Benjamin F . B . Hunter Lieutenant Benjamin Fitz - Bourne Hunter , USN ( Ret . ) , 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 ( Hunter Lot # 205 , Plot # 3 ) . Naval Service . 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 , 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 ) : < poem > " 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 . " < / poem > < poem > " 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 " < / poem > < poem > " 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 " < / poem > < poem > " 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 " < / poem > < poem > " 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 Washington " < / poem > < poem > " Mid . Hunter reported this day Feby . 2 1841 James Biddle Navy Department January 27th , 1841 Sir , Agreeably to your request of the 25th inst . you have permission to attend the Naval School at Philadelphia , first reporting to Comm . Biddle , governor of the asylum . In case you avail yourself of this permission you are to conform to all the regulations of that establishment , as you will be held responsible for their neglect or violation in the same manner as for disobedience of orders or other misconduct on board ship . I am , respectfly , yours J K Paulding Mid B . F . B . Hunter U . S . Navy Washington , D . C . " < / poem > < poem > " Navy Department June 30th , 1841 Sir , I enclose to you a Warrant as a Passed Midshipman in the Navy of the United States , dated the 29th day of June 1841 , assigning you rank as such from the 22nd day of June 1841 , and numbered Six the receipt of which you will please acknowledge to this Department . I am respectfully , yours Geo . E . Badger Pass . Mid . B . F . B . Hunter U . S . Navy ( Baltimore ) Washington , D . C . " < / poem > < poem > " Navy Department Sept . 8th , 1841 Sir , You will proceed to New York without delay , and report to Captn . Perry for duty on board the U . S . Schooner Madison . I am , respectfully , Your obt . Sevt . Geo . E . Badger Pas . d Midn Ben F . B . Hunter U . S . Naval Depot of Charts Washington reported Sept 14 , 1841 M . C . Perry Comdt . " < / poem > < poem > " Comdts office Navy Yard New York Sept 14 1841 Sir In obedience to the written orders of the 8th inst - - you will report for duty to the Comdg officer of the U . S . Schr Madison . Respectfully M . C . Perry Comdt Pasd Mid B . F . B . Hunter U . S . Navy Comdt . " < / poem > < poem > " Navy Department Sept . 27th , 1843 Sir , You are hereby detached from the Schr . Wave and you will report to Commd . Kennedy for duty as Acting Master of the USS Ship Vandalia . I am , respectfy , yours , David Henshaw Pass ' d Mid Ben F . B . Hunter U . S . Navy Norfolk " < / poem > < poem > " Navy Department Oct 3d 1843 Sir , The Vandalia having sailed your order to her is hereby revoked & you will regard yourself as " waiting orders " . I am , respectfy , yours David Henshaw Pass ' d Mid ' n Ben F . B . Hunter U . S . Navy Washington , D . C . " < / poem > < poem > " Treasury Department Fourth Audition Office October 25th , 1843 Sir , I have received your letter of the 21st inst - asking that your account may be transferred to the Charleston S . C . station . The Schooner On - ka - hy - e to which you are now attached , is about to proceed to Charleston S . C . . On her arrival there the Navy agent at that place , who discharges the duties of Purser of that station , will pay the officers & crew of that vessel . I am sir , respty , Your Obt sevt A . V . Dayton Acty Master Ben F . B . Hunter U . S . Schooner On - ka - hy - e " < / poem > < poem > " U . S . Naval Station Charleston , S . C . Apr 22d , 1844 Sir , Enclosed are orders from the Hon Secretary of the Navy you are thereby detached from the U . S . S . On ka hy e . You will therefore proceed without delay to Pensacola . I am Respectfully , Your Obt Serv ' t Rich - T . Pinkney Comdn USN Comdn Station To Pass ' d Mid Ben F . B . Hunter U . S . Navy " < / poem > < poem > The Portsmouth , " Old Poverty " , first anchored at Monterey at the request of the American Counsel John Larkin , who was concerned for the welfare of the American citizens residing there . The USS Cyane and Levant now back from their mission to Honolulu relieved the Portsmouth of her guard duty and she proceeded to Yerba Buena . The mission was to claim California for the United States if war was declared and assist John Fremont who was in the Sacramento Valley . < / poem > < poem > " New and startling rumors now began to spread about . Capt Fremont had returned to California , had been joined by Lt . Gillespie , who was on a secret mission from the States , and was determined to chastise Castro for his insolence . In furtherance of this plan , he had sent down to us a requisition for money , stores and ammunition and our launch was forewith to be fitted out , and proceed up the Sacramento River , with the necessary supplies . These rumors coupled with the great movements of cleaning , caulking and watering ship fully occupied our time . There for the first time this cruise we had a general wash " . < / poem > Downey ' s book " Filings From An Old Saw " describes the departure of the launch . . < poem > " The launch , which had as well as the ship , undergone great repairs , was hauled alongside , and at once fitted for war . Her swivel was mounted on the bow , arm chest , ammunition , and fixed shot boxes secured in the stern , sheets - oars releathered , masts stepped and sails fitted , and everything betokened was about to be done . A staunch and trusty crew was assigned to her ; the stores ordered were stowed in her ; ten days rations issued to her men , she was put in the charge of Lieut [ Benjamin F . B . ] Hunter and at or about 10 P . M . , she shoved off on an expedition unknown to any save the officers , and even they were as mute as the grave upon the subject of their destination " . < / poem > Passages from Frd Blackburn Roger ' s book " Montgomery and the Portsmouth " describe the boatload of supplies sent to Fremont . < poem > " Soon came the task of loading the Portsmouth ' s launch with the requisitioned supplies , among which were : " 5 Bbls Flour , one dozen pork , one box soap , 2 boxes tobacco , 10 lbs candles , 3 dozen pair stockings , 100 Blue Flannel shirts , one sack coarse salt , one Breaker , 50 lbs Lead , 400 Percussion Caps , 37 yards Russia Duck , 73 yards No . 6 cotton canvas , 4 lbs . twine , one box Medicines , 500 lbs iron . The launch was of good size : 30 ' length , 8 ' 5 " beam and 3 ' 10 " depth . When it departed June 11 it was deeply laden , for addition to the supplies it carried Lieut . B . F . B . Hunter ( in charge ) , Gillespie and his colored servant , Purser James H Watmough , Asst . Surg Marius Duvall , Robert E . Russell , a pilot , and " a lawless Frenchman who had crossed the mountains with Capt . Fremont " . < / poem > < poem > " USS Portsmouth Yerbabuena July 29th , 1846 Sir , You will proceed in one of the ships boats to Sonoma , and on your arrival there , hand to Capt John Grigsby , or the Commanding Officer present , the accompanying communication , and affording him such assistance , or information supporting the proposed changes in their Military organization as may be in your power . You will return without unnecessary delay and report to me . Respectfully I am Sir Your Obt Sevt , John B . Montgomery Commandg To Actg Lt . B . F . B . Hunter U . S . Ship Portsmouth " < / poem > Ships Sailed . Ports of Call Family . Hunter married with Ms . Catharine Jane Pilmore on August 8 , 1848 in the Trinity Episcopal Church , Natchez , Mississippi . Family Bible , Illuminated Bible , The Apocrypha , Harper & Brothers , New York , 1846 . Lost in estate sale , 2012 Notes . Originals and copies of Naval Orders and Correspondence were obtained from Ms . Adrienne Heuer in 2012 who resides in Navarre , Florida . Naval records were also obtained from the National Archives Naval Officer Records in Washington , D . C . Research on Lt . Hunter ' s career was conducted by Mr . Jackie Dean Heuer and Ms . Audrey Carol Heuer . Wiki compiled by signalcharlie , for more information contact signalcharlie .