The Washington times., 1901-10-09
HIS ACTIVE CAREER ENDED
Rear Admiral Winfield S. Schiey
to Be Retired Today.
Orders Terminating His Long and
Honorable service Issued Monday
His Life, Full of Stirring Events.
Part of American History.


Honorable service Issued Monday
His Life, Full of Stirring Events,
Part of American History.
IN accordance with orders issued at the
Navy Department on Monday. Rear Ad-
miral Winfield Scott Schley, :. S. N, will
be placed upon The retired list today, hav
ing reached the age limit of sixty-two
years. Thus closes one of the most bril-
liant active careers in the naval history of
the United States. Rear Admiral Schiey re-
tires rich in honors and with the laurels
he has won, in spite of all efforts Of an
intriguing clique to deprive him of them
Winfield Scott Schley was born in Fred
erick County Nd, on October 9. 1879
Thai section of the State was settled to
a considerable extent by Germans. many
Of whom came from Pennsylvania and
ms ancestors were among the most prom
inent Of those who early located in West
ern Maryland. He was appointed to the
United States Naval Academy at Annap-
o,si in 1856 when he was seventeen years
of age, and as an acting midshipman he
completed the four years course credit
ably. At the Academy he was known as
popular, eood-natured fellow, not over
fond Of his books but with daring and
him for the life he had chosen,
Immediately after he graduated from
the Academy, in June, 1860. Midshipman
Schley was attached to the frst-class
frigate Niagara, which had been. assigned
to convey the first japanese Ambassador
to this country to his home The COM
missioner had come on mission from
the Emperor of Japan TO the United
States. and the Government as a COM
pilment, ordered the Niagara to bear him
back TO his native land. The trip was
made by way Of the Cape of Good Hope
and the ship did not return until Apri; |
of the following year The civil war had
just broken out, and SchIey was con-
fronted with the problem as TO whether !
he should cast his lot with the Union or |
the Confederacy
A majority of the officers of the navy |
at that time were Southern men, and as |
Schley came from a border State the
situation was very delicate on TO him
At that time the Government had issued /
an order eXactins all officers of the navy |
to take the oath OF allegiance to the
Cnlon' and Schley studied upon the mat
ter for some little time, but after thinking
it all over in his boyish mind. decided to |
hight for the old flag
Shortly afterward the Niagara was or
dered 10 Southern waters and within
few days was cruising off Charleston. be-
the long blockade oil that mort
Soon after her arrival she captured a
large steamer. the General Parkhili one |
Of the first prizes OF the war In spite Of |
the fact that there were many officers
1f superior rank on the frigate CAPTAIN
as a graceful compliment to
Young Schley, selected him as the prize
master. gave him a prize crew of ten
men, ana ordered him to take the steamer
% Philadelphia. 1t was the young mid
'hipman's first grave responsibility. as
Well as his first command, but he was
'qual to the emergency. He delivered his
;harge safely to Admiral Dupont in Del
aware Bay.
Owing 10 the vacancies left in the navy
'y the Southerners who had resigned.
'chley was quickly advanced and was
made navigating officer of the frigate Po-
omac. cruising in the Gulf waters. In
his capacity the young naval officer Gov
red himself with glory when his shin
an into what was practically an ambus-
ade through chasing schooner sent cut
S decoy near Mobile Bar. He was COM
nended for gallantry in the official re-
'ort on account of his having rescued one
II the cutters Of the Potomac in the face
II a CALLING fire from the Confederate
cast guard hidden behind the sandhiIls
In June, 1862, when the personnel of the
lavy was reorganized, Schley was pro-
noted to lieutenant and soon afterward
as executive officer of the gun ,
'oat Winona, on the Mississippi River !
rom that time until the fail Of Port Hud-
on he saw incessant fighting. He was :
raG nj ag Z
hip was exposed to the Confederate bat =
cries along the river and at one time 4,
anne very near being sunk by the heavy ]
re from the shore. After the disaster
t Port Hudson, in which the Winona n
fas lost, Schley was transferred to the .
lonongahela and then to the Richmond, ,
9th ships being almost continually en- =
aged. While on the latter vessel he took
shore two of the nine-inch guns and
lounted them in battery on the left of
be siege line at Port Hudson. where. un- .
er his command, they did excellent ser
ice.
When the campaign was successfully :
nded SchIey. in July, 1863, obtained his
rst leave and took advantage Of the op-
by getting married. He was L
ext made executive officer of the Wa
sree and sailed in her for the South Pa c
ic. serious revolt had broken out .
mong the coolies OF the middle Chincha I
stands and the Wateree was sent to sup n
ress it. A force was landed under Il
chley and engaged in a hand-to-hand a
ght with the natives. He succeeded in I
storing order and the island was turned &
yer to a Peruvian force. Shortly after "
lis time Schley was again placed at the n
cad OF q landing force sent TO protect h
merican interests at La Union. San Sal o
ador. L
Upon returning he was made assistant n
the commandant at the Naval Acad- o
ny and promoted to the rank OF lieuten. q
Mt commander. Among the members of
IL lnnt tirrnn I..II r