The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-06-29
IS A MODEST COMMANDER
AN INCIDENT OF ADMIRAL PHILIPS
UNHERALDED VISIT TO CHICAGO.
Some of the Things That Have Made
the Texas Captain Great and Be-
loved by All Men In the Navy.
From the Chicago Tribune.

last Wednesday afternoon. He wore
short, blue sack coat, shepherds plaid trou-
sers. and derby hat He carried an UNI
umbrella in his right hand and walked with
an even though somewhat strolling stride
Now and then he instinctively raised the
umbrella as though he were bringing
sword to present His face was brown and
weather-beaten and his brown mustaches
were trained upward at either end like
those of the war lord of Germany.
1t was the lunch hour in the down town
district and the thousands of people hurry
ing back and forth on the streets were too
busy to pay any attention to strangers.
Besides. there was nothing about this mans
appearance TO compel attention.
At the alley opening into Madison street
he hesitated, cast a weather eye four ways
at once, looked at his watch if it had
been compass, and then took seat on
the elevated chair of a bootblack. Sitting,
he looked much taller than when walking.
AS he climbed down from the chair with
the agility of man who is at home in the
rigging of ship stranger stepped up and
asked:
us this Rear Admiral Philip"
He halted. Unconsciously the umbrella
went up to present" The eyebrows came
down over the deep-set eyes, the upper lip
oHut uOWH HdTu, anu deep Wrinkles came
on either side Of the mouth. 1t was the
judicial mask of man who is used to
authority and who is accustomed to hear
and decide all kinds of petitions.
Eyes. What can do for your"
But Rear Admiral Philip declined to dis
cuss his early life, and the details of
his career. He is true to the old tradition
of the navy which bid an officer to be
modest gentleman, with itch for
nOtoriety and positive dislike for personal
glorifcation.
Just then four sailors came in sight, walk
ing east on Madison street. They rolled
as they walked like waterlogged barks, and
on their blue sailor caps glittered the words
~. S. S. Boston" AS Rear Admiral Philip
saw them the smile which lighted his face
was good to see. 1t almost like the
smile of a father. who sees for the first time
long-lost son. That smile explained why
Jack Philip is popular with the enlisted
men of the United States navy
'"Those boys must be lost" he said as
he turned and watched them out of sight.
The sailors went by without recognizing
their friend. though it was plain he was
longing to shake hands with them and give
them the congratulations and credit which
he has never attempted to steal from any
body.
Before big window near big crowd Of
people was gathered. They were looking
at something in the window.
What is this?" asked Rear Admiral
Philip
Just then the crowd separated and he
saw the sign, "Armor plate from the bat
tleshp Texas pierced by Spanish she'll"
He stood and looked at it for moment
while the crowd grew thicker. all uncon-
hot no w O Of no bri dpp
If the Texas that July day and directed
the shots which helped to send Cervera's
fleet to the bottom was in their midst. If
they had recognized him the result would
have been embarrassing for the modest
commander.
No stronger proof of the refreshing mod
esty of Rear Admiral Philip could be had
than the fact that in all the great collec-
ton of books and magazines at the public
library there is nothing but official record
of his work in the navy. No personal remi-
niscences, no story of his early life has
been given to the public. and he is really
provoked because a New York magazine,
realizing that the public is interested in
all the naval heroes of the war and in
Rear Admiral Philip particularly, is about
to print an article made up chiefly of what
it has been able to CLEAN from other naval
officers.
John w. Philip was born in New York in
1S40-an opportune time for a man whose
instincts lay in the direction Of service on
the high seas. When he entered the naval
academy at the age of 16 the storm which
broke in 1861 was gathering strength. War
was in the air and the naval cadets of those
days were inspired by the thought that hot
work was before them. Philip was made
midshpman in January, 1861, just in
time for assignments with the frigates Con-
stitution and Santee, before Sumter was
fired on, and the demand for trained SAIL
ors became greater than the government
could supply. On June l. six weeks after
the first shot of the war had been fired,
Philip now q years old, was made acting
master, and ordered to the sloop of war
Marion of the gulf blockading squadron.
After serving in the gulf for a year he
was attached to the Somona of the James
river fleet. Promotion came readily in
those days. and in July, 1862, he was COM
mssioned. During the long siege of
Charleston, beginning shortly after the
sinking of the famous 'Stone Fleet" Lieut.
Philip served with the blockading squadron
He was first appointed executive of the
Chippewa, then transferred to the Pawnee
and finally to the monitor Montauk This
service lasted from September, 1862, to Jan
udTy, Iooo MuCu VI the tlUue was spent IN
the dreary and monotonous duty of inter-
fering with commerce, though the young
officer took part in several attacks on the
forts and was wounded in the leg while
scouting with the Pawnee in the Stone river
When the war practically over the and
the downfall of the Confederacy was in sight
Lieut.. Philip was sent to the Asiatc station
where he acted as executive of the Wachu-
sett from January, 1865, to September, 1867.
While serving in the Orient he was COM
missioned lieutenant commander and
transferred as executive officer to the Hart
ford, the flagship Of the squadron, where he
served fer a year. Already Lieutenant
Commander Philip had begun to win the
reputation for fair and friendly dealing with
his men which has only grown stronger with
the passing years. Throughout the navy he
is known as an officer who gives his men
every possible liberty. But he is as stern
as justice when Jack takes advantage of
his kindness. AS a consequence his crews
are always made up of picked men. Lazy
men and slattcrns cannot live on board
ship he commands, where good behavior
means good treatment. but no breaches of
discipline are tolerated.
The next three years, from 1868 to 1871.
no cnent in E,rODean waters sorviDu &c ~