Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-11-09
Our Adniral's Career.

laS tne story VI AUWA" Do"oy UA"
liant career.
Congress introduced the rank OF
admiral in 1864 for David Glasgow
Farragut, whose father was Span
lard. David Dixon Porter was the
second, George Dewey is our third
admiral. George Dewey was born ir
Montpelier, Vermont, the day afte,
Christmas in 1887, the year Ericsson.
of ''Monitor" fame, first applied the
screw -propellors to steamships; and
yet the great improvement came sc
slowly into use that the first vessel or
which Dewey, at the age of twenty
five, served as lieutenant was side
wheeler.
The Deweys are of English descent,
and Georges father was country
doctor, who, in 1925, married Mary
Perrin. There were four children
three boys, George being the thiro,
and daughter, the youngest. The
stories told of Georges boyhood show
him to have been plucky and manly
little youngster, whom his father called
his little hero" He was wiry, &C.
tive, fond of Robinson Crusoe," and
never afraid of fight for good cause.
He went barefoot, gave theatrical
shows in the barn, and was altogether
the sort Of boy that boys like such
nice little chap as may be found in
nearly every schoolhouse in the land.
At fifteen he went to the Norwich
Military academy, and while there de-
cided to enter Annapolis, winning his
fathers consent with difficulty. En-.
tering the Naval academy at seven
teen, Dewey graduated in 1858, stand
ing fifth in class of fourteen. He
was popular, and an especially good
swimmer and athlete. For two years
he cruised as a midshipman in the
Mediterranean, and upon his return
passed his examination with credit,
and was commissioned lieutenant.
When the civil war began, Dewey
was appointed first lieutenant on the
United States steamer Mississippi,
side Wheeler one of the oldest yes.
sells in the navy-commanded by Cap.
tain Melancthon Smith. This vesse;
was part of Farragut's Gulf squadron,
and was hotly engaged in opening the
Mississippi river and taking New Or.
leans in 1862. Dewey stood on the
bridge during the fight with Forts
Jackson and st. Philip-when the
Union and Confederate gunners were
so near that they could exchang
words and the young officer was con.
spicuous for his cool bravery and eff.
cient service. On the way up the
river, Dewey's vessel drove ashore
and destroyed the Confederate ram
Manassas.
Farragut afterward said to Dewey's
father:
'Sir, your son George is a worthy
and brave officer. He has an honor
able record, and some day will NAL
his own mark"
But Farragut would have been
amazed if he could have known that,
of all the officers of the navy, this
young officer would be second to sue
ceed him as admiral of the navy, and
would win his promotion in battle with
the Spaniards, the countrymen of Far
ragut's father.
The next year brought disaster to
the Mississippi. She grounded dur.
ing the battle at Port Hudson, and
was burned. Dewey was active in
taking off the crew and afterward
escaped with the loss, it is said, of his
coat tails!
The young lieutenant continued in
active service, and il the fights with
Fort Fisher, in 1864 and 1865, showed
his cleverness by going 80 close to
the shore in the Colorado that the
enemy's shot went over the vessel.
In March, 1865, Dewey was ap.
pointed lieutenant commander.
After the civil war, Dewey was in
service on the Kearsarge and the Colo.
RADIO and in 1867 he married Miss
Susan Goodwin, daughter Of COVER.
nor of New Hampshire. To pass
rapidly over the peaceful years that
follow, it will suffice to say that Dewey
was at the Naval academy till 1870,
when he took command of the Nara.
gansett; in 1875 he was appointed
commander, and served on the light.
house board; in 1882 he was in the
Asiatic squadron commanding the
Juanita = thus acquiring his first
knowledge Of Eastern waters-and two
years later became captain of the Dol
phin, and afterward of the Pensacola
in the European squadron.
His subsequent service included
work on the lighthouse board and the
bureau of equipment; and as commo-
dore he was head of the board of in
spection and survey. 1t is not strange
that the admiral is man thoroughly
equipped, after so long service in
peace and war.
In November, 1897, his health not
being good, Dewey asked to be as
signed to sea service, and was sent to
command our squadron in the East,
and was at Hongkong when the war
with Spain began. The story of his
brilliant achievement at Manila is too
recent to need present rehearsal. On
March 3, 1899, he was made admiral
of the navy.
And the o1mirol 10 II, % sam q ,oodaet