Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-04-13
A DISTINGUISHED OFFICER.
A Former Augusta Boy Will Be In Com.
mand at Cavite.

When the marines left the Charles
town navy yard, last Thursday night
on their way to San Francisco and
thence to Cavite in the Philippines
the battalion was commanded by Col.
Percival G. Pope, and is to leave San
Francisco on the first transport for the
Philippines. The command that left
the Charlestown yard is said TO be com
was ever in the United States marine
service
With Maine men winning distinction
in so many paths Of life and in 50
many parts of our nation, it is with
singular qualification that we are able
to report that Col. Percival c. Pope,
who commands this detachment. lived
as a boy in Augusta; and unless our
information be wrong, was born in
what is known as the Pope cottage,
the house now occupied by Mr.. Lucius
Hill on the East side. He was the son
of Commodore John Pope, who mar
ried Sarah Hartwell. and was consid-
cred a resident Of this city for years
There were four children: Three girls,
Sarah. Eliza and Augusta, whose
names are familiar to many of our old
er readers. The son. Percival C. Pope
who one of his former playmates
thinks. was named Percival Cony,
spent his boyhood and went to school
in Augusta. and lived here until Com
modore John Pope was retired on ac-
count of age with the rank Of commo-
dore. The family at that time was
living in Dorchester, Mass.
Col. Pope Is to command the marine
garrison at Cavite, which station is
considered an important naval base,
ana it is splendid tribute to him that
he has been selected to command this
largest garrison and most i'm
portant outpost Of the United
States. 1t will be in any
event the naval base of the American
navy in the East, as whatever may be
the changes in the Philippines, Cavite
will be held as the naval station and
arsenal for this country. Col. Pope is
considered one of the most efficient and
dashing officers in the service. He was
appointed a second lieutenant from
New Hampshire, on November -,
1861. and our information indicates
that this appointment came while his
father was connected with the navy
and was in command of the kittery
navy yard making his appointment
stand as from Portsmouth. He was
made a first lieutenant on the same
day: he was commissioned captain.
April Is. 1870, and a major in 1891
His service during the Civil War was
on the Atlantic coast. and he partici-
pated in several engagements. being
8. 1863. He has served at all the prin-
cipaI shore stations, and has seen
much sea duty. The last duty was on
the flagship Trenton from 1877 to 1880,
as fleet marine officer at the European
station. 1t will be remembered that
the Trenton was the man-of-war lost
at Apia, Samoa, several years ago.
Afterward he served several years in
the Charlestown navy yard and then in
San Francisco, being ordered back to
the Charlestown navy yard to succeed
in charge of the marines. last year. at
which time he was commissioned a
lieutenant colonel. He is Bow COM
missioned colonel under the new naval
personnel bill, having held his conf
mission but two weeks. He is consid-
cred a splendid officer and one swho
takes a personal interest in his men,
and his battalion will be the pick Of
the American marines. The Journal
extends its congratulations to him, and
is certain that hereafter the citizens of
Augusta will watch his career at Ca
vite with great personal interest; and
we predict that he will meet with un-
qualified success in his new station.