The National tribune., 1896-05-21
HELD THEM AT BAY.
Incidents I'm the Career of Gen. George C.
Strong.

Strong.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: A ship
having on board several seamen and young
| girl who had been taken from a wreck off the
coast of Florida, arrived at Ship Island, Miss,
in April, 1862. The girl was the daughter
OF physician in New Orleans. Her pres
ence here excited great interest, and every
body was ready TO serve the child. Gen.
Butler employed the best means he could to
restore her to her father He dispatched the
Chief of his Staff, Maj. George {. Strong, TO
Biloxi, small watering place across the
sound, equi-distant between New Orleans
and Mobile, with instructions to place the
child in charge of a magistrate. on CONDITION
that he would take her at once 10 her par
ents. Iu dine time Maj. Strong arrived be-
fore Biloxi and displayed his flag of truce.
He was accompanied by Capt. Conani, oil
the 3lst Mass, aud crew of sailors. Pres
emily boat came off and the business IN
hand was made known. The child was
given up in proper form TO person who
was described to be Justice of the Peace.
1t was now quite dusk, and in attempting
TO get over the bar Mai. StTong's schooner
got aground. Upon seeing this some Seces-
sion soldiers on the shore demanded that he
should surrender. They tried by threats OF
violence 10 Brighten him, but the Major
simply sent his "dinky" to Ship Island,
distance of II miles, for assistance. In the
meantime, he was aground, the object oil
obloquy and insulting menace; but though
having but two persons on board his little
craft. he was defiant. The Secessionists 10
the number of 80 persons came OFF in two
boats and demanded instant surrender.
i am here under flag Of truce perform
ing an Office of mercy to one of your citl-
zens," said the Major, land if you attempt
TO violate the laws of this sacred mission L
will blow you with this howitzer (placing
his hand as he spoke upon round piece of
wood, which resembled the arm named).
Il will blow you SO deep into - that
your Commander-in-Chef will find it diff
Guilty to produce you at taps"
Upon this the Mississippi heroes retired
to the shore 10 consult with their compan-
ions; and the beach parley over, they came
out again within haling distance TO ask:
How many men have you got?"
Enough to defend this vessel"
While saying this, his two companions, by
action and speech, appealing TO the empty
hold of The schooner, 4" Be quiet, don't come
on deck yet" etc. The Majors determined
manner, coupled with the belief in the
mind of the Secessionists that the belly of
the schooner was full of men, seemed to
deter Them from coming on board. Further
questions and answers were had, however,
but Maj. Strong repeated that he would not
only not surrender, but that he would pun
ism rebels for this special indignity.
Finally, the SO Mississippians pulled off,
and after a discharge OF musketry at Maj.
Strong, disappeared in the thickness Of
H. I N
the relief of Maj. Strong, and conveyed him
in safety to Ship Island.
The Mai. Strong above referred 10 was
subsequently the youngest full-rank Federal
MaiOr-General graduated from West Point,
who lost his life in the civil war, and the
senior officer killed by Confederate fire from
Fort Sumter. He was born in Vermont and
brought mp in Massachusetts,, where his
ancestor, John Strong, had secured a grant
of lsnd early in the 18th century. His
education was directed by an uncle, Alfred
Lyman Strong, who furnished him with in
structors, and later he attended Wllston
Seminary, Easthampton, Mass, and Union
College, Schenectady, \, Y.
Finally, in 1858, through the family
friendship of Hon. Daniel Webster, and the
kindness of Representative Davis, he Sc
cured an appointment TO the United States
Military Academy, and four years later
graduated from that institution, standing
among the first five in his class, and holding
at the time the highest military Office in the
Corps Of Cadets, that Of first Captain.
Strong entered the army as brevet
Second Lieutenant of Ordnance; was sta
toned at Washington, ID. c.; Budesburg
Pa; Mt. Vernon, Ala, and Watervliet, y. Y.
At the opening of the war, the commandment
at Watervliet openly showed his sympathy
with the Secessionists to such an extent
that Lieutenant, now General, Horace Porter
and lac, Strong, went 10 that officer at risk
of court-mariial, and asked if he, the COM
manding officer, was going to sustain the
National or the Confederate Government.