The record-union., 1897-05-31
ALBBMARLB'S DESTROYER.
New Light On the Character Of the
Gallant Cushing.
Psychological Side of the Fearless
Young American Who Destroyed
the Confederate IrOnclad.

one night last week L saw together dt
the same time in the Arlington, Wash
ington, the President Of the United
States, three members of the Cabinet
two Generals of the army, one Admiral
one Commodore, a dozen army and navy
officers of lower rank. and probably
twenty Senators and Representatives.
Several strangers to whom these celeb
rites We're pointed out by one of the
ubiquitous know everybodies, with
whom Washington abounds, were Saz-
ing at them with sort of furtlve
admiration. Five gentlemen were
at one Of the tables and were much IN
terested in the curiosity of the stran,-
gers, as we'll as in the discussion of the
subject of the erection of monuments
to commemorate the lives of men who
had served their country. One of the
party remarked that a movement was
now on foot to put UP a shaft to the
memory of one of the bravest men
that ever trod quarter deck, And
man." said the speaker, who, if alive
to-day, and made his appearance here,
would cause every hat to be lifted, and
every eye to be turned upon him. lie
would attract more attention than any
soldier or statesman now in this room.
I am speaking Of William 3. Cushing,
the youthful lieutenant commander,
who after something like four years or
most remarkable experiences, cuiml-
mated his career by blowing up the Con-
federate ironclad Albemarle under such
circumstances as to excite the wonder
and admiration of the enemy. and to
call forth a vote of thanks from the
Congress Of the United States. He was
promoted to Lieutenant Commander
when he was but - years of age, after
having received five congratulatory let
ters from the Secretary of the Navy.
The history of the navy does not par
allel this record.
CUSHING'S PECULIAR EYE.
But. before telling you of what he
did. I want to tell you what he was,
and why every head would be lifted II
he were to walk into this room at this
moment, Notwithstanding the presence
of so many distinguished personages.
Cushing at 10 years of age, was fully
six feet high. His figure was slight
but graceful. and there was something
in his manner so mature that it seemed
to belle his youthful countenance. His
hair was rather light in color and worn
rather long. His expression denoted
firmness without severity and reSolu-
ton without bravado. He had that
contour of jaw which for lack of bet
ter descriptive phrase l will call half
square. You would not pick him out as
a man of extraordinary courage by TAX
ing the lower part of his face as your
indication. but / think you would form
that opinion a moment after your eye
met his. 1t was his peculiar feature.
Gushing had an eye, if l may make
the simile. like a game cock. OF course,
you understand / mean in it's express
sion. 1t was clear, gray eye. set pref
ty we'll back under almost square
brows. When Cushing looked at any
object nothing could divert his atten-
ton. His eyes seemed to be station
ary. They never wandered from one
object to another. You might explode a
giant cracker at his feet, and if he
We're looking at your face at the time
you would never see him blink, but if
you dropped the cracker with hostile
intent you would realize how quickly
he would divine your purpose by TAX
ing the offensive with the rapidity of
lightning. His gaze was one OF con-
tinuous, intelligent intensity. People
who knew him used to say that his
head moved around his eyes, and not
his eyes inside of his head.