The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-04-25
ADMIRAL SAMPSON.
An Estimote of His Fighting Quail
tiles by One Who Knew Him

Trom tho New York sun
Key West April Elm any reckoning
Of the operation and service Of the block
aiding feet the character Of its COM
mander is a vital element Admiral
Sampson is peculiarly self-contained
and self-reliant man. His intimate
friends in the Navy see in him marked
lines Of resemblance to General Thomas.
the hero Of Chickamauga. He is eau
tious, but not slow to move; wary. but
not nervously apprehensive. There is no
affectation in his apparent coolness
In "A personal association for years your
correspondent never saw Simpsons bal
ance Of mind even slightly disturbed
Yet his nature is -phlegmatic. He
feels his presen; weight of responsibility
keenly. But ne holds his feelings at all
times firmly under a bride. There is no
tremor in the even. low tones OF his voice
He would be deeply incensed by any
gross neglect Of duty, but there would be
10 outbreak Of temper. He is disposed
at all times to measure his words lie re-
fleets before he speaks. He is naturally
serious, hut he enjoys humor in others
Cheap wit and any strain Of affectatio
disgust him. He detests profanity and
vulgarity. There is a distinct tinge OF
sarcasm in his comment on folly
Twenty years ago he was at the head
OF the department Of chemistry and
physics at the United States Naval
Academy. He is trained to exact ANALYSIS
and synthesis. His calculations are
mathematical in development. No man
in the Navy is better qualified TO estimate
to hair any preponderance of force on
the Spanish side or his own. To keen
ness and accuracy in the recognition Of
advantage he joins. it is thought. all
necessary promptness and skill in turn
ing any advantage TO the best account.
That conclusion, of course. Cmains 10
be proven under the exacting tests now
before him.
II is a matter of fact, however. and one
of great moment, that he commands the
confidence of the men who are serving I'M
der him. The officers who have come into
closest contact with him have the high
est measure of faith in him. Captain
Sampson will never forget" said one of
them. that he is campaigning with ev
cry ship of his fleet. He will make every
one move like master in chess play. He
will not lose his head in action, and I'M
dertake to fight the whole battle with his
own flagship. l have every confidence in
SchleN lnVlnclble PLUCK, but had rather
trust Sampson to score every possible
point with every available ship"
Rear Admiral Sampson is al straight as
a pine, but not as stiff His figure is
rather slender, but well knit His height
at a guess. may be placed at feet 10
inches. His bearing is uniformly modest.
quiet and diSniied. His recent elevation
in the service has not turned his head a
bit. He has no frills of cOnceit or pom
posity. He looks like a particularly we'll
groomed college professor, but he bears
the stamp of one accustomed to respon-
sibility and command. He does not carry
his years lightly and does not look fit 10
bear exposure and rough service but his
health is said to be excellent and his en-
durance is greater than anyone would sup
pose from his appearance. His ordinary
walk is rather slow and methodical but
he can play lively game at lawn tennis
when he chooses. and his strokes are
quick and accurate. He looks full in the
eye of anyone who is talking with him
with an unusual fixity of glance and at
tention.
His head is well shaped but not large
His forehead is finely nodded, full at the
temples and broad. but not projecting
His nose is straight, clean cut and firm
His beard is fun, grayish white and fash
ionably trimmed, for of late years his uni
form neatness has become noticeably
spruce. Both in uniform and in citizens
dress he is finely fitted by his tailor.
This is the man who has been trusted
with the supreme command of our At
lantic coast fleet in this crisis.