The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-08
JIM FORTY.
The Man Who Is in Charge of Uncle
Sans Naval station at Key West

Sans Naval station at Key West.
New York Evening Sun.
1t was early in 1864 that the United States
side-wheel man-of-war Water Witch WIS
ordered by the admiral of the fleet to reduce
a recently erected earthwork at the en-
trance to Jacksonville, Fla. Captain Pen-
dergraSt, who was in command OF the
Water Witch gave the order to clear ship
for action" and as the ship neared the yell
low mud behind which the Confederates lay
he called his officers to the quarter deck to
give them a few final admonitions as be-
fitted the occasion. 1t is said that he par
ticularly warned the young fellows against
the pernicious habit of .'duckng" when q
shell screeched overhead saying that they
might as well attempt to dodge lightning.
calling their attention to the fact that they
could not hope to retain the respect OF their
men If they did So AS he was speaking the
ship came slowly within range OF the guns
of the COnfederates, and suddenly a sound
the like of which most of them had never
heard broke the tenor of his reAarks ana
the main STAY of the smokestack over their
heads was snapped, as a shell passed, some
ten feet above the ships deck. 1t is related
that as the men resumed an upright posi-
ton with more or less shame-faced and
sheepish looks the captain remarked, but
to resume, gentlemen, there are times When
even ducking is excusable.
There were perhaps half dozen answer
ing shots from the Water Witch when 1t
was seen that the Confederates were hastily
evacuating their works. Acting Master
boat and take possession. Forsyth landed
his men, deployed them and advanced eau,
tiously. He found the works deserted. ana
behind the yellow mud discovered several
barrels of bacon and a barrel of molasses,
which his men coveted. They at once
started. to roll these down to the ., shore TOT
time, and as they were about loading their
contraband into the small boat, another
boat hove in sight a man III the stern
hailed Forsyth.
Hello! ashore therei
"Ahoy therer sang out Forty"
What are you doing?" demanded the
None of your DIN business, replied the
sailor man.
II guess you don't know who / am said
the other. II General Brannan, of the
United States army, ana command TINS sec
"Oh are your said Forty" That's
right the navy does the capturing and the
army takes possession; don't want that
COMPOUNDED molasses, anyway.
Then he jumped into his boat and the lads
pulled back to the ship. 1t is said that the
general made complaint of this unseemly
treatment to the admiral, who, in turn, put
the matter before Captain Pendergrast. and
that officer, after having had hts IN the
seclusion of his cabin, called Forsyth pc
fore him. and after a reprimand OF more or
less severity, ordered him to o1er an
apology to the general when next they met.
Forsyth served with honor throughout t IN,
war not meeting the general until some SIX
or eight years ago, when ln command OF the
Sailors Home in Philadelphia he one even
ing was introduced to the general at the
Union League Club in that city. He is said
to have carried out his captains ORDERS ia
this manner .
General Brannan," he said, i was m
structed to humby apologize to you when
next | saw you, and | do so now. can
only repeat that didn't want that molas-
SEES and you are welcome to II.
The general looked at him in amazement
for moment and then grasped his hand.
Are YOU that long-legged young cub VINO
was so Internally uncvil TO me IN floriday
twenty odd years ago? Well, I'm mighty
glad to see and know you.
History fails to relate how long they were
engaged in fighting over again the battles
of the past. .
Commander Forsyth, now. in command OK
the naval station at Key West, comes from
a family of men and women almost giants.
He is feet inches in height; and TINS WAS
exceeded by several of his brothers. For
Years he has been known among his inti-
mates as Forty This nickname came
about as follows Shortly after the war he
was an object of comment In almost any
comuunity and strangers asked about him.
Among the many more or less truthful
biographical facts given was that his father
and mother were most remarkable people;
that they had thirty mine children. all
larger than he, and that the task of giving
these others names had become so great
that they lust shifted the whole thing and
called him Forty