The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-05-29
THE CHICKAMAUGA PARK.
DRAMATIC WAR INCIDENT
The Man Who Lashed Farragut to the
Rigging.

Tho death Mt Annapolis, Nd, of an old
mnn-of-war's man, John II. Knowles, recalls
a dramatic incident OF the war which has
become historical, and one that the late
William Page made the subject of his we'll
known picture.
On the morning Of Aug. 8, 1884, Admiral
Farrayut stood In the port main rigging OF
the flagship Hartford, several leet above the
deck. rs his squadron entered Mobile Bay.
From this elevated position the Admiral
could view the progress OF the light, watch
the movements of the Confederate ram Ten
nessee. commanded by his old friend Bu-
chanan, aud also communicate easily with
the 1letacomet, lashed alongside to port. AS
the heavy hribs Increased. and the smoke
hung over the deck, step 10y step the Admiral
climbed the rigging to gain clearer view OF
the bay, until lie reached the fu,tock-shrouds
just under the top" Here, leaning against
the stuy, he intently watched the engage
ment. Capt. Dfayton and the officers stand
ing on the poOp-deck. observing his perilous
position, and fully aware that even n slight
wound might cause the Admiral to loose
his footing. hutriedly ordered the Signal
Quartermaster, Knowles TO take piece OF
rope up to the Admiral and make his position
secute. This Is the simple statement OF
Knowles to the writer. "Mr. Watson [now
Capt. j. C. ordered me TO go up in the port
main-rigging where the Admiral was and
put rope around him. | cut of fathom
or two from new lead-line which was lying
OH deck, went up the ratings to where the
Admiral was standing with era-glasses In
his hand. Just under the futtock-ehrouds,
aud made the forward end OF the line fast.
As took the other end around the Admiral
he passed the remark that the rope was not
nt cessary, but l went on aud made the after
end secure. don't think he noticed the
rope around him. as we were square abreast
OF Fort Morgan. and 1t was pretty hot work,
but wlen the ship got clear OF the forts the
Admiral cast the rope adtift before he could
como down" THIS statement is certified
to by James Smith, of Baltimore, Captain OF
tho Mizzentop.
The controversy in regard to this incident
arose from the fact that Farragut came down
on deck quickly after the ships entered the
bay. but the circumstances as above related
are fully corroborated by Drayton, Watson,
and in fact, by letters from farragut him
self. subsequently. when the Hartford ram
med the Tennessee, the Admiral was In the
port mzzen-rigging, where, Watson says,
II secured him with my own hands to pre-
vent his being thrown odt Of the rigging by
the shock OF the collision"
John Hazard Eowes was born at South
Kingston, Washington Co., II. L., August 10,
1884. At the time OF his death he had just
completed his enlistment having been con-
tinuously in the navy since May 10, 1856.
He served In the Constellation, Brooklyn,
Donegal, and Phox, and on tho Hartford
during the whole war, participating in all her
engagements. Since 1868 he has been at
tached TO the Naval Academy. He was proud
OF the fact that he was "true-Dorn Ameri-
| can OF old Roger Williams stock" and that
| he hoisted the first Rear-Admiral's flag in the
United States Navy, June, 1862.
He had fine record In the service, and
was good specimen OF the "men behind the
guns. "-Hatper's Weekly.