The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-27
DUELING IN THE NAVY.
Some Interesting "reminiscences OF
the Good Old Days.
From the Neo York World.

Some Interesting "reminiscences of
the Good Old Days.
From the Netc York World
In April, 1865, the commander of the
corps of confederate midshipmen detailed
TO guard the confederate treasure found
| himself in Augusta Ga, anxiously await
ing the result OF the armistice proclaimed
by Gems. Johnston and Sherman. At the
hotel ne met old Commodore osiah Tattnall,
whom he had long known.
Several gentleman Of the city, expressing
a wish to hear the comtnodore's naval remi-
niscences, the commander invited them TO
meet the commodore in his room after din
ner, and there over pipe and a glass Of
bad wine-it was in the days of 1865--they
would eudeavor to draw him out. The
plan succeeded, aud the commodore talked
as only he could talk Of the old navy and Its
traditions.
Finally, turning to the commander he
said: did you ever know Commodore
Charles Morganf'
~ was his aid In 1884, IN the Mediter-
ranean.n
Ibid you never observe that he was SUBJ
ject to Ats OF depression or moodinessm said
TattnaH.
The other replied that although "a cat
might look az king" yet in his day a
REFER was not permitted to observe a COM
modore too closely, but that he had sup
posed Morgan TO be a particular jovial,
good-tempered man.
Tattnan proceeded 10 tell those present
that Morgan, when a midshipman in frig-
ate lying of Sandy Hook. quarreled with
another MILDLY; a challenge passed; and it
was agreed to go ashore and fight duel,
without seconds, the survivor to bury his
antagonist and 20 return to the ship. The
commodore said Morgan killed his man and
buried him Ia the sand, and that this was
the cause Of his moody fits
This struck the commander as a remark
able story. He knew the traditions of tho
navy pretty well, but had never heard of il.
Still he knew Tattnall had a good memory,
was a man of unauestionable vsracity,
and not at all given &c Embellishments.
For the last twsnty-seven years the oom-
modore has had this story In his mind. He
has asked many old naval men about it, but
no one had any information on the subject.
He has been told THAI he must have dreamed
it, and indeed he has sometimes wondered
whether Tattnal did really tell him the
story.
And now comes the strange part OF 1t.
Being In the state library at Richmond Va.
a few days ago took down the English
NGUaL Chronicle for 1912 and there found
! the following:
"The following extraordinary succession
| of calamaties lately occurred on board the
| United States frigats Constitution: Two
midshipmen, OF the names Of Morgan and
Rogers. went on shore and fought q duel,
In which Rogers was killed and Morgan
wounded. The next day while the process
zion Of boats was moving to attend the
| funeral of the young man who had thus
fallen miserable victim to the imperious
| laws of honor, a sailor fell from the mast
head of the frigats and was killed. In a
quarter of an hour another fell from the
yNia M hfr RI hat ha iad he
next day. While they were lowering the
wounded man into the cockpit another fell
backward into IL and badly fractured his
leg. Two days aftsrward "a the frigate
was sailing rapidly up the Delaware bay, a
midshipman fell overheard and was
| boats to 60 to his relief three men were
plunged Into the water, from which they
were saved with difficulty by the surround
| ing boats"
II Morgan was a midshipmau when he
| fought the duel it probably came of before
| 1919. for he was in July of that year an act
| ing lieutenant on board the Constitution.
He was the sixth lieutenant (acting) of the
| Constitution when she captured the British
frigate Guerrero, Aug. 10. 1912.
Charles Morgan entet d the navy as a
rnidshipman in 1907. In the spring Of that
year a gentleman, in gig, was driving
along a country road in Albemarle county.
|
fifteen years of age invited him 70 take a
seat in the conveyance.
what is your name" said the gentle
man.
Charley Morgan" was the reply.
The gentleman entered into conversation,
| and was much pleased with the Youths
frankness and Wit He asked him how he
would like to enter the navy and go to sea,
and upon Charley's saying he would like IL
very much told him that II he would come
over to Washington he would assure him of
a midshipman's warrant. AS Charley
stepped ous OF the gig to take a cross-road
| home, the gentleman called out to him:
Tell your father you have been riding
with Thomas jefferson, President of the
| United States"
mo, won't neither, )" replied the boy.
"Why notT' asked MIR. jefferson 10 sur
prise.
"If my father heard had ridden with
Thomas Jefferson" said the boy, ''he would
give me the worst hiding ever had In my
life"
"Wel," said the President, "come to
Washington anyway, and I'll keep my
word.n
And this is the way Charles Morgan hap
pened to enter the United States navy.
The same number of the Naval Chronicle
just referred to contains the following:
"a SAILORS JOKE"
"When the Pigmy cutter some time last
year had just oome to an anchor off Venice
she was visited by one Of the state Condo
las. or barges, from the town, the awnings
and other equipments Of which were made
as they all, in general, are-of black
| velvet, richly ornamented with tassels
The boatswains mate. who attended the
side upon the occasion, came below immedi-
ately atterward and addressed one Of bis
companions with Blast my eyes. Jack
what dye thinks just come elongside-a
hearse, by jiminyln