Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1915-06-16
A SOUTHERN PRIVATEER,
Sea Adventures of John N. Maffitt,
DR., During War.

feuerate prlVateer, whose experiences
in the civil war are Of unusual inter
est at this time, says the Washington
Post.
The father of John Newland Maj
fit was destined for mercantile pur-
suits by his parents, but he chose
otherwise, having his heart set upon
the ministry. His parents were of
the Established Church of England,
while he was converted to the Wes
leyan doctrines.
The opposition which his cherished
ambition met with at home decided
him to cast his lot in America, and
hence he landed in New York in
1919, and three years later was re-
ceived into the New England Confer
ence Of the Methodist Episcopal
church.
John Newland Maffitt, Jr., born in
Dublin, Ireland, February %, 1919,
was naturally but an infant when his
father left Ireland, and a few years
later his mother brought him to the
United States. His father became
noted evangelist and did most Of his
work in the South. After the sepa-
ration of his mother and father the
son lived with his mother in New
Orleans. At the age of 13 he re-
ceived the appointment to the Uni
ted States Naval Academy from
North Carolina.
When the Civil War came he had
reached lieutenancy and was on the
reserve list. But following the ex-
ample Of so many Of the young men
of the South, who were officers in the
army and navy, he resigned his po-
sition and was made a first lieuten-
ant in the Confederate navy. His
first service was in command Of the
Savannah, defending Hatteras and
Port Royal, under Commander Tat
nall. The early blockading Of all
Southern ports rendered it difficult
for the Confederacy to establish any
considerable navy. During the sec
ond year OF the war Lieut.. Mantt was
sent with a cargo OF cotton to Eng
land.
Capt. Bullock, the naval agent of
the Confederacy in London, had con-
tracte" with Miller & Sons, ship
builders Of Liverpool, to construct
line of vessels with which to recruit
the Confederate navy, which work.
OF course, must be clandestinely per-
formed. While Lieut.. MafIitt was in
England the first vessel in the con-
tract was completed and made ready
for service. Upon the complaint of
the United States minister the YES
sci was seized, but was released and
was allowed to sail, clearing from
Liverpool as the "Oreto"
At Nassau the Oreto was delivered
by Lieut.. Maffitt, whereupon the Uni
ted States consul charged that the
vessel was intended for the Confede-
racy. The admiralty court ordered
her release and she proceeded to
Green Kay, one OF the Bahama Is
lands, and was there equipped with
armament previously sent in a
schooner
The Oreto, now being regularly
commissioned as Confederate
states naval cruiser, with Capt. Maf-
fit commanding, he changed her
name to that of the Florida, and
sailed away 10 run the blockade at
Mobile. An epidemic Of yellow fever,
which reduced the crew Of IS men
to one fireman and four deck hands,
forced the Florida to make for Car
denas, Cuba. where she remained
some time under medical charge and
for recruiting purposes. She sailed
again on September /, 1862; ran the
blockade at Mobile and found shelter
under the guns OF Fort Morgan,
where she was again fully fitted out
and manned.
Notwithstanding the blockading
fleet had been strengthened in order
to capture the little cruiser. she made
her escape, and a few days afterward
Capt. Maftitt too his first prize off
the coast OF Cub; for which he was
promoted. A few days later he cap.
tured and burned the clipper ship
Jacob Bell, bound for New York from
China with cargo valued at 81 ,5OO,-
900.
After cruising, capturing and de-
Stroying commerce until the Florida
had become one Of the most dreaded
vessels Of the sea, she was run into
cor