTMENT.
aud frequently Acting Secretary Of the Navy.
lie was living evidence Of heredity as far
as inclination for military service goes Rear
Admiral John Rodgers, who died in Washing
| Ton several years ago, was an uncle that great
sailor Commodore Matthew q. Perry. who
opened up Japan 10 outside civilization and
progress, was another uncle; that brilliant and
meieoric soldier Gen. Randall Sidell Mac
kenzie, who died in an insane asylum in Is-g.
was a cousin one Of the most efficient as well
AZ gallant young officers Of the 18th u. s. Cav.
is Capt. Alexander Rodgers, a son; aud he was
the nephew Of Commodore Oliver Hazard
Perry, the hero Of Lake Erie
The funeral services were held In st Johns
Church on Monday, aud the body was taken 10
Annapolis for interment beside his wife,