The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1898-04-16
CAPTAIN SAMPSON, U. S. N.

of the United States fleet in our
Southern waters in ihe event of war
with Spain, and WHO would likely
direct the first general engagement
of such conflict, is now prominent
in the person of Captain William L.
Sampson. He is one of the most
conspicuous figures in the national
history of the day, and one to whom
the people look for great acts, if
they are called for, and in whom as
a man and naval officer all are in
terested.
A casual glance at this man, whose
brilliant personality is magni6ed to
vast Importance by his great respons
Utilities, suggests the student of
calm PHILOSOPHERS rather than the
sailor and naval officer.
Captain Sampson is tall and slim,
with shoulders triile rounded. His
hair and beard are gray, his blue eyes
set deep beneath strongly marked
brows, and are gravely expressive of
much thought. He. is affable, but
man of few words. Nothing dis
turbs the evenness Of his manner,
and in an emergency he reaches
quickly helpful conclusion. His
brevity of speech has given some
who have met him an impression of
curtness which better acquaintance
soon dispelled. In his native home,
up in Wayne country, N. Y, Cap
tain Sampson is still known to his
familiars as ''Billy" Sampson, and
there, when leave permits, he spends
jolly days with old companions, for
getful of all formality as before he
had achieved honors Not all the
memories of home are CHEEKY, how
ever, for Captain SIMPSONS early
life was a struggle.
He was born in Palmyra n. Y,
February 8, 1910, and learned Of
poverty and hard work. His father
was laborer, and his education was
kept up by coming such text books
as were in his possession at times
when not assisting in cutting and
piling wood or performing some
similar labor. His attendance at the
county schools was intermittent, but
his ambition to learn was in no way
thwarted by circumstance.
Through Representative 4. b
Morgan young Sampson was in 1851
appointed midshipman in the United
States Naval Academy, Mr.. w, II
Southwick, of Palmyra, having Sc.
bured Mr.. Morgan's influence fol
the energetic boy, whose persever.
ance had won his admiration. After
four years at Annapolis he graduated
first in his class.
His war record shows marvellou:
pluck and some astonishing expert
ences, though at the beginning o
hostilities he was not old enough tc
attain command His conduct
| however, as master on the frigat,
Potomac won him promotion to the
rank of second lieutenant in tho
, summer of 1862. Willie holding
, this commission he served on tn,
practice ship John Adams, on thu
t Patapsco, of the South Atlanti,
t blockading squadron, and on th'
steam frigate Colorado, flagship o
the European squadron.
On January l6, 1865, Lieutenan
Sampson, being executive officer OIL
, the ironclad Patapsco, was ordered
by the Admiral Of the fleet to ente
, Charleston Harbor, before which tin
Union ships were doing blockade
r duty, and remove or destroy all sub
marine mines and torpedoes wit
which the city was protected from
invasion. The task was a mos
; dangerous one, as for many days tn
enemy had given all their time AM
: labor to stocking the water with ex
plosives in order to repel advance.
, The little ironclad had only enter
\ ed the harbor when bullets from tn
rifles of the sharpshooters rained up
Y Oh her. Lieutenant Sampson, stand
? ing on the bridge, in the most ex
: posed position, saw his men fall be
a fore the fire, with which they wer
e we'll in range. The situation was
: test of bravery from WHICH til
2 young officer did not finch, as h
S stood target for many hundre
g marksmen. Ordering his men be
~