Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-18


the warship put into Magdalena and in
tered the remains with becoming ceremo-
MES
Captain Reisinger sacrificed himself to
his arduous duties as senior naval officer
guarding American interests at Panama
during many months. He was indefatiga-
Bile In his work from January % to April %.
He was taken down with low fever, but
performed his duties till June 2S when the
ship sailed.
Navy Department Notified.
The Navy Department this morning re-
oeived confirmation of the news of the
death of Captain William Wagner Resin
ger, who was in command of the cruiser
Philadelphia when she left Panama, and
who died of Panama fever on the trip to
San Francisco. No details were contained
in the departments notification of his death.
Captain Reisinger, according to reports re-
ceived by the family here, had not been in
particularly good health during his stay on
the isthmus In fact he had just recovered
from an attack of grip contracted in this
city when he assumed command of the
Philadelphia last December His general
condition and the enerVating climate of the
tropics probably made him an easy victim
of the dreaded fever which carried him
away. His body will be brought to the
United States probably by the Ranger.
will be buried in Arlington cemetery.
Capt. Reisinger's Career
Capt. Reisinger was born in Pennsylvania
and entered the Naval Academy in April
1862. Prior to that time he had served as
volunteer in a regiment of Pennsylvania
cavalry during the civil war. After grad
uating in 1866 he served on various ships
in all parts of the world. Rising gradually
through the he
captain November %. 1900. At various
times he commanded the Omaha, Yantic
and Monocacy, being in command of the
last named vessel during the Japanese
Chinese war, when he rendered valuable
service, together with the commanders of
warships of other foreign nations, in pre-
serving order at Tien-Tsin.
Returning to the United States he was
on duty al the Washington navy yard up
TO the time of the outbreak of the Span
ish war, when he was assigned to the COM
mand of the Pensacola navy yard and
served there during the entire war. He
ganiZed the naval militia to defend that
station, and fitted out the mosquito fleet
His work there received the commendat ton
of the department From Pensacola he was
transferred to San Francisco TO take COM
mand of the Philadelphia.
He leaves a wife and three children who
make their home at 1909 18th street His
children are Mrs. Joseph A. Murphy wife
of DR.. Murphy of the navy; Lieut.. H. C.
Reisinger of the Marine Corps, who is now
at Olongapo. P. L., and DR.. E. w. Rel
singer, who is in practice in this city.
Capt. Reisinger's Last Services.
The last report received from Captain
Reisinger was dated, Panama, June %, and
gave an account of the condition of affairs
on the isthmus at that writing The report
was made public by the Navy Department
this afternoon, together with a letter from
Secretary Hay, highly commencing Captain
Reisinger's services in Panama.
The report is as follows:
The expedition referred to in my letter
Mis-. 81 of June %, 1902, is still matter of
considerable anxiety in government circles,
as nothing definite has been received from
that quarter The situation has been rem
dered more interesting from the fact that
the Padila and Darien of the liberal forces
have again appeared in the waters in this
vicinity. The Chucuito, Colombian gunboat
was attacked by the Padla few days ago.
and after several shots had been exchanged
the Chucuito cast off schooner which she
had in tow and took care Of herself AS
far as can be ascertained. it Is understood
that this schooner. with some seventy SOL
diers. was captured by the Padilla. Upon
the receipt Of this information the Boyaca
Chucuito and Gunboat No 8, were sent to
the northward. This was on June 20, and
nothing has been heard from them since
on the evening of the 10Th the Ranger
came in and anchored. and Commander
Potter delivered TO me the orders of the
department. The injunction contained in
those orders 20 put my successor In pos
session Of the condition of affairs on ,he
fsthmus has been carefully carried ont
Keeping this in view l have not hurried
my departure lest sonnet hing may have
been overlooked. /, who have been for five
months an observer of affairs upon the
isthmus. entertain some doubt in my mind
as to the effect which might be produced
by the temperance of the Padilla which
has been refftted and more thoroughly
armed at Corinto. addressed an official let
ter to the consul general Of the United
States at this port asking him for such
information as he could obtain concerning
the Padilla and her movements as also for
an expression Of his opinion whether the
withdrawal of the Philadelphia at this
tuncture would work injury to American
interests. He answered in the negative and
expressed the opinion that the Ranger
would be sufficient for the protection of
American interests. My inquiry was made
as guide to the ACCESSIBILITY of cabling to
The department. While it is true that the
Philadelphia's underbOdy Is in a deplor-
able state of foulness l would not wish 20
withdraw were it apparent that the in
terests of the United States demanded her
presence. without further instructions from
Washington.
Il have furnished Commander Potter
with copies Of my correspondence and with
copies OF letters of the honorable Secretary
of State. as also copy Of the consul gem
erals letter above referred to- With a
view of putting him on the best terms with
the governor and the consul general, a visit
to the Philadelphia by the governor and his
stan and the consul general was arranged
FOR this morning, when my successor was i.
presented to them all. and In thanking
them for the many acts of courtesy which
nave marked our intercourse a continuation
was requested in behalf of the newcomer.
The interview was marked by the utmost
cordially. and the governor was pleased to
say that the presence of the PHILADELPHIA
In these waters has been a source of great
satisfaction to him.