Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-04
Capt. Gridley's Record.

1896 - .
Capt. Gridley's Record.
His record in that engagement, which did
SO much for speedily deciding the result Of
the recent war. is one peculiarly worthy Of
the nations recognition. Capt. Gridley
arose from a sick bed and took command
of his ship on Sunday morning. May !.
1898, and remained at his post as one of
Admiral Dewey's faithful assistants In the
destruction Of the Spanish feet. To him
Admiral Dewey intrusted the opening Of
early in the morning: You may ere when
ever you are ready, Gridley." How well
he fulfilled his trust is shown by the result
of the battle. He took his position in the
coming tower, whence he directed both the
force of the ship and the firing upon the
Spanish fleets and forts. The heat in the
coming tower was intense, and this, with
a breach which he received during the day,
aggravated the disease from which he was
at the time suffering; SO that on the 23th
of May he was ordered to the United
States; but the results of the strain and
exposure of the battle were too great to
be overcome, and he died at Kobe, Japan,
on the 9th day of June Ie1S9S. Before
breathing his last, he said:' The battle of
Manila caused my death, but 1 would do
the same thing again
ITO such men do we owe the strength of
cur arms in war-strong, brave, heroic and
patriotic. And 1t makes our nation Drawer
end stronger to keep bright the memory
of those whose lives have been laid down
that our flag might wave as proudly as 1t
does today.
"One word more. While we pay homage
to the man. turn with reverence to the
woman who bore him. To her, comrades,
belongs your tenderest sympathy; and her
bravery Is even greater than was her sons.
She made the sacrifice. She lives with that
in her heart which time can never obliter-
ate. although 1t may soften. Did you know
war she served faithfully as an army
nurse? Some of you may have learned
what may be required of woman who
serves her country, and that only patriot
ism and love for the men who are willing
to lay down their lives in defense of their
country can give strength to a frail woman
to endure the hardships of her work. 1t is
from her hand that / now present to you,
Col. Hodgson, this picture Of Capt. Charles
Vernon Gridley. to be placed upon the walls
of your lodge room, trusting that 1t may be
accepted with a mothers appreciation of
the comrades on land and sea who offered
themselves for the same cause that of up
holding the principles Of our glorious flag
and country"
Commanders Response.
In accepting the portrait Commander
Hodgson Of the District corps said:
ION behalf OF the District of Columbia
Corps. Spanish War Veterans, I have the
HoiloT 10 dchHoWieuBe the nlgn compliment
paid our organization by Mrs. Gridley in
presenting 10 our corps the portrait of her
noble son. Tho Temple OF Fame dedi-
Gated to the heroes of our peerless navy,
contains many illustrious names, but none
inscribed thereon is more suggestive of
every trait brave. loyal and true. than
is the name of Charles " Gridfey
1.-The victorious achievements of our navy,
from Its inception to the outbreak of the
Spanish war. made the world wonder. Our
naval victories during the Spanish war did
more than to surprise the world-they made
our own people wonder. -
ION the eve of the Spanish war the con-
sensus OF opinion among those who pro-
fessed to be familiar with the subject was
to the effect that during the first naval
battles our ships would be, destroyed. but
In consequence OF our prolific resources we
could build ships faster than they would
be sunk by the enemy, and ultimately we
would conquer the Spanish navy. No one
dreamed Of such a victory as that won at
Manila bay by our squadron under COM
mand Of the peerless Dewey. None con-
ceived the possibility of such a result as
that achieved at Santiago by the ships
commanded during the fight by the gallant
6chley.
Among Foremost Nations
1.-THE Spanish war gave an impetus to our
affairs that sent our country with one great
stride TO position among the foremost
nations Of the world; 1t enabled our citi-
zens to be first in the marts of peace; 1t
emphasized the fact that our army and
navy are first in the arts of war.
Our soldiers and sailors have made our
country and our flag all that 1t Is today.