The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-10-24
DEATH OF REAR-ADMIRAL BUNCE.
He Passes Away Unexpectedly at the Ag

He Passes Away Unexpectedly at the Age
of IL.
Rear Admiral Francis NJ. Bunce, re-
tired, died Oct. Is at his home in Hart
| ford, Conn.
Last May cancer of the tongue devel-
oped, and an operation in Boston resulted
| in the removal of the Admiral's tongue.
In September the disease attacked the
throat, and the patient grew weaker from
that time, fighting a hopeless battle with
the courage which has always character
lied him. Two weeks ago he took to his
| bed, and had been practically confined
| there ever since.
Hartford, Sept. 25 1886. He was the
son of James NJ. Bunce, who was an ac-
tive and influential business man in his
| day.
He entered the Naval Academy May
%, 1852, graduating in 1857. On leaving
the Academy he was assigned to the sloop
Germantown, Of the East India squadron,
on which he served two years, and was
then transferred to the sloop Macedonia.
In April, 1861, he was commissioned
Lieutenant and assigned to the Penob-
scot, on the North Atlantic blockading
station, and in the early period of the
war participated in skirmishes at York
town and Gloucester, and in 1862 in en-
gagements at Fort Fisher and with other
IcDSl DdALtllG5 ~ the LlOulu VI luG Sdpc
Fear River.
After these events he was transferred
to the Pawnee, and subsequently to the
Catskill. On Jan. 16, 1853, Lieut. Bunce
was commissioned Lieutenant-C Commander
and intrusted with the command of the
Dictator, and subsequently of the iron
clad Monadnock. In the assault and cap
ture of Morris Island, in July, 1863, he
had command of one of the boats employed
in landing troops on Folly Island, which
was so successfully accomplished that the
army was in great measure indebted to
him.
During the Winter of 1863 he sounded
out, buoyed and removed Instructions
from interior channels from Stone River,
Aid to Gen. Gilmore, had charge of the
embarkment and transportation of Gen.
George g. Strong's Brigade of five regi-
ments through these channels to Morris
Island, and commanded the naval part of
this attack, July 10, 1868, which resulted
in the capture of Morris Island and Fort
Wagner. For his conduct in this affair he
was honorably mentioned in the report of
Commander G.. B. Balch, and in q letter
of Admiral Dahlgren to the Navy De
partment.
Detached from the Pawnee, he Joined
the monitor Patapsco and took part in
all the actions in which she was engaged
uuTIHB the siege Oh CQarleStOn, also IN the
night boat attack on Fort Sumter He
received honorable mention in the report
of Commander Il. II. Stevens for his work
in this assault. He was wounded by the
premature explosion of a cartridge while
in action in November. 1868.
His last sea command was on the At
lanta.
Since the war he had been assigned to
duty at the Boston, Washington, and
Brooklyn Navy Yards and on torpedo in
specticn. He was President Of the Naval
College at Newport for two years, sue
ceeding Capt. Mahan. In February, 1893,
he was made Rear-Admiral, and in De-
cember of the same year was placed on
the retired list.
In appearance Admiral Bunce was the
typical commanding officer, being over six
feet in hight, and splendidly proportioned.
AS young man, it is said, he was one
Of the strongest men in the navy. His
temperament was genial, and while he be-
iieved in discipline, he was not harsh nor
severe. He was a fayorite with the Of
ficers of the service and with the enlisted
men.
He leaves widow and two daughters.