Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-06-04
A SOUTHERN PRIvATEER

A SOUTHERN PRIvATEER
Sea Adventurers of John N. Maffitt
Jr., During War.
Twenty-Five years ago, May 10
1886, there died in Wilmington, N. c.
John Newland Maffitt, Jr. a Confeder'
ate pioneer, whose experiences in the
Civil war are of unusual interest al
this time, says the Washington Post
The father Of John Newland Maffitt
was destined for mercantile pursuits
by his parents, but he chose other
wise, 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 cherish
ed ambition met with at home decid-
ed 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 %, 1873,
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 a
noted evangelist and did most Of his
work in the south. After the separa-
ton Of his mother and father the son
lived with his mother in New Or
leans. At the age Of 13, he received
the appointment to the United States
naval academy from North Carolina
When the Civil war came he had
reached a 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 posi-
ton and was made first lieutenant In
the Confederate navy. His first SER
vice was in command Of the Savan-
nah, defending Hatteras and Port
Royal, under Commander Tantall
The early blockading Of all southern
ports rendered 1t difficult for the Con-
federacy to establish any considera-
BILE navy. During the second year
of the war, Lieut. Maffitt was sent
with a cargo Of cotton to England.
Capt. Bullock, the naval agent OF
the Confederacy in London, had con-
tracted with Miller & Sons, shipbuild-
ers 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.. Mafatt 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 vessel
was seized, but was released and was
allowed to sail, clearing from Liver
pool as the Oreto.
At Nassau the Oreto was delivered
by Lieut. Maffitt, whereupon the Unit
ed States consul charged that the ves-
sci was intended for the Confederacy.
The admiralty court ordered her re-
lease, and she proceeded to Green
Kay, one Of the Bahama islands, and
was there equipped with armament
previously sent in a schooner.
The Oreto, now being regularly
commissioned as a Confederate states
naval cruiser, with Capt. Maff1tt, CON-
manding, he changed her name to
thai of the Florida, and sailed away
to run the blockade at Mobile. An
epidemic Of yellow fever, which re-
duced the crew Of 1S men to one fire
men and four deck hands, forced the
Florida to make for Cardenas, Cuba,
where she remained some time under
medical charge and for recruiting
purposes. She sailed again on Sep
tember 1, 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 few days afterward
Capt. Maffitt took his first prize of
the coast Of Cuba, for which he was
promoted. A few days later he cap
tured and burned the clipper ship
John Bell, bound for New York from
Cuba with a cargo valued at $780,
900.
After cruising, capturing and de-
stroying commerce until the Florida
had become one of the most dreaded
vessels of the sea, she run into Brest,
France, for repairs. 1t was just one
year from the date Of her equipment
until the Florida was at Brest, and
in that time Capt. Maff1tt had cap
tured SIS prizes some Of them very
large and richly laden vessels. The
yellow fever and other tropical dis
eases had shattered his health and he
was obliged to take a rest. With the
exception Of a short time as com
mander Of the Albemarle he never
saw service again.