Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-08-09

river steamer Toey-wan to take the Ameri-
can minister, John E. Ward, of Savannah,
to Pekin in order to ratfy treaty nego-
tiated the preceding year. When the Ameri-
can squadron arrived off the Pei-ho, TAFT
nall found there the French and British
naval forces with their diplomatic repre-
sentatves aboard. The Chinese having re-
fused permission for any foreign vessels to
proceed the British and French forces at
tackled the forts.
Brought His Boat Under Fire
Tattnall, seeing that they were being
worsted, and that the boats containing re-
Inducements could not stem the strong cur
rent of the stream, he, in the TOey-wan, de-
claring that blood is thicker than water,
towed the fiotilla up to the support of the
badly pressed British and French vessels.
Tattnall not only brought the Toey-wan I'M
der fire, but lent the aid of his boats to
land detaehments to turn the Chinese de-
lenses.
1t is interesting to note that the above
mentioned John E. Ward was Americas first
minister to China, and it was a remarkable
coincidence that he and Tattnall, both Sa-
Yannahans, should have met at this partic-
and that Ward should have been transported
on his official mission fronrAport to port by
his fellow-townsman.
Cast Destiny With the Confederacy
: When the flame of the War Between the
States blazed forth, Ward promptly resigned
from the diplomatic service Of the United
States, and TattnalI resigned from the Fed
eral navy and cast his destiny with the Con-
federacy. Tattnall was appointed senior
ag-officer in the navy at Georgia, Febru-
airy %, 1861, seven days after his resigna-
ton from the service Of the United States.
In the following month he was commissioned
a captain, and assigned to the command of
the naval defense of the water of Georgia
and South Carolina. with Instructions to do
the best he could to tmprovise a squadron
of light steamers and river craft.
Succeeds Wounded Flag Officer
When the brave and intrepid Flag-officer
Franklin Buchanan was seriously wounded
in the action with the Federal squadron in
Hampton Roads, Tattnall, March 20,
1862, was given command of the naval de-
lenses of the waters of the state of Virginia,
and was directed to hoist his flag the
ship Virginia (Merrimac). He promptly
gave defiance to the Federal fleet at Fort
dauntless, fearless during the entire time
he directed affairs. He was finally forced
to destroy the famous boat, after brilliant
career of triumphs and wonderful prowess,
in order to save her from capture by the
superior forces of the enemy.
destroy Everything When Necessary"
Later. Commodore Tattnall was placed In
charge of the defenses at Savannah, and
the work of naval construction, The capture
Of Savannah by Serman appearing imminen
Secretary of the Navy Mallory telegraphed
to Commodore Tattnal as follows: Should
Savannah fall do not permit vessels I'M
der construction or any of the public prop
erty in your charge to fall into the hands of
the enemy. Destroy everything when neces-
sary to prevent this
Surrendered When Johnston Did
The inevitable having arrived, Commodore
Tattnall executed the orders of Secretary
Mallory regarding the ships and naval prop
erty at the port Of Savannah. Subsequently,
he went to Augusta and was included in
Jobnston's surrender to Sherman. Tattnall
was about seventy years old when the war
closed. This gallant veteran had been fight
ing on the seas for more than half a century.
He was paroled a prisoner of war The
conFgict had left him in reduced financial
circumstances, and in 1870 the mayor and
council of Savannah created for him the
office of inspector of the port, at annual
salary of $1,000. His death occurred on
June IA of the following year.