The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-07-05
Death of WeIl-KnOWn Persons.

CAPTAIN BENNETT.
Capt. John W Bennett. 81 years old, died at his
home The Heights near SykesVille, June .. lie
was stricken with paralysis Friday.
Captain Bennett is survived by widow and six
children. His widow was daughter OF the late
Commodore Charles LOwndes. The children are
Misses Ellen Lowndes and Harriet Gibson Bennett
and Messrs. Charles Lowndes Pennington 1ilton,
b. Baden and Francis Lloyd Bennett
Captain Bennett was born i'll TIA lbot county, Nd,
i'll 1922. and was appointed midshipman Ill the navy
in 1870 After seeing sea service he entered the
Naval Academy and graduated with the hrst CLASS
from the institution in 1876. He Immediately Sc
cured an appointment, serving under Commodores
Conner and Perry in their naval operations against
Vera Cruz and i'll the land operations against Tux
pan and Tabasco Being transferred to the nagship
Mississippi, he taken with yellow fever When
he recovered he was made acting master of the Spit
fire. which position he held until the Mexican war
ended.
Returning to the United States, he was engaged
in coast survey work. especially on the outer Dia-
mopd shoal" Off Cape Hatteras. The winters OF
1913 and 1850 spent on the Raritdu III Inc west
Indies He was on the Susquehanna when she
made her trip to Japan and the East Indies Nheh
Commodore Perry reached Japan Captain Bennett
was naviga ting officer of the Susquehanna and was
discharging that duty when the squadron entered
Yeddo bay for the first time.
Captain Bennett was on duty in the Naval obser-
vatory at Washington when the crisis Which pre-
cipitated the Civil War arose. lie was oruereu 10
join an ex pedition setting out under the command
of Admiral Rowan but as he suspected II was aliheo
AGAINST the South he asked the Navy Department TO
change his orders oraccept his resignation lie dld
not 90 with the expedition, and month later WAS
notified that his name had been stricken OIL Inc
navy rolls He Immediately went to Richmond,
int, Mt in Confederate
and received it in one hour. He reported to Gen.
Reauregard at Manassas, to take part i'll the IN
trcnchment work. and in the subsequent battle
commanded two of the eight batteries III the IN
trenchments ut headquarters
CAPTAIN Benefits first assignment Ill the tohIed-
crate Navy TO the Nashville, Captain ieSialh'
which was fitted out to carry Confederate Commis
sioners Mason and Slidell to England. The Com
missioners went by another ship, but the Nashflie
went straight to southampton, England IN the
entrance to the British channel she captured Inc
American merchantmen Harvey Blrch' remover
her valuables and burned her. The Nashville was
the first vessel to carry the Confederate flag into
British waters After an Intellectual effort by the
United States ship Tuscarora to capture her the
Nashville ran the blockade and reached the harDor
of Beaufort, \. C..
From the Nashville Captain Bennett went to the
Gaines, which was beached i'll the battle OF Mobile
bay the crew escaping to Mobile III small Doats
The command of naval battery called Buchanan
was his charge until he took command OF the new
Nashville in the defense of NJ obie. The city having
been evacuated the fleet retired up the Tomblgpee
river and while at Demopolis, Ala, news was re-
ceiyed of the surrender of Generals Lee and john
ston and the assassination OF President Lincoln
Captain Bennett returned TO Maryland by way OF
New Orleans and Norfolk and settled at The
Heights, where he died.
At his home Capt Bennett had his room fixed up
as warCrouln, having bunk and all The other at
tendanL features of ships wardroom. The loom
he had filled with his many curios and memehtos
of war days"
His funeral was held Tuesday afternoon, Rev Mr.
Danes otiicatng. The home was filled TO over
flowing with friends and reia tives OF the deceased
Many handsome floral tributes covered the casket.
After the services the body removed to Spring
field Cemetery for interment. The pallbearers were
J. NJ Delashmut, j. oliver Wadlow, W. IL. Forsythe'
Dr. I. Clement Clark, W. Ii. d. Warield and Dr. D.
B. Speaker.