Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-16
Death Ends the Memorable Career of
Admiral Crosby.
NASNEARLYFIrTY YEARS In TIE NAVY
Many Notable Achievements Placed
to His Credit.
WILL REST AT ARLINGTON

u
last night at his residence, HIS Connecticut
avenue, In this city. He had been i'll sew
eral months, but the immediate cause of
his death was acute diabetes. The funeral
| will be held at St. Johns Church at
O'Clock tomorrow afternoon, and the inter-
ment will be at Arlington.
Admiral Crosby leaves a widow and five
children, three daughters and two sons.
Long Naval Career.
Rear Admiral Crosby was born at Ches-
ter, Pa, January 16, 1924 He was descend
ed from Richard Crosby of Moore county,
Palatine, Chester, England. Richard Cros-
by purchased a large tract of land from
William Penn in what is now Delaware
county, Pa, and settled there in 1852. Rear
Admiral Crosby received his early educa-
ton from private tutors until his appoint
ment as acting midshipman, June D. RS
He was then ordered to the line-of-battle-
ship Ohio, which sailed from New York to
join the Mediterranean squadron, where
she was made flagship to the commanding
officer, the old hero, Commodore Isaac Hull.
Midshipman Crosby acted as aid to the
commodore until his return to this country
in 1S4- He was next attached TO the re-
ceiving vessel Experiment at Philadelphia,
and afterward to the steamer Mississippi,
home station. In 1872 he was ordered TO
the frigate Congress, and sailed her from
Portsmouth, n. H., to the Mediterranean.
After serving in her six months he
transferred TO the sloop Preble, and re-
turned to the United States in the fail of
1913, when he was ordered to the Naval
School at Philadelphia. In May, 1874, he
was promoted to passed midshipman. He
next served OH the United States coast sur
Vey on the coast of Massachusetts and
Rhode Island, and also in the Susquehanna
river and tributaries until the summer of
1916, when he was ordered to the sloop
Decatur.
During the Mexican War.
He served in her six months in the gulf
of Mexico, during the Mexican war, par
ticipating in the attack and capture of Tus-
pan and Tobasco. and was then trans
ferred to the gunboat Petrol, serving as
acting master in Mexican waters until
peace was declared. He was then tenn
porarily in command, and brought the
Peuel to New York, the captain and other
officers being too sick with fever for duty.
In 1S49 he was attached to the storeship
Relief, carrying supplies to the Cape de
Verde Islands. and to the Mediterranean
squadron at Naples In the fall of 1850 he
was made acting master of the United
States navy yard Philadelphia Eighteen
months later he was transferred to the re-
ceiving ship stationed at Philadelphia until
the spring of 1853. when he was attached to
the frigate Savannah, at Norfolk, serving
on her until September g. 1853 when he
was commissioned lieutenant. In the win
ter of 1853 he was ordered to the Z. S. s.
Germantown, sailing In the spring of 1854
from Boston to Brazil serving as lieuten-
ant and executive officer and returning to
the United States in February 1857 He
was attached to the receiving ship at Phil
adelphia until the latter part of 1858 He
was then ordered to the L. s. s. Saratoga
as lieutenant and executive officer sailing
in the fall of 1858 for the gulf of Mexico
With the exception of forty days on board
the Brooklyn, under Admiral (then Captainl
tarragut he served two years on the Sara
toga. returning, he took charge of de-
tachment of men to protect the American
consul at Mexico. On his return home in
1850 he was attached to the receiving shin
at Philadelphia, Captain (now AdmiraD Du-
pont commanding.
Breaking Out of Civil War
When Fort Sumpter was attacked. Lieut..
Crosby was sent with detachment of men
under command of Capt. Steadman, to keep
open communication between Annapolis
and Havre de Grace, carrying troops and
supplies to the army. as the railroads and
bridges were destroyed between PerryvilIe
ana Annapolis, capturing and DESTROYING
oy orders OF the commanding general con-
federate vessels in the bay and cutting off
rebel supplies and communications. In the
summer of 1861 he was ordered TO the
frtgate Cumberland. at Hampton Roads.
but was detached for duty with the army
and to police Chesapeake bay and trIbn-
tar1es. At this time also he transported
across the Hampton river the troops which
subsequently fought at the Ia tile ~ pic
Bethel, Va.
In August of this year he volunteered
upon the expedition against Forts Hatteras
and Clarke. Taking possession of the steam
to the spar deck with chains, navigated her
around Cape Hatteras, and then proceeded
IN company with the squadron to the at
tack on Forts Hatteras and Clarke, in or
der to have light-draft vessel to operate
IN landing troops at that place When the
naval vessels commenced bombarding the
forts, Lieut.. Crosby superintendent the land
ing OF ABOUT so soldiers, under Gen. But
he heaxr
landing very difficult. wrecking eventually
all the boats employed in carrying the men
from transports. when Lieut. Crosby took
the Pawnee's launch and landed two more
boat loads of troops, until the sea became
so heavy that 1t threw the launch upon the
beach, dashing all hands out of her on the |
shore. Owing to the severe storm, the |
squadron and transports stood off seward,
ieaVlng the troops on the shore unprotected
until the following day. when the SQUADRON
returned, opened fire and silenced the forts,
the enemy hoisting the white flag Lieut.
crosby. by Gen. Buffers orders went on
the Fanny to the forts, landed and brought
off Commander Barron and other officers in |
command, who surrendered, with $50 men
to Admiral Stringham and Gen Butler on
board the flagship Minnesota. |
A Clever Ruse.
During the previous night, by the display |
made by the troops landed, the confederates
had been led to believe that their force was
over two thousand strong. In this way the |
enemy was deceived, and our troops were |
saved from attack and probable capture. as
nearly all the ammunition was wet and the |
volunteer troops. being in disorganized /
state, could not, in all probability have sue
cessfully opposed double their number. |
Lieut.. Crosby succeeded in getting a strong |
picket thrown across the point in front of |
the enemys batteries. thus preventing their /
making reconnaissance or ascertaining
the actual force Of the Union troops
Lieut. Crosby's efficient services on this
expedition received special commentator /
IN Gen. Buffers report. At this point Lieut. |
Crosby captured four blockade runners
they not knowing the forts had surrender
ed In the fall and shortly after the cap
ture Of these forts he was ordered to the /
command of the gunboat Pembino. fitting |
out at New York. but was taken danger 1
ously i'll with typhoid fever, brought on by |
constant exposure. privstion and fatigue In
the performance of his duties. In the win
ter of 1881 he took command of the Pinola
fitting out at Baltimore. Running the bat
teries en- the Potomac river at night, he |
brought her to Washington, received her
battery and sailed for the gulf squadron
Joining Admiral Farragut's feet at Ship