Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-09-24
A FORGOTTEN NAVAL HERO.
From the Wilmington Messenger.

From the Wilmington Messenger.
How many southern men under 40
ever heard of Commodore Tatnall, of
the United States navy, before the
great war and of the Confederate navy
later? He was southern born hero.
Lately the London Spectator gave
very interesting account of Commo-
dore Tatnall's bravery in April, 1859.
In that year Rear Admiral James
Hope was placed in command of the
China station. The treaty of Pekin,
secured as result of war, was to be
ratified on the 26th of June. Admiral
Hope was detained so that he did not
arrive at the mouth of the Peiho river
until the 10th. On the goth the
French and English ministers arrived.
1t became necessary for the admiral to
advance. Upon accommodating he
found the entrance blocked by three
barriers and new forts erected. He
determined to force an entrance. On
the 23d he began his work. He had
only II small gunboats, all mounting
but 80 guns. The fighting was heavy.
The British fought, of course, with
great gallantry. The Spectator says
that "never was a British admiral in
greater need of support. The Chi
nese sought to annihilate the flag
ship, and they fired with great
accuracy. In 20 minutes the two
leading vessels had so many men
killed and the mounted guns were all
silenced. Then it was that Commo-
dore Tatnall, in command of the Amer
lean feet, rendered assistance that
gave him great fame. He was watch
ing the fight from small steamer call
ed the Toey-Wan. The Spectator
says that seeing the desperate condi-
tion of the British admiral, Tatnall
could stand it no longer, so saying
"that blood was thicker than water,
and he was damned if he was going to
see white men butchered before his
eyes," he ordered his barge, and an
nounced his intention of paying an
official visit to the British admiral.
He rowed through storm of shot and
shell, one round shot going through
the American ensign in the stern of
the boat, cutting it to ribbons, and
was wildly cheered by our people as
he passed the feet. Just rs he reach
ed the flag ship his barge was again
struck and sank alongside. The
Americans, however, managed to
scramble on board, only to find Admi-
raj Hope, desperately wounded, seated
in an armchair on deck still directing
the fight. Tatnall, after exchanging d
few words with Hope, sent his boats
crew forward to man the big inch
gun, where the whole crew of which
had been either killed or disabled.
His men responded with alacrity, and
for the next hour and half this gun
was worked entirely by American
seamen, until relieved by a fresh crew
from another gunboat."
Nor was this all of the brave, self
sacrificing Tatnall's services on that
day. He went after the British re-
serves, who, being on junks, could rot
move. He took them in tow himself
and carried them bodily up the river,
they numbering 600. Another assist
ance gallantly rendered was to take off
the landing party that had been driven
back. The enemy had destroyed a
part of the boats. To quote the Spec
tator again: "Realizing this, Tatnall
got his light draught Toey-Wan close
into the shore, and in this way took
the fugitives aboard, thus saving many
life that would otherwise have been
sacrificed"
Bless your souls, brethren, there
have been heroes and heroes all along
the river of time, and the south has
had it's full share of them. The old
commodore is dead now, but the name
of Tatnall should be forever cherish
ed by all Southrons, who love their
home and admire great and noble gal
lantry.