New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-02
FIGHTING TOM" STEVENS.
THE CAREER OF A GALLANT OLD SEA
DOG
SrIRRING INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF AN AMERI-
CAN ADMIRAIr-IHS RECORD DURING THE
MAR-EARIY DAYS " TIE NANY-NIS

WAR-EARIY DAYS IN THE NANY-HlS
HOME IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
Washington. April (Spec!aD.-It is unfortunate
that IN official history SO much OF interest must VI
necessity be left out. When il was the fash'oh 10
write voluminous diaries this was not so regret
table. The autographs Of heroes supphea 'he
picturesque detail. In the hurryins end OF our
century this custom has quite gone out OF fashioh
and many interesting incidents that would adorh
history are lost II is, after all. the lives OF the
great men, the personal parts they played that are
the most inspiring. the most inducive to PATRIOTISM.
The story of Thermopylac. of Quintus Curtlus
Jump into the chasm. Horatio at the bridge. ana
the cup of cold that the sorely wounded sgd
ney gave the dying soldier because Thy need IS
greater than mine" will Eve always and be moral
inspirations through all ages
There arc in Washington any number of heroes
OF the Civil War, but are not hero-worshippers
and these men live quietly and undisturbed. save
occasionally they are sought out by newspaper
ecr,bes in search of paragraphs. Among all OF us
old sea-dogs' who are laid on the shelf no one
Is more interesting than Fighting Tom stevens,
said retired naval officer recently. This name,
which brings up violent scenes Of battle OF shot
and shell and desperate action. hardly seems to
fit the gentle quiet man. who wrapped in big
navy cloak. is a familiar figure in the streets OF
Washington. 1t is only when Admiral stevens
talks OF the days when he tells of the en-
gagements in which he took part that his eyes
fash with the recolections and the old hghting
spirit is awake again.
Admiral Stevenss personal bravery. his seeming
Indifference danger. a matter OF wonder
and comment to his brother officers and his men.
"As they passed. the admiration OF the flagship
and the Metacomet was aroused by the sight or
Commander Stevens. of the Winnebago, walking
quietly giving his orders. from urret to turret OF
his unwieldy vessel. directly under the enemys
guns" says Captain Mahan in his account OF the
battle of Mobile. in the Gulf and Inland Waters"
Rear-Admral lie Roy writes OF this battle: in
my opinion officer could have exhibited more
GOODNESS Commander Stevens was outside OF the
turrets perfectly exposed and as the vessel COM
manded close alongside his vessel, both run
ming for the Tennessee. and my vessel was
the faster and more manageable he cheered me
with words OF encouragement as ! was passing
This a single instance; IL Admiral
Stevenss constant habit TO remain deck In the
very midst OF shot and shell. Il liked 20
what going on and felt safe deck as
in the turret." his simple explanation Of this
unusual custom.
At the battle of Mobile CAPTAIN stevens COM
manded the Wnnebago For this engagement he
gave up the command of his vessel. the
Oneida, TO Captain Mullany, who. having had no
opportunity TO distinguish himself. volunteered for
this service. Toward the close OF the battle the
Tennessee was about to ram the oneida. which
had already been disabled Commander stevens
anterposed his ironclad between them. when the
crew of the Oneida leaped man TO the rail
and Justify cheered their former captain who had
saved them from destruction-a spontaneous tribute
which has few parallels.
Admiral Stevens inherits his fighting qualities
His father was distinguished Naval officer. Com
modore Thomas Hoidrup Stevens. VINO was
commissioned a lieutenant the age Of eighteen
for his gallantry at the attack upon Black
Rock and the battle OF Lake Erie Con
gress voted him a medal for his brave conduct ana
the citizens of Charleston s G.. presented him with
q sword On his mothers side Admiral Stevens
is direct descendant OF William Brewster. OF
Colonial fame ard the famous Jabez Hamln. one
of the founders of Yale College. his great
great-grandfather From this ancestor Admiral
Stevens has inherited the silver tankard which is
much exploited in Colonial history.
During his early boyhoo1 young Stevens was
constantly in the society Of naval officers. The
heroes of the War of 1872 were his fathers init
mates. cambridge, Hull Stewart and Mac
Donough petted and made much of him. His
imagination was fed with thrilling tales OF the
sea and of great accomplishment. Brought up in
this atmosphere it is not strange that passion
for the profession in which his father had n
usually brilliant career took possession Of the boy.
II was much against the wishes Of his parents,
and everything was done TO wean him from this
fancy AS a last resort Commodore Stevens sent
his boy TO his uncle in Chicago. hoping that new
scenes and new duties would him. He
mained there for two years, occupying himself in
his uncles business house. hunting riding and
passing the time best he could on the frontier
but with the longing for the sea growing always
stronger and stronger Finally. realizing the alb
solute impOssibty Of curing him, Commodore
Stevens procured an appointment mdshipman
for his son. The delighted lad
signed to the old race independence This vessel
was detailed to take George Dallas. Minister TO
Russia, and his family ST. Petersburg 1t was
wonderful voyage. full OF incident and pleasure.
and the most ardent expectations OF the young
midshpman than realized.
When they reached England the coronation OF
Queen Victoria was about TO take place. Minister
Dallas and some Of the officers OF the ship went
up to London for the ceremony. Mr. S,evenss
knowledge Of the affair confined what he
could see about him in the harbor. since, n
fortunately. because Of nidshipnans pranks
he had lost the privilege Of going ashore. But
more interesting 10 him than the coronation OF the
Queen the passing Of Nelson's flagship the
Victory
At Copenhagen the Independence welcomed
with every possible honor. Guns were fired. bunt-
ing was displayed and the King gave reception
to Minister Dallas and the officers but young
Cd Stevens and his comrades had more satisfaction
from the fact that they were anchored the
scene OF Nelson's great fights than In the brilliant
life shore. No MILDLY of that especial time
but worshipped the great naval hero and took him
for a prototype.
At ST. Petersburg Minister Dallas received
with great ceremony. Twelve Russian line OF
battle-shps met the independence outside the bar-
Dor at Kronstadt and escorted her TO anchorage.
Shortly after her arrival the Car Nicholas visited
the ship ncognito. The handsjmest have
ever seen" says Admiral Stevens in speaking Of
him. Tall and straight. broad Of shoulder and
slender OF waist. clean mbed ami stalwart
recognized In him al once a distinguished person
age. The Gar made careful examination OF the
ship talked 10 the miGdies visited the wardroom
and everybody board by his gracious and
affable manner
1t was at this time that Admiral stevens made
the acquaintance Of the Cars brother. the Grand
duke Constantine Years afterward. while in COM
mand OF the Guerriere. the Mediterranean,
he had an audience with the daughter Of Constan
tine, Queen Olga. of Greece. and when the Grand
duke Alexis visited this country he had the peasur
OF entertaining the son OF this Oh acquaintance.
the Young Constantine.
he IndcpenlenCc remained in