The evening times., 1898-05-09
THE HERO OF MANILA
Characteristics of Dewey, the MAN
and the Ffghter.
New York Nav IA. specfal to the

New York Herald from fits Washington
correspondent says
Ashore. ahoat, on deck, below,
Or where our bulldogs roar,
To hack friend or breast q foe,
We pledge the commodore!
Today the whole world pledges the
commodore" and this verse from toast
| in his honor given at a farewell banquet
here the night before he started for the
| Asiatic station has the ring OF prophecy.
Commodore George Dewey, U. s. N, is
the hero Of the hour. THE man without
liver" as he is known to the whole ma
Wy. is at once the pride and envy of his
brother officers, who would joyfully give
half their lives to have had his chance.
Satisfaction in the brilliant victory in
far away Manila goes past national in
terest. and glories in the personality of
,, the director of the triumph. During nine
years he has made his home at the cap
I; ital, holding prominent official positions
and figuring in exclusive society.
This quick thinker, this sharp fighter,
carried out the demands of his nature and
training for trimness and accuracy to the
verge of the Beau Brummelistic in dress.
II n drumhead court-martial were penalty
for being caught in afternoon costume
after six p. m. he could not be more pune
tual in doning evening rig. 1t has been
said of him tina; the creases of his trous-
ers are ever as well defined as his views
on naval warfare-just a bit of a dandy.
this well-seasoned beau, who has taught
the enemy to quit walking Spanish and
march to Yankee Doodle" A dandy"
yes. and a Jim Dandy" young America
slangily dubs him.
A serious looking man, not up to the
hafU l.,,tlt xx,i.k
strongly set shoulders; man of deter
mined expression, with keen dark eyes,
gray hair and mustache. His manner
ever civil and considerate to strangers;
to friends. genial. earnest; a jolly good
companion. Among his in;imates are Ad-
miral Walker, L. S. n. retired; former
Secretary of State Sherman and Senator
Proctor. former Secretary of War, while
no man is SO thoroughly admired by the
younger men of the Army and Navy Club
and Metropolitan Club, of both Of which
he Is member.
commodore Dewey's friendship with
Admiral Walker extends over the period
OF years beginning with their careers a,
midshipmen. He boasted a fine voice"
IN those days. II the prejudiced testi-
mony of Admiral Walker can be taken
and sang in the choir
Vermont is the native State of Com
modore Dewey. who is the son of a we'll
to-uo country doctor. He entered the
Naval Academy in September, 1854. and
graduating four years later. was attached
TO the frigate Wabash, of the Mediter-
ranean squadron. He remained one year.
being then transferred to the Mississippi,
OF the West Gulf squadron. From 1861 to
1853 he served there, his experience coy-
ering the capture of New Orleans
This memorably severe engagement of
thirty-iive years ago doubtless required
to him in the recent conflict. Vivid recol-
iections Of the moment when. obedient
TO the order of Admiral Farragut. Capt.
Melancthon Smith turned the Mississippi
to run down the attacking Confederate
ram Manassas. that came up full speed
toward the Union fleet, just after the bat
tie of New Orleans. probably flashed
through his brain. Lieut.. Dewey was in
the thick of the scrimmage when. within
a few yards OF the Confederate guns the
Manassas turned and ran ashore. and the
Mississippi let go a couple of broadsides
that sent the ram to the bottom.
While attempting to run the batteries
of Port Hudson on March 21. 1863. the
Mississippi grounded and heeled TO port.
The enemy. getting the range, fired
shells continuously into her hull. until
Captain Smith, seeing his desperate ef-
forts Were unavailing. ordered her fired,
and with the crew escaped in boats. Lieu
tenant Dewey was at once assigned to the
steamboat Agawam. of the North Allan
tic blockading fleet, and in the following
December and January made two attacks
on Fort Fisher.
The old KearsarGe which was after
ward wrecked on Roncador Reef. was a
appointment of the then Lieu
tenant Commander Dewey. When the
war closed he went aboard the Colorado,
flagship of the European squadron. where
he remained two years. Shore duty at
the Naval Academy for two years pre-
ceded command of the Narragansett.
then in special service, in 1870 and 1871,
with torpedo station duty 4 year later.
He was made commander on April l3.
1888 and until 1873 served in Pacific sur
vey on the Narragansett, as lighthouse /
Inspector for two years, and secretary OF |
he lighthouse board
While commanding the Juniata. under |
orders 10 join the Asiatic squadron, Com
modore Dewey was stricken with illness |
that compelled him to stop at Malta. II |
was while here that. through very DELI
cate surgical operation, by which part |
Of his liver was removed, he braveiy
earned the nickname his comrades ia
vor him with.
WAS there ever a more courageous,
able seaman" said one of them today.
There's one thing sure about what liver
Dewey has-it is not white"
His appreciation of the kindness shown
him while at Malta is fervent and fire.
Iuently expressed. Hints are dropped
If a pretty girl of Malta who earned his
everlasting gratitude by watching over
aim and carrying out so faithfully the
physicians directions that his life was
'aved. 1t is jokingly said Commodore
Dewey can't see a Maltese cat or be-
lold a Maltese cross-or both-without
,,;,x xaF,
Promotion to captain. commanding the
Dolphin. succeeded command of the Ju-
liata in 1884. and in 1855 he was trans
erred to the Pensacola and to the Eu-
opean station. He came to Washington
n 1889 as Chief of the Bureau of Equip
nent and Recruiting. served four years.
md with the rank of commodore was ap-
'ointed on the lighthouse board. and on
admiral Selfridge being ordered to COM
nand the Mediterranean squadron made
resident of the board of inspection and
eview.
Having entirely recovered his health
which had been delicate, he was given
ull rank of commodore last fall and.
or the first time. has as a naval officer |
is own flag.
When. on November q. 1897. Col. Archi-
aid Hopkins rhymed the now famous
past, this verse voiced the faith of every
ian who knows Dewey:
Ashore afloat. on deck, below,
Or where our bulldogs roar.
To back friend or breast a foe,
We pledge the commodore!
Commodore Dewey's wife was a daugh-
r of Governor, Goodwin. of New Hamp-
lire. and died twenty years ago. He has
ne son, George Goodwin Dewey, a grad
ate of Princeton. now engaged in busi- ,
ess in New York.