The Washington herald., 1906-12-30

FOTty-hve years of achievement, Years
that have seen the most vital changes
that were ever made In the navies Of the
world. Years that required the young
sailor TO hand. reef, and steer 10
climb alOft on many a dark night and
haul. with stinening fingers. on a weather
earring. Years of sailing in tTOpic calm
and Cape Horn gale; Of searching in the
arctic Tor lost explorers and along the
ice foes Of the antarctic for lost sealers
Years Of hard work and brilliant glory.
winning promotion step by step until
II was given him, as it is given 70 few,
10 enter battle with his own pennant
blowing TO the breeze, and, before retir-
ing. to win permanent place on the
rolls Of history.
Winfield Scott Schley-named after his
sponsor, the great Gen. Winfield Scott,
who won his spurs in 1872 and in the
Mexican war-was born at Richfields.
Md. In 1875 He himself is authority
for the statement that Capt. Marryat
did much toward shaping his career.
He had talked often TO Gen. Winfield
Scott Of the glories OF a military career,
but says he: 1T was Midshipman Easy
and Frank Midway that settled me,
and when the time came secured a nom
nation as acting midshipman in the navy
through the kindness Of the Hon. H. W
Hoffman. who had been elected largely
through the influence Of my relatives"
Four years he spent at the Academy.
making practice cruises in the old sailing
ships Of war, the Preble and the Ply
mouth.
Those were the days Of real seaman
ship" says Admiral Schley remIniscentiy.
days Of hard tack and salt junk, weevtly
rice and wOrmy cheese. There were no
canned delicacles then and no modern
condensers FOR providing plenty Of fresh
water. one gallon a day was the allow
ance for washing, drinking. and cooking. %
The young midshipman graduated in 1850
and he received his commission signed
by President Buchanan. He was assigned
to the steam frigate Niagara, then under
orders for China and Japan.
The year previous" said the admiral,
IAN embassy from Japan had paid a
formal visit to the United States in re-
turn for Commodore Perry's visit there
and this embassy the Niagara was %
carry DICK 10 the Iatitll4l hllleABAtA @ II
was called in those days. This was my
I first long voyage and it was during this
| trip that one of the japanese purchased
/ q large monkey at Anger Point and be
coming a nuisance the crew chased hin
/ trying TO catch the animal I joined in the
/ chase and the monkey fell overheard. fol
which I was blamed. The japanese weTe
/ at first inclined to feel hurt over the loss
/ Of their pet, but l explained that the
monkey must have committed suicide
and so the incident was allowed 10 close.
/ This cruise lasted a long time. The
voyage home was begun in March, 1851
] The ship reached Boston on Sunday and
( of came q pilot.
What's the news?" he was asked
Where are you FROM was his reply.
From Hongkong. last answered the
captain. What's the news?''
why" answered the pilot, the coun-
l try is all busted TO h
The civil war had broken out. At once
! the officers and crew Of the Niagara re
I swore fidelity 10 Old Glory, and, meta
! phOrically, rolled up their sleeves for q
/ fight
Events now moved thick and fast. First
/ in one vessel, then in another. the young
naval officer began to do his share in the
/ war.
When were you first under fire, ad.
| miraI?' he was asked.
| ION the Water Witch. when we were
I sent after a schooner, q blockade runner
/ at Mobile Bay, which was forced ashor,
under the guns of Fort Morgan. The
Water Witch was taken as close to the
/ h. oil
and then We were sent after her with the
boats: we set fire to her and destroyed
! her. The shells whistled all about us, but
! the aim was bad. and none hit US
! Schley served on the blOckading force
/ under Admiral FarragUt for some weary
| weeks. and was then transferred % tht
| Potomac for a voyage 10 Vera Cruz. This
1 carried him up to July, 1862. when he was
promoted to the grade of lieutenant. and
/ ordered TO act as executive officer OF the
/ Winona, and to service in the Mississippi
| River. Here there were various brushes
with the Confederates, which necessitated
| the winona going to New Orleans foI
| repairs, after which she went on patrol
/ duty from DonaldsonviIle to Port Hud-
/ son. Afterward transferred to the com
mand of the Monongahela, young Schley
proved that he had studied his Nelson tC
| some purpose.
| He was ordered to lombard and destroy
battery, and when Admiral Farragu
made a signal for his recall he followed
| Nelson's example and declined TO see II
/ Says he: I'VE went ahead and destroyed
| the battery, and when I got back to tht
| commander-in-chief, Admiral Farragut
said:
Captain. you begin early in life to dis
| obey orders Did you not see the sigma
/ flying for you TO return?
Il stammered out an explanation abou
not seeing the signal on account of tn,
smoke. but the admiral said he wanted
/ none of this Nelson business in hi.
| squadron about not seeing signals
! "Afterward," continued Admiral Schley
Admiral Farragut called me into hi
/ cabin and commended me. He always be
lieved that the secret of success was de
| pendence upon the responsible judgmen
/ of the officer on the spot"
| Then came year OF service in Contra
and South America, after which he had (;
period as instructor at the Naval Acad
envy, which he gladly left to rejoin Far
ragut. They took cruise to France.
The French court was in mourning
then for the unfortunate Macmillan.
| says Admiral Schley, but the French re
ceived US very kindly, and it was at thi
time that had the pleasure of seeing tn
beautiful Empress OF the French. Sh
was then in the zenith of her beauty
She was the soul of courtesy to all WHOM
| hsft avpa