The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-07-13
Lieutenant Blue, of South Carolina
Atlanta Constitution.


meet in Atlanta this month there will
be tears of joy shed over the victories
that southern blood is achieving in
the present conflict between this
country and Spain. 1t is pardonable
pride that causes the blood in south
ern veins to leap faster along when
the wires fash fresh from the field Of
battle the story Of some new and dar-
ing exploit executed by son Of the
south. We of the south have always
known the valor of our people, as well
as their loyalty to the American eagle;
but we have been living SO long be-
meath the misrepresentation Of north
ern and eastern political mountebalks
that the world, especially Spain, has
come to look upon us as band OF
rebels who were waiting only for an
opportune time to strike death blow
to the stars and stripes.
When those huge wire cables which
linked Cuba to the outside world were
to be cut, 1T was southern boy who
led the schooner up to and beneath
the fire of the arms of Cienfuegos-
and it was Bagley of North Carolina
who fell. When Cervera, with his
feet, had anchored within the harbor
of Santiago and Admiral Sampson
wanted the cork put into the bottle,
it was southern boy who planned
the work and executed it beneath the
most deadly fire that has yet issued
from Spanish guns. And as result
Hobson of Alabama is held in Span
ish dungeon. When it became neces-
sary for US to communicate with the
insurgent general-in-chief, Gomez,
whose army was on the mainland Of
Cuba, it was a southern boy who, with
IL picked men, led the expedition and
ran the gauntlet of Spanish gunboats
and Spanish soldiers. And when
Admiral Sampson desired information
concerning the number and position
Of Cervera feet, which was hidden
behind the hills in the harbor Of
Santiago, he dispatched this same
southern boy to the perilous task Of
passing the Spanish ranks and obtain
ing a position close enough to the
harbor to give him the information
desired. He covered 70 miles on
muleback in accomplishing this feat.
That boy was Lieut.. Victor Blue Of
South Carolina, executive officer of
the Suwanee with Simpsons fleet off
Cuba. He bears the honor of having
planted the first American flag on
Cuban soil, and, therefore a few facts
concerning his life may prove inter-
esting.
Lieut.. Victor Blue was born in
eastern North Carolina about 30 years
ago, and is descended from the early
Scotch settlers of that district. 1t
may be interesting to note in these
days when heredity claims such an
important part in affairs, that he is
the son of Col. John Gilchrist Blue,
of the Confederate army; the grand
son Of Col. John Blue of the war of
1872, and the great-grandson Of Capt.
John Blue of the Revolutionary war
and of Capt. John Gilchrist Of the
British navy. His father was a
native Of North Carolina and was
member of the body who declared for
secession, his vote being cast for the
When his term expired,
he raised company and went to the
war, being with Lee in the Army OF
Northern Virginia until the surrender
at Appomattox, having attained the
rank of colonel.
Col. Blue moved to Marion when
Victor was baby, so, though he was
born in North Carolina, he is a South
Carolinian every inch Of him. 1t may
be interesting to note in this connec-
zion that his father studied law under
Chief Justice Pearson, who was the
of Richmond Pearson
Robson. Lieut.. Blue early evinced
an inclination for naval affairs by
building and floating on the old mill
pond of the old homestead boats whit
tied from the pines Of the State, and
when he had reached the proper age
he was sent to the United States Naval
academy at Annapolis, from which
institution he graduated with honor in
the class of 1887.
For the next two years he was with
the European squadron ON the Pensa-
cola, during which time he made
tour of Palestine. He also spent sew
eral months in northern Africa, visit
ing the pyramids and other places of
ntoroct S;ncn then he has been In