Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-04

others. and attributed 10 the wooden
VANS Of England her weight in the
scale OF nations. The history OF our own
tunes, he said, gives evidence OF the far
reaching and crushing disaster TO the
confederate cause by the lack OF an ade-
quate naval force. Clarke closed the
ports OF North Carolina, Fort Henry
capitulated 10 the navy before the army
was prepared TO attack. Farragut forced
the equalization OF New Orleans. with
out the assistance of the army: McClel-
IAN rehabilitated his shattered forces un-
der the protection OF the navy. The pro-
tecting presence OF .he navy at savan-
nan gave birth 10 Sherman's relentless
march 10 the sea
WORK or THE MERRIMAC.
The brief career of the Merrimac IN
Hampton Roads delayed McClellans adj
vance. and called forth that noted letter
10 Fox. Can | rely on the monitor TO
Keep the Merrimac In check" The rigid
blockade OF the southern ports by the
northern navy cut of our ports from the
markets Of the world. and contributed
10 our overthrow on land. Al the out
break OF the war the North had 26i ships.
2.511 guns. and 22CC0 seamen: at the close
they had GIL ships. 476l guns, and 1000
seamen. At the outbreak Of hostilities
there were 1873 officers In the navy 61
Of which were credited to the South. and
OF this number 32l resigned and cast In
their fortunes with the South. There
were eight navy-yards in the North. and
only two In the South. The South handi-
capped to a terrible extent. struggled
desperately TO equip navy. They had
not warship and no feet Of merchant
men. no seaman, only two navy-yards,
at Norfolk and Pensacola, and the for
mer was lost before the war was one
quarter over. The South was without
skilled mechanics, had only three rolling
mills. hardly any machine-shops, and only
| one foundry, the Tredegar. Worst OF all
they had no raw material. and the cost
of iron was enormous. There was no
powder stored in the South. less than 500
coo percussion caps. and no machines for
making them. The Treasury was empty.
and only $i4.50O.OOO was spent on the Con-
| federate navy from February, 1861. to
! August 1852 There were officers sufi
cient. with large experience and great
/ abilities. but no ships and no seamen.
/ The officers quickly adjusted themselves
to conditions. and did "a noble work.
! some sought service in the army and
rose 10 high rank. others built coast de-
| fences. others developed the torpedo and
| submarine service, others set TO work In
| the ordinance works.
HEROES OF OUR NAVY.
Continuing. Mr. Newton outlined the
/ growth of She Confederate navy. and
/ spoke OF the achievements of Cayanaugh,
/ the daring heroism Of Buchanan. the ma
! tional fame of Ingram, the indomitable
shirt OF Hook. the courage of Brown. Of
! Giaselle. Davidson, Pelow, John Taylor
] afI 4.
| Maury Wilkinson. WaddilL Page
| Clarence. and Archer. Had the Confede-
racy had a navy to protect its ports. SAID
! Mr.. Newton, that rugged host would nave
| fallen on no AppomattoX, or on the de-
basing days Of Reconstruction
Mr.. Newton's address, which was FOL
| lowed with close attention, was loudly
/ applauded, and at it's close Mr.. Elysoh'
on behalf of the ladies of the association
| expressed their most grateful thanks.
! The programme closed with the sing
! ing of the doxology.
THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
! The annual meeting for the election Of
| officers was held at noon in the lecture
I room of the Second Presbyterian churcn.
There was a large attendance OF mem
! hers and the chair was occupied by MIS-
! w. W. Henry. Reports OF the secretary
| and of the standing committees were SUD
mittcd and adopted. The following Of
fcers were elected for the ensuing year;
| president Mrs. Joseph Bryan First
| Vice-President. Mrs. W. w. Henry; Sc
cond Vice-President, Mrs. j. Is. Pace;
| Third Vice President, Mrs. NJ. l.. Branch;
Fourth Vice-President. this Office Tor
1 rncrlv filed by Miss Crenshaw. was not
! eued. Fifth Nice-President, Mrs. J. Tay-
| Ior ISllyson; Sixth Nice-President Miss
! Baughman; Seventh Vice-Presdent. Mrs.
! Hoge Tyler; Recording Secretary. Miss
NJ. G.. Crenshaw; Corresponding Secre-
/ ta1v. Mrs. +. c. Minor; Treasurer. Mrs
Maxwell r. Clarke.
An invitation from the lakewood Ne
| mortal Association 10 the exercises which
| will take place under its auspices on the
10th instant was accepted, and 1t was
decided TO send floral design on that
] occasion.