The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-03-20
A BRAVE SEAMAN.
Buried With Naval Honors
at Mare Island.
One of the Men Who Directed the
KearSarge'S Guns Against
the Alabama.
Correspondence of THE MORNING. CALL.

VALLEJO, March 10. - The funeral of
Charles Richard. ex-seaman, one OF the 163
men comprising the crew of the United
States ship hearsarge during her memorable
sea fight with the Alabama Sunday morning.
June 10, 1863 off Cherbourg France, took
place from the naval hospital, Mare Island
Navy-yard, at $3.50 O'clock yesterday after
noon. The funeral was attended by detach-
ments OF men from the various ships and
firing party from the marine barracks. The
deceased has resided in this city for num-
Der OF years, and when taken sick not long
ago he-though not in the service at the
time. by order of the Surgeon-G 9neral of
the navy-was granted permission to be
treated In the hospital. just prior 10 the
engagement of the Kearsarge and Alabama
Richard was serving on board of a French
man-of-war, then lying a Cherbourg. where
he held petty officers billet. He learned
that an engagement would take place as
soon as Preparations were completed on
board of the Alabama, which had arrived a
few days before from the Cape of Good
Hope. The kearsarge was lying off the
entrance TO the haTbOr awaiting the steam
ing out of the Alabama. Richard desired
much to be In the fight and on board of the
kearsarge. II managed to secure liberty
from the French ship ana then made his
but three days before Captain Winslow
and Executive Officer Thornton at once saw
by his bearing and manners that he would
prove valuable acquisition to their crew,
and assigned him to one of the 1l-inch pivot
smnoth-bOre guns.
The third day after his enlistment the
Alabama, having completed her prepare
tons for the proposed fight, steamed out of
the harbor and along the west of the break
water, escorted by he French ironclad
al hot ff.lg a bod laFt
The Kearssrge was lying about three miles
off the eastern entrance, Following the two
ships was the English yacht Deerhound and
score Of others. Captain Semmis having
made public his intention to fight the yam
kee ship the bav was filed with yachts and
boats of all kinds and the shores and break
water were lined with spectators.
Aboard the kearsarge all preparations
had been made and as she saw the enemy
coming she steamed further out from shore
to be sure of being clear Of neutral grounds.
The weather was beautiful, with slight
haze, but not enough to ObstTuct the view of
the spectators. The Ala bRma steamed
slowly after the Kearsarge and when about
seven miles from land the latter ship turned
almost IN her own length and made for the
priyateeT which opened ire al distance Of
about mile from the starboard side. Dur
ing the fight each ship fought from this side.
The keaTSarge made for the Alabama at
full speed and received two or three broad
sides before she opened fire. When within
the short distance Of 900 yards the Kearsarge
opened with five Of her gus, the two
n-inch, Two thirty-two FOUNDERS and one
thirty pound rife. Richards pulled the
lockstring OF one If the ll-inch guns. The
fight was then commenced in earnest, seven
complete revolutions being made The IL
inch guns effected the most destruction,
blowing out the sides of the Alabama, and
a great deal of credit may be given the man
who was buried in the little naval cemetery
a the island for the winning of the fight,
by the Kearsarge for the excellent mark
manship displayed by him on that Sunday
morning.
After the fight, which lasted an hour aud
twenty minutes, lie was active to assist in
saving the crew of the Alabama.
Upon the heaTsarge returning to port the
French officers learned that Richard was on
board and formal demand was made ON
Captain WinslOw for their man. The de-
mand was acced ed TO and Richard returned
to his ship, where he was retained until
discharged. Upon receiving his papers he
shipped in the United States navy aud
served twelve years as a seaman. oIdng
various petty positions. Upon receiving
his last discharge he, being in i'll health,
did not re-enlisf but remained at Vallejo
employing himself with odd jobs when able
to do anything. Upon being taken i'll few
months ago Surgeon-General NJ. Browne.
u. 5. N, WHO served on the Kearsage during
the fight. granted permission TO have him
admitted TO the hospital at Mare Island.
While in the hospital every attention that
could be bestowed upon him by MediGal
Inspector George w. Wood and his corps Of
assist ants was rendered. The old seaman
appreciated each of these acts of kindness
In the highest degree. Admiral Irwin, COM
mandant OF tho station accorded him a
military funeral, and sent Instructions to
the commanding officers Of the ship to allow
as many men to attend the funeral as de-
sired. B0atswan p. Haley, L. S. n, had
charge Of the procession, and Chaplain j. K.
Lewis. u. S. n, read the funeral ceremony
and made appropriate remarks. After con-
signing the body to mother earth a voley
WAS fred and taps from the bugle announced
tile completion of the ceremony.