The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-14
Capt PARKER'S
MANY ESCAPES
Story of This Gallant Virginian,
Who Counted No
Danger.
NEARLY FRozE TO DEATH
Last Effort to Get Home Desper-
ate But Successful-Died
Here Recently,

The story of the late Captain John ii.
Parker's return to his native state at
the outbreak of the war, after many
years service in the Federal navy. reads
like bit OF fiction. Captain Parker
recently died in Manchester, at ripe
old age Of moro than eighty years, and
the story of his devotion to his state
when she needed him. as told In the fol-
lowing clipping from the Enquirer, OF
January 20, 1862, is doubly interesting:
Lieutenant John H. Parker. OF the
United States navy. arrived in this city
Friday evening, after resigning his office
and escaping from the Northern govern
ment spies and police. He was FIRST
lieutenant OF the steam sloop Decotan.
of tho East India squadron, ana arrived
in her about the middle of December, at
New York. We gather from him the
following interesting PARTICULARS:
The East India squadron was com
manded by Commodore striblng, and
consisted OF the steamship Hartford Gag
ship, the sloop John Adams. Commander
Berrien: the steam sloop Decotah, Com
mander Radford, and the steamer Sagi-
nav. Commander schenck.
The principal officers were nearly all
Southern men. Commodore Stribling is I
South Carollnian; Commander Radford,
virginian; Commander Berrien.
Georgian, and Lieutenants Parker and
Forrest, Yirginians. While at Hong
Kong. in the latter part OF June. news
OF the secession OF Virginia was received
by the squadron, producing a great sem
sation. Not very long afterwards Com
rr>t,NY a Apr
ford were relieved of their commands
and sent home. Captain Engle, of Penn
sylvania. succeeded the Commodore, and
Commander McKinstry, of Michigan. sue
ceeded Commander Radford. They arc
both decided Union men, and Captain II.
IS one OF the most obnoxious of Republi-
cans. OF course, this change In the offi-
GERS was strong indication. and officers
from the South were necessarily Cxtreme-
ly cautious in expressing their opinions.
Subsequent facts, however, show that the
displaced officers might have been trust
ed, since they are still in the service OF
tho Northern goVernment--Commodo
Stribling on some committee of invests
cation at Washington. and Commander
Radford member OF the Light Board
of New York. 1t was also understood
generally that Commander Berrien would
stay with the North. His ship had not
arrived at last dates.
Homeward Journey.
Soon after the change OF officers. the
squadron was ordered home. except the
Saginaw. small vessel of three guns.
under Officer Schenck, brother of the
Northern commander whose forces were
so disastrously cut UP at Vienna oy Col
onel now GeneraD Gregg's troops. On
the route home they stopped at Capetown,
where they heard of the battle of Bull
Run. to the infinite delight OF the South
ern men. 1t was even hailed with pleas
ure by the inhabitants. Here Lieutenant
Forrest was detached and sent home a
passenger on the Hartford. No accusa-
ton was made against him: but his COM
rades knew well that he was prisoner,
and understood that the step was taken
by order of Engle. a fit tool OF the North
ern despot!sm. for some words the leu
tenant was reported to have uttered on
hearing the news OF Bull Run. Since
his arrival he has been sent a prisoner
to Fort Warren!
The Decotah touched at the West In
dies. and was sent after the privateer
Sumter, but she had escaped from Mar
Unique. where she had been for some
time watched. The Decotah arrived at
New York, as already stated, and found
that the Hartford had reached Philadel-
phia some two weeks ahead Of her.
Upon arriving at New York Commnn-
der McKinstry administered the oath to
support the Constitution to officers and
crew, Lieutenant Parker, however, de-
claring that he took 1t upon tho condi-
ton that It bound him only so long as
he was an officer in the Federal navy.
He was then detached, with two weeks
leave OF absence. without restriction. In
due time no came to Maryland, sent In
his resignation by mail. and set about
making his escape across the Potomac,
In which he encountered great difficulty
and much suffering, owing to exposure
and the very cold weather.
Nearly Drowned.
His first essay failed because of the
unseaworthiness Of the boat, which was
found In a sinking condition, and he was
barely able to reach the Maryland shore
after the discovery. His second attempt
was made in Il boat with four passengers
and two boatmen A Federal cutter was
in sight, and her boats We're sent in.
chase. The refugees put back to the
Maryland shore, but were so holly pur-
sued that Lieutenant p. and one pas
senger escaped only by jumping out and
wadlng ashore, after which they hid
themselves in a neighboring swamp, In
which they suffered intensely from cold
and fatigue. wading through mud and ice.
The other four In tho boat. they believe,
were arrested. Lieutenant p. lost his
baggage. and for a week was subjected
| to every sort of discomfort and peril,
being hunted by the enemy. He was
| fired upon as he fled from the shore. He
was treated with as much kindness as
was in their power by Marylanders, but
for whose sympathies he must have been
captured His last and successful effort
was made at night In snow storm. in
which he suffered much; but had the good
| fortune to land safely on the shore of his
| native land. He reached home Friday
and was welcomed by friends and rela-
tives, who had been very uneasy for his
1 fate.
| Lieutenant p. has been eighteen months
1 absent. His ship. tho Decotah, Is the
fastest In the Federal navy, and thu
! government Is quite pleased at her ar
4 rival. He found the people In the West