The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-09-23
BRoWNSoN's SMILE
STONY Or BnAzlu,s REsELLloN THAT
: eAIEoRAAeN t0vE.TO TElE


Z
Gsinad HI Point without sAoG.
The going abroad of Capt. Brownson
on his mission for the United States
Government recalls IN episode In his
life showing exactly the kind Of q
man he is. It was in January, 1894,
that the civil war In Brazil was COM
ing to climax in the barber at. Rio.
Admiral de- Cana Of the insurgents
was In the harbor with several ships
of-war. The Government held the city.
but while the insurgsnt Admiral held
the water NO shipping could go up to
the front as long as he said It couldn't,
and he said no. Various Governments
were affected by this embargo. "block-
AIDE" the Admiral called il. Great
Britain was concerned chiefly. but the
United Ststss were q good second.
with Germany and other nations as
we'll -
Europe looked to America to do
something In the matter, and was NIT
urally diffident about interfering in
family rows on this side Of the water.
At last Admiral Benham was sent
down to take charge of the United
States feet in Rio harbor. The flag
ship was the San Francisco, and on
Sunday, Jan. 20, Admiral Benham
called on his Captains to come aboard.
Among them was Commander Brown
son Of the Detroit. 1t is said that aft
or the conference this Commander
came back to his ahip smiling. How
ever that may be, he certainly smiled
ne1t morning. Just after o'clock
that evening-it was calm as
could be, almost - the Yankee
naval ships were seen to be In hus-
tie. The canvas awnings faded away,
and in the night certain sounds were
heard aboard them, at which various
listeners put their hands cup-shaped
behind their ears to listen harder. On
the morning Of the cath there was a
change in the appearance Of the Yam
kee fleet. 1t had taken of its coat,
walstcoat and shirt, so to speak, and
was just eying itself when day dawn
ed to see how good its training had
been.
The tnsurgent ships Aquidaban and
Tamandare were up the bay above Vi
ana Island, with their cables short
ready to trip. The Trajano and Guam
abara, as we'll as the feet of armed
tugs, were crowded with men from the
garrisons Of Cobras and Villegaigon.
The Liberdade flew the little blue en-
sign, for Admiral da Cana was aboard
her, lying with theTrajano and GUIANA
bara north Of Enchados Island, a few
yards from the American bark Amy,
one Of the boats kept out by the
blockade. The Parahyba was lying !
with its teeth, so to speak, at the
throat of the Yankee barkentine Good
News
Commander Brownson on the De-
troit got his ship under way, having
hoisted anchor at o'clock, and head
ed toward the city between Enchados
and Cobras Islands. Her crew were at
her guns, and as eager lot Of men as
one could see anywhere at that time.
The anchor got f0uled in the Detroit's
hawse hole, and that was ample excuse
Tor proceeding slowly, which was con-
Venient, while couple of insurgent
Jugs made sputter at the northern
ittoral Of the city, as they had been
ioing long time. After couple of
men had been killed aboard the tugs
hey drew back, and the Detroit, with
clear, rounded Enchados
Island and came along starboard side
o starboard of the Trajano. The men
ooked through their sights and then
Up at Commander Brownson on the
ridge. The story of what they saw is
| tradition in the navy now and always
will be as long as men like Brownson
re in command. The Commander was
milling.
A man on the Trajano raised a mus
ret and fired bullet over the heads of
allors pulling away in boat with a
inc from the Amy to a ship at anchor
hat the Amy might be warped to the
docks. Two heavy insur-
,ent tugs came around with their rams
'ointed at the side of the Detroit On
he San Francisco The red flag of bat
lie had been run up to the fore truck
stops. A quartermaster stood with
lis hand on the halliards eager to
reak 1t out, with his eyes fixed on the
ADMIRAL, who was looking at the De-
rolt FOR the sign which would cause
i'm to give the quartermaster the or
er so ardently desired.
"Trajano, ahoy!" he shouted. III
Oh fire again1 will return the fire, and
you persist will sink you.'
The Trajano's crews we're excited. II
nervous finger had pulled a trigger
he fight would have been on.
But the shot did not sound. The
ailors on the Amy's yawl waited to
ae what they were to do next.
You 60 ahead" Commander
rownson shouted. "and III protect
ou'
The sailors went.
Aim at the Guanabara!" ordered
commander Brownson. And the
reasy black muzzles of the Detroit's
radside and the two pivot guns
wung around looking bigger and big
er every moment, till they stopped,
'velled at the cruiser. One particu-
'rly nervous gun crew aboard the in
Urgent was conspicuous. Commander
rownson waved his hand, with a half
mile, and this crew fell back.
Then the Yankee ships led the way
} the docks, with other ships crowd
IL in with them, and after a while the
,bellion collapsed. But the sailors
no were on the Detroit at that time
ave told the story Of Commander ,
rownson's smile to other sailors, and
lese to still others, till it has rippled :
every water where the starry flag
les, and it is heard with marked in
rest by men on the ships OF other ma
ons-men who have seen smiling men
yht Z