The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-05-20
American Backbone in 1850
How Commodore Ingraham
Rescued Martin Koszta
From Austria.
N. Y. World.

The events now occurring in Cuba
recall the manner in which the honor
and dignity of the United States gov
eminent were upheld by Commander
Duncan Nathaniel Iograham 10 July,
1850, before Smyrna, 10 the Mediter-
ranean. Undeterred by the odds
against him, this officer compelled an
Austrian warsbip much the superior of
his own craft, to deliver over to him an
American citizen who vas unjustly de-
tanned aboard.
Commander 1ugrabam, on the sloop-
of-war St. Louis, was 10 command of
the only ship at that time cruising in
the Mediterranean 10 June of the
year named information was brought to
him that Martin Kosz.a, an American
citizen, was prisoner on the Austrian
warship Hussar. Ingraham immedi-
asely investigated the report and found
that it vas true.
Kosz:a, it seems, was Hungarian BY
birth and patriot by nature. With the
hope of freeing Hungary from Austria
he had entered deeply into the political
plots of 184S. and With the overthrow
Of the conspiracy had fed for his life to
the United States For two years he
lived here, taking out citizens first
papers and establishing himself in bust.
ness. Then be vas called by his affairs
to Smryna. and be went there openly
in the belief that he was protected.
But hardly had he arrived 10 Smyrna
when the Austrian consul-geperal heard
of it, and one night he was seized and,
at the orders Of the consul general,
taken aboard the Hussar.
Commander lngrabam sailed toto the
harbor aud went direct to the American
consul. Together the two men appear
ed before the Austrian consul general
and demanded to see Kosz.a. They
refused to accept the coosuls word that
be was 10 comfort, and finally they
were put aboard the Hussar. There
they fouud the man chained to the deck
with heavy irons. Koszta said that be
had signed his Intention of becoming
an American citizen, although be had
no papers with him. and on the
strength of this Ingraham wrote to the
charge d'a6aires at Copstautinople ask
ing for instructions.
While awaiting an answer the COM
mander learned that the Hussar would
sail with her prisoner oo June 20. He
sent in a protest on June %, asking
for delay. No reply was received and
Ingraham took the matter into bis own
hands.
Hauling up anchor. be beat to wind.
ward, anchored above the Hussar, and
cleared decks for action. The Russar,
in the face of this menace, did not sail.
She had a much heavier armament
than the St. Louis, but her CON mmauder
vas apparently awed by Iugrahams
show of action But ou July l three
other Austrian warships sailed 10 and
took up achorage close to the Hussar-
On that day the answer came from
the American diplomatic representative
es he porte He advised Commander
Iograham that Koszta was an American
citizen aud should be protected. Iogra-
nam, on the strength Of this, acted
promptly. Oo the Austrian warships
there were nearly double the
guss Of the ST. Louis. 1ogra-
ham manned his guns aud
wore around into position to rake the
feet. Theu be sen, of a boat to the
Austrian commander with the ultima
tun:
:'Serd that man. Martin Koszta,
ashore within eight hours or | will open
ire." The grim preparations we're
seen from the Austrian warships, and
th..r commanders knew it meant busi-
ness. Word vas sent ashore telling
the coalition of affairs and presently
the report got around the
town. Tn fear that the port would be
wiped out of existence deputation of
citizens waited on lograham. Almost
in tears they begged him not to fight
Ingraham's answer vas:
Gentlemen the man must be deliver
ed ashore or I will take him"
Five hours after the ultimatum was
seot Koszta was put ashore and IN
charge Of the French consul.
Congress voted Ingraham medal.
He died in Charleston. s c., Octo
rOOI