Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1898-05-14
Dewey asa Fighter.

Commodore Dewey was born in
Vermont siNty-One years ago. Dewey
was appointed to the Naval Academy
from Vermont when he was II wears
old. When he graduated in 1868 he
went with the steam frigate Wabash
on a cruise with the Mediterranean
squadron, which lasted until 1859.
Ensign Dewey was ut home when
Fort Sumter was fired upon. April
III, 1861. he received his commission
us Il Lieutenant. He was assigned at
once to the steam sloop Mississippi.
which was to take part in the fierce
fighting of the West Gulf squadron.
The Mississippi was a side wheeler of
seventeen guns, and was commanded
by Commander Melancthon Smith.
The West Gulf squadron went ut
once to the Mississippi river to force
its way up. The History of Our
Navy" thus describes the sort of
things the men on the Mississippi ex-
perienced when they preceded Farra
gut mp past New Orleans:
tile Pensacola and the Mississippi
steamed slowly, with their black
hulIs at regular intervals sheeting
The air with lurid fire as they replied
TO the forts. Abreast of ST. Philip,
where the Confederate fire was hot
test. they drew in SO close that the
gunners ailoat and those ashore
heartily cursed each other Us they
worked
The Mississippi was with the
squadron again when 1T ran down
past New Orleans on the way back,
fair targets for nineteen big guns Ut
close range.
The hardest fight that the Missis
sippi ever WAS in was the one that
ended her. The fleet was trying to
run by Port Hudson with its power
ful batteries None Of the squadron
got by. The Mississippi did not even
get down us close to the batteries as
most of the other ships did. Sine ran
aground in the fog and smoke and
stuck hard and fasT. Size was about
opposite the main battery when the
smoke cleared away. Ia thirty min
utes she WAS struck 2j0 times She
WAS shot full of holes, like Il colland-
der. Her crew climbed into boats on
the side opposite the forts, aud, after
ctting her on fire. made for The other
side OF the river under II whitening
rifle fire. She grew lighter rs she
burned, and finally lloated of OPP
posite the last battery her blazing,
popping progress ending in II ire
lneudous explosion, and her mer, sale
on shore, knew that the Mississippi
would never be under fire AGAIN.
That, altogether, was not an UNI
practical bit of experience for Il man
destined to lead q fleet OF his own
into action.
In July, 1863, Dewey was on the
gunboat that engaged the Confeder-
utes below Donaldsonvile. In 1851
he was attached to the North Attain
tie blockadipg squadron, assigned to
steam gunboat Agawam. The Aga
wan was one OF the great crescent of
war ships, big and little, that pumped
shot into Fort Fisher in December,
1861, and january, 1866. Dewey re-
ceived his commission as Lieutenant
Commander on March >, 1SG5, and
served for two years on the European
squadron, first on the steamer Near
sarge and then on the friSate Colo
RADIO, the flagship.
In 1868 lie WAS assigned for duty ut
the Naval Academy. In 1870 he re
ceived his first command, that OF the
Narragansett. which was employed
on special service until 1879. The last
part of the time during which he
commanded the Narragansett, Dewey
was Il commander.
The Pacific survey of 1872 10 WAS
entrusted to him. After two years
rs lighthouse Inspector and five as
secretary Of the lighthouse board he
put in command of the Juniata Oh
the Asiatic squadron i'll 1882. 10
September, 1881, he was promoted 10
be "a captain and placed in command
of the Dolphin, then brand new. and
one of the four vessels TO which the
name white squadron" was first
given.
From 1885 to 1888 he was the com
mander of the Pensacola, the flagship
of the European squadron. In 1883
his energy and ability TO complete
matters of detail was recognized by
making him chief of the Bureau of
Equipment and Recruiting, which
carried with it the rank Of comIno-
dore.
In May, 1893, he took another turn
Oh duty as a member OF the light
house board. He was made an acts
uul Commodore on February 2G, 1896,
and was at about that time put at
the head of the important Board of
Inspection and survey. He was
transferred to the command or the
Asiatic squadron Januay l, 1898.