page_title: Benjamin F. B. Hunter
section_title: Naval service
hierarchical_section_title: Benjamin F. B. Hunter / Naval service
caption_attribution_description: English: US Navy letter, Midshipman appointment for Benjamin F. B. Hunter
context_page_description: Lieutenant Benjamin Fitz-Bourne Hunter, USN, was a sailor and officer of the United States Sailing Navy. Born November 11, 1821, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he held positions of increasing responsibility and commanded many groups of sailors. He died April 9, 1884, age 62, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and was buried in Natchez, Mississippi.
context_section_description: Benjamin F.B. Hunter was a lieutenant in the United States Navy, honorably retired in 1851. He entered naval service in 1835 at the age of 14 and served two years "before the mast" on the USS Warren and resigned in 1837. Hunter reentered service in 1839, was the sailing master of the USS Portsmouth, led an expedition to resupply Captain John Fremont during the War with Mexico and later led land forces during the Mexican–American War campaign for Los Angeles. He also led a 140-man landing party ashore in San Jose, Mexico, where the American flag was raised with no resistance.
  Contained below are excerpts from official orders and correspondence as published.
  From the National Archives, Naval Officer Records (dates are as written in the official log): 
  "No. 2134
  
  10th April 1839, Reappointed Ben F.B. Hunter 
  
  20th Aug 1835. August 20th 1835 appointed5. Nov. 12th to the Warren 547. Oct. 10th 37 Resign. accepted 31, March 22 39 Reinstated and hold in readiness for active service 173. March 28th 39 to the Constitution (at Norfolk) April 11th to the Constitution at N.Y. 189."
  August 20, 1835: Benjamin F.B. Hunter, Esq. of the State of Georgia appointed an acting Midshipman.
  "Navy Department 
  
  20th August, 1835
  
  Sir,
  
  You are hereby appointed an Acting Midshipman in the Navy of the United States, and if your commanding officer shall after 6 months of actual service at sea, report favorably of your character, talents and qualifications, a Warrant will be given to you, bearing the date of this letter.
  
  I enclose a description of the uniform and the required oath: the latter, when taken and subscribed, you will transmit to this Department, with your letter of acceptance, in which you will state your age, and place of nativity.
  
  Your pay will not commence until you shall receive orders for service at sea.
  
  I am, respectfully
  
  M. Dickerson
  
  Ben F.B. Hunter, Esq.
  
  of the State of Georgia
  
  Washington"
  November 12, 1835: Assigned to USS Warren.
  October 10, 1837: Resigned, accepted October 31, 1837.
  March 22, 1839: Reinstated and hold in readiness for active service.
  March 28, 1839: To the USS Constitution at Norfolk.
  April 10, 1839: Received Warrant, reappointed as a Midshipman from the 20th day of August 1835.
  "Navy Department 
  
  Martin Van Buren
  
  PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA
  
  TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS GREETING:
  
  Know YE, That reporting special trust and confidence in the Patriotism, Valor, Fidelity and Abilities of BEN F. B. HUNTER I do appoint him a Midshipman in the NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES, from the 20th of August, 1835.
  
  HE IS, THEREFORE, carefully and diligently to discharge all duties of a Midshipman. I do strictly charge and require all Officers, seamen and others under his command, to be obedient to his orders.
  
  AND he is to obey the orders and directions which he shall receive from the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES or his superior Officer according to the Rules and Discipline of the NAVY. THIS WARRANT is to continue in force during the pleasure of the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES.
  
  GIVEN under my hand at the City of Washington, this TENTH day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine and in the sixty third Year of the INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES.
  
  By the President M. Van Buren
  
  J.K. Paulding Secretary of the Navy
  
  Registered L B Hardin"
  April 10, 1839: Assigned to the U.S.S. Constitution.
  "Navy Department
  
  April 10th 1839 
  
  Sir,
  
  Herewith you will receive a Warrant as a Midshipman in the Navy of the United States, from the 20th day of August 1835, the receipt of which you will please acknowledge to this Department.
  
  I am, respectfully, yours,
  
  J K Paulding
  
  Mid. Ben F.B. Hunter
  
  U.S. frigate Constitution
  
  New York"
  April 11, 1839: To the Constitution at NY.
  "Navy Department 
  
  April 11th, 1839
  
  Sir,
  
  The Frigate Constitution having, it is understood, sailed from Norfolk, you will proceed to New York and report to Commodore Ridgely for duty in that ship.
  
  I am respectly, yours
  
  J K Paulding
  
  Reported April 13, 1839
  
  H M
  
  Mid. Ben F.B. Hunter
  
  U.S. Navy
  
  Washingto
caption: US Navy letter, Midshipman appointment for Benjamin F. B. Hunter
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