The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1915-06-17
4 SOUTHERN PRIVATEER.
sea Adventures of John y. Mattitt,
Jr., During War.

federate pioneer. whose experiences
in the civil war are of unusual inter-
est at this time, says the Washing
ton Post.
The father OF John Newland Maj
fit was destined for mercantile pur-
suits by his parents, but he chose
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 Eewland Mafitt. Jr., born In
Dublin, Ireland, February %, 1873,
was naturally but an infant when his
father left Ireland, and 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 separ-
alton 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 example OF so
many OF the young men of the South,
who were officers in the army and
navy, he resigned his position and
was made first lieutenant in the Con-
federate navy. His first service was
in command of the Savannah. defend
ing Hatteras and Port Royal. under
Commander Tantall. The early
blockading of all Southern ports rem
dered it difficult for the Confedera-
cy to establish any considerable
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, ship
builders of Liverpool, to construct a
line of vessels with which to recruit
the Confederate navy, which work,
of course, must be clandestinely per-
formed. While Lieut.. Mafitt 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 YES
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 Confederate States
naval cruiser, with Capt. Maffitt, COM
manding, he changed her name to
that of the Florida, and sailed away
to run the blockade at Mobile. An
epidemic of yellow fever, which re-
duced the crew of s 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 l, 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. Mafitt 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,
600.
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. Maffitt had cap
tured 55 prizes, some of them very
large and richly laden vessels. The
yellow fever and other tropical dis