Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-05
HEROIC, ROMANTIC
Lieut. Mudge'S War Career one Full of
Adventure.

Much has been said about eX-confeder-
ates returning to the army and their
illnstrious work for the old flag is gen
orally known.
Lieut. Thos. l.. Madge has the dstinc-
ton of being the only officer who left the
L. S. navy to join the confederate SER
navy during this war. He has just been
honorably discharged from the United
States service.
His career has been a most adventurous
and interesting. almost romantic one.
1t was generally known at Chariestown
and in the service. but Mr.. Madge abso-
mention of his record while he was in the
service, as he felt that it would be de-
cidedly out of place and look as though
he was trying to influence the department
important and active duty by reason OF
his experience in Cuban affairs and wa
tiers.
Briefly. Mr.. Madge was educated for
the ministry, has been an officer in the
oiu navy. confederate naval captain OF
note a last: too to haul down the
| tain and Cuban naval officer serving
throughout the 1o-years' war He is a
neaVy real estate owner in Cuba, an ac-
| tive New York Tammany man. and one
OF the large American banana importers
~ interest. too, is the fact that he end
| ed and resumed his connection with the
navy at Charlestown and served here all
! through the war.
Lieut.. Aladge was born in Chickasaw,
-'.i''.' ~ wealthy PARENTS, ana OF Old
| plantatig, stock. AS was customary in
the South in those days. ne was sent to
i i.uTope when quite Young to be educated
| france, and finally at Brighton college
England. from which he graduated He
,hen came back to this country with a
should study for the ministry. AS Lieut.
Madge expressed it himself one day some
couple or months ago, AZ; he was seated
| historic odd IronSides'' at CharlestOwn.
- didn't dislike the idea Of studying for
o" op.d 5e,ns ,;i.,, minister, but developed a
| cier"vman instructor. He was vege-
| ,,arlan, lived on roasted peanuts. and such
like; thouehl | should, too, and was un-
usually severe, and unbearable in many
WAYS Appeals to my parents did no
| SooH; so when the matter became intol-
cradle, as 1 thought why i simply
landed in New York. got knocking around
the old ward. and finally went into the
navy"
| Lieut.. Madges relatives then, seeing he
was determined to carry out a wish to be
sailor, had sufficient influence to get
him a commission in the navy
At the outbreak of the rebellion he was
masters mate on the old frigates Con-
gress; G9m: Sands flagship. Capt. Crown
town navy yard.
Although. he states himself, he was a
| union man. his family We're slave own
home friendships and associations caused
| him to cast his lot with the South. Con.
seq9ently he resigned, and volunteered
1 70 hght for their cause. ne was immc-
Giatcly commissioned in the regular con
Iederate navy, and next was assigned 70
DUTY IN blockade running with stores for
me army and navy. In this work he wa
exceptionally successful. His last com.
, ,naha was the confederate ship Florida,
not the privateer of that name. but the
regular aa service ship, and on this vessel
ne mad the honor to be the last c0nfedar-
ate commander to haul down the stars
an ann pars, not however, before he had
given the 7. S. navy considerable irouhi.
| to the Spanish. Gu
II was Capt. Madge with the Florida
NJ, Mno was detailed to take jeff Davis ana
ms family to Cuba. it being felt that they
Wouia escape and manage to reach the
difficulty. "Nhout
LAP Gagt. Madse and his craft narrowly es
caped capture at this time They were
discovered by the American fleet and an
sHXpeoition sent in to destroy or captura
mem. Maneuvering for nearly fhrec
weeks in the narrow passages and hav.
Gus, ana finali,- cornered with the aiI ~ |
Il land force. he thought the end ha,.
come when, fortunately for him. a