By J.
T. Headley
Comprising the early life and
public services of the prominent naval commanders who, with Grant and Sherman
and their generals, brought to a triumphant close the great rebellion of
1861-1865. (First edition 1867)
(Return to table of contents of this book)
CHAPTER
VIII
COMMODORE
CHARLES STUART BOGGS
EARLY
IMPRESSIONS—HIS NATIVITY AND EARLY EDUCATION—ANECDOTE—ENTERS THE NAVAL
SERVICE—HIS FIRST CRUISE—GREEK PIRATES—CRUISE TO THE WEST INDIES—A
LIEUTENANT—SERVICE IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN—HAS CHARGE OF THE APPRENTICES IN NEW
YORK HARBOR—ORDERED TO THE AFRICAN COAST—SERVES ON BOARD THE PRINCETON
DURING THE MEXICAN WAR—A DARING ACT—CRUISE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN—THE GREEKS
ASTONISHED AT A PROPELLER—SENT TO THE WORLD’S FAI—INSPECTOR OF CLOTHING
AND PROVISIONS IN NEW YORK HARBOR—COMMANDS A CALIFORNIA STEAMER—INSPECTOR OF
LIGHTS ON THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA—HIS POSITION AND FEELINGS ON THE BREAKING
OUT OF THE REBELLION—OFFERS A REWARD TO THE MOST GALLANT SOLDIER OF HIS
COUNTRY—ORDERED HOME—GIVEN THE COMMAND OF THE VARUNA—JOINS FARRAGUT’S
SQUADRON—PASSAGE OF THE FORTS BELOW NEW ORLEANS—HIS GALLANT CONDUCT—THE
BOY OSCAR—IS PRESENTED WITH A SWORD FOR HIS GALLANTRY—ON BLOCKADING DUTY OFF
WILMINGTON HARBOR—HIS HEALTH FAILS—APPOINTED ON ADMIRAL GREGORY’S STAFF AT
NEW YORK—PLANS AND BUILDS TORPEDO-BOATS—HIS SERVICES SINCE THE WAR—HIS
CHARACTER.
It is curious often to trace
the causes which have given bent to a man’s whole life, and made or marred his
fortunes. Sometimes there seems to be a strong natural tendency to a certain
profession or calling; but, on careful examination, it will usually be found
that this has arisen from some circumstance—perhaps from a single biographical
sketch, which the child has read—making an impression upon him that nothing
could efface; often, again, some tradition or character in the family has
produced it.
It is more than probable that
the subject of this sketch would never have chosen the naval profession had not
his mother been sister of the gallant Lawrence, whose last words were:
"Don’t give up the ship!" It could not be otherwise than that the
gallant character of such a man should make an indelible impression on his
nephew—especially when the story of his battles and heroic death was told by
another, who revered the memory of her dead brother. What to the mother was the
ideal of a noble man would naturally become so to the son; at all events, he
early determined to enter the naval service. It would appear from tradition that
other plans had been formed for him, and attempts made to dissuade him from this
course, but in vain.
He was born in New Brunswick,
N. J., January, 1811, and was sent at an early age to Captain Partridge’s
celebrated military academy, at Middletown, Connecticut. It is related that one
day some of his friends, in attempting to dissuade him from a maritime life,
said: "Why, Charles, you can’t be a sailor, for you don’t know how to
climb." He instantly turned, and, for an answer ascended quickly to the
roof of the house, and descended by the lightning-rod. This practical argument
was conclusive.
On the 1st of November, 1826,
when he was fifteen years old, he was appointed midshipman, and, the next July,
joined the sloop-of-war Warren, and
sailed for the Mediterranean. The eastern portion of the sea at that time
swarmed with Greek pirates, and the vessel in which young Boggs served was very
active in protecting our commerce, and suppressing piracy among the Grecian
islands. So valuable were the services of Captain Kearney, his commander, that
they were spoken of in the British Parliament. At that time, our navy was a sore
subject to the English, and it required a strong motive to wring from them a
compliment to any of our ships.
This was a good school for the
young midshipman. The intricate and narrow channels of those islands furnished
hiding-places for the small Grecian crafts, and hence, there were necessarily
many boat expeditions sent in search of them, which required the utmost
vigilance and calmness to carry out successfully. Young Boggs there learned that
quiet, yet quick, prompt resolution, for which he was afterward so
distinguished. In these dangerous expeditions, and sudden bold dashes, he saw
that perfect self-possession, and the ability to decide on the spur of the
moment what course of action to adopt, was as indispensable to a naval officer,
as the ability to command a ship.
Winding among the beautiful
islands of Greece, and sailing along the classic coast of the Mediterranean, and
visiting the cities and mementoes of ancient greatness, Boggs passed three years
of his life, and, when he returned, was no longer a boy. He now made two cruises
to the West Indies, and, in 1832, passed his examination successfully,
preparatory to his promotion. His duties for the next five years did not differ
from those common to all officers in times of peace.
In 1836, he joined, as master,
the ship of the line North Carolina,
which had been ordered to the Pacific coast. When the vessel arrived at Callao,
he received an appointment as acting lieutenant, and was ordered as executive
officer to the schooner Enterprise,
which appointment was confirmed by his promotion in 1833.
For nearly two years,
Lieutenant Boggs now saw much active service. The little schooner sailed up and
down the coast, from Valparaiso to Lower California, exploring it thoroughly.
In 1839, he returned home in
the North Carolina, and served about a year on board of her in New York
harbor, as lieutenant, in charge of the apprentices. He here exhibited two very
strong traits in his character—mildness and gentleness of manner, and yet
strictness in enforcing discipline. The hand was iron in maintaining order; but
it was so gloved, that none felt its hardness. Perhaps no man could be more free
and easy with his pupils or subordinates, and yet not relax one jot of strict
discipline.
He was highly complimented for
his conduct and management of these boys.
His next cruise was in the Saratoga,
which composed a part of Commodore Perry’s squadron, on the coast of Africa,
and he took an active part in the bombardment and destruction of the Barbary
towns.
When the Mexican war broke
out, he was ordered to the steamer Princeton,
Captain Eagle, and took part in the grand bombardment of the Castle of St. Juan
de Ulloa and of Tampico. The United States brig Truxton, having got aground on the bar of Tuspan River, surrendered
to the Mexicans, and the Princeton was
ordered down to destroy her. Arriving off the wreck, a boat was manned, and
Lieutenant Boggs put in command of it, with orders to destroy the vessel. The
boat, impelled by the strong rowers, swept steadily over the water, and had
nearly reached the Truxton, when a
gale suddenly arose, lashing the sea into fury, and causing it to break with
such violence over the stranded vessel that he found it impossible to board her.
The current setting strongly in shore, together with the increasing gale, also
rendered it impossible to return to the. Princeton. The waves were running high; and Boggs, in spite of his
efforts, was carried towards the shore. As he approached it, he saw a company of
Mexican soldiers drawn up on the beach with a field piece, covering the
approach. This was an unexpected dilemma. He could not force the boat out to
sea, and he knew, before he could land and charge the soldiers, his little crew
would be annihilated. With that quickness of decision which distinguished him,
he immediately ordered the only white shirt on board to be torn up, and fastened
on a boat-hook, and hoisted as a flag of truce. He then told his men to turn,
and pull boldly for shore. Springing on the beach as the bow grazed the sand, he
advanced to the Mexican commander with his strange flag of truce, and told him
he had been sent to destroy the Truxton—that he was carried against his will to the shore, and had
no intention of molesting the town, and that if he was not interfered with, he
would do it no injury. If, on the contrary, the former attempted to prevent him
from carrying out his instructions, the Princeton
would steam in, and open her fire on the place. The Mexican officer, seeing that
discretion was the better part of valor, promised not to attempt any
interference—on the contrary, he entertained him hospitably till the gale
subsided. Boggs then thanked his would-be captor for his civility, and, bidding
him adieu, pushed off to the Truxton,
and soon she was a mass of flames on the water.
The Princeton was soon after ordered to the Mediterranean, and Boggs
visited once more the scenes of his early service. This steamer was a
propeller—the first, ever seen in the Grecian seas—and when she entered the
Piraeus, the captain ordered the smoke-pipe lowered. No smoke being visible, as
she burned anthracite coal, she moved majestically up the bay, without any
apparent means of propulsion, much to the astonishment of the Greeks. Seeing no
steam-pipe, and no wheels, she seemed to them a living thing, endued with a
vitality of her own.
The Italian revolution of 1848
was now in full progress, and during the cruise Boggs saw much of it.
Two years after, we find him
executive officer of the St. Lawrence,
which had been designated by the Government to carry the American contributions
to the World’s Fair in London. On his return, he was appointed First
Lieutenant of the New York Navy Yard, and afterwards Inspector of Clothing and
Provisions in the same yard. In this new field of duty, he showed great
ability—introducing reforms, and putting a stop to many abuses which had crept
into the department.
When the Government made a
contract with the California Steam Company to carry the mails, one condition of
it was that a United States officer should command their passenger boats, and
Boggs was selected to command the Illinois.
This was in 1855. The position was a very responsible one, and the duties
connected with it most arduous. The gold fever was at its height, and the
vessels were crowded with passengers, sometimes a thousand in number; many of
whom were rough, lawless adventurers, requiring the greatest tact and nerve to
keep proper subordination. But no better man could be found than he for that
very duty. He possessed the suatviter in
modo and fortiter in re a in a
remarkable manner, and he succeeded in maintaining order, and acquiring the
esteem and respect of all.
Captain Boggs, with his wife
and daughter, were at Panama during the massacre of 1856, and narrowly escaped
falling victims to it.
He served as commander of the Illinois
for three years, and then was transferred to the coast of California. The
lighthouse system needed extension, and in 1859 and 1860, he was appointed
Inspector of Lights. The steamer Shubrick
was placed under his command, and he was required to make two annual trips along
the coast from Vancouver’s Island to Lower California, inspecting old lights,
and carrying supplies to them, and surveying sites for new ones.
In performing this duty, he
was enabled, at the same time, to complete the exploration of the western coast
of the continent, which he had partially carried out so many years before.
In steaming amid the rocks and
narrow channels of these comparatively unknown shores, he had several narrow
escapes from shipwreck.
He was thus engaged when the
rebellion broke out. Commander Boggs now found himself in an unpleasant
position, and his feelings respecting it, as well as his views of the rebellion,
may be gathered from the following extracts from a letter written at the time to
a friend:
I am heart-sick of the state
of our country—we are in a great state of excitement here. * * * The time has
arrived for every one to define his position—those who are not for the
Government, as it is, should be denounced as traitors, and meet a traitor’s
doom. I shall stick by the flag that I swore, thirty years ago, to protect. I am
disagreeably and peculiarly situated—on special duty—so that I dare not
leave and return East, as my inclinations would prompt; out of funds to carry on
this duty—no special orders to govern me in the peculiar state of the country.
Should a privateer of Jeff. Davis appear on these waters, my force is not able
to meet her, and I have no authority or means to increase my crew, or mount a
heavy gun, without which I should be cut to pieces at long shot, by any thing
that might come along.
I have obtained a very
excellent silver-mounted Mexican saddle, valued at over two hundred and fifty
dollars, bridle, spurs, &c., complete. I wish you would present it to the
most daring and gallant soldier from our little county of Middlesex, N. J., or
from the State, if you learn who distinguishes himself on the side of the
Constitution and the Union. * * *
Give my regards to all who
know me, and say that I am for the Constitution and Union, and down with traitors! I only wish the Government would
order me home. * * *
Thus, from the far-off coast
of California, which was trembling in the balance between the North and South,
came his voice for the Union. No wonder he chafed in the position in which he
found himself—no funds to go on with his peaceful duties—no heart to do it,
if he had. Helpless, if attacked, and no authority to place himself in a state
of defence, he felt pressed down as by a nightmare.
Fortunately his letter to the
Government, begging for active employment afloat, where he could strike, at
least, one good blow for the honor of the flag, and the salvation of his
country, was favorably received, and he was ordered home. Never was an order
more welcome, and it took him but little time to prepare for his departure. On
reaching home, he was placed in command of the Varuna, a passenger steamer, which had been bought by the
Department, and changed into a gunboat, and ordered to join Farragut’s fleet
below New Orleans.
When Farragut had determined
to run past the forts with his fleet and proceed on up to the city, he gave
precise and detailed orders to each of the commanders, and assigned them their
respective positions.
Boggs, who knew what a frail
thing his gunboat was, sought an interview with him and told him that his vessel
would never bear any long pounding from the heavy guns of the fort, which he
would be compelled to endure if he was required to move slowly, and asked
permission to go ahead of his station, which he knew he could do, as the Varuna
was a very fast boat. Farragut good naturedly complied with his request,
provided he would not run down and sink’ any rebel craft in the channel, as
that might obstruct the free passage of the rest of the fleet.
Boggs’ plan was now soon
formed, and on the morning of the advance he moved up the stream, second from
the flagship of his division. Ordinary fuel, he knew, would not get up steam
fast enough, and he had the pork, which formed a part of his ship’s stores,
already prepared to throw into the furnace. At the proper time, it was cast on
to the hissing coals —the fires blazed up, and with a full head of steam on,
he dashed ahead. When abreast of the forts, he fired his starboard battery,
loaded with five-second-shell. "Now!" exclaimed Boggs, "fire with
grape and canister as fast as possible," and the frail boat shot ahead,
wrapped in flame, and was soon above the forts. Looking around him in the early
twilight, he saw that he was in a perfect nest of rebel gunboats, ranged on both
sides of the river. He instantly gave orders to "work both sides, and load
with grape." Cool, and apparently unexcited, the men trained their guns
with such precision, that scarcely a shot failed to hit its mark, while the
forward and aft pivot-guns also kept up their steady fire. The first rebel
vessel that received his fire, seemed crowded with troops. At the first
discharge, her boiler exploded, and she drifted ashore. Three other vessels, in
quick succession, were now driven ashore in flames, and blew up. At this moment,
just as the sun had risen above the horizon, lighting up the strange scene, he
saw a vessel, iron-clad about the bows, bearing down full upon him. As the rebel
vessel approached, she fired a thirty-two-pound rifled gun, which raked the Varuna
terribly, killing and wounding thirteen men. The marines now poured in a galling
fire, which swept the gunners clear of the piece, so that it could not be fired
again. The next moment she struck his vessel in the port gangway, athwart the
mainmast, crushing in her timbers, and causing her to careen over in the water.
Backing off, she again came on, hitting nearly in the same place, staving in:
the side. But Boggs ordered the engineer to go ahead, and the Varuna, pushing up stream, swung the rebel steamer around, leaving
her wooden side exposed. Instantly, Boggs poured in abaft her armor eight-inch
shells. Five in quick succession entered her side, bursting with such
destructive force, that the captain afterwards said they swept his decks of
nearly every living object. "This," said Boggs, "settled her, and
drove her ashore in flames"
The feeble, but gallant Varuna
had hardly recovered from these two staggering blows, when the Stonewall
Jackson, an iron-clad, came full upon her, striking her with a tremendous
crash, and staving in her sides, so that the water poured in torrents into the
vessel. She was also on fire, and there was now no alternative but to run her
ashore, and her bow was headed for the banks. The Oneida, Captain Lee, seeing her condition, rushed to her assistance,
but Boggs, finding that he could do him no good, waved him on toward the Governor
Moore, which, though in flames, kept up a heavy fire, that swept the deck of
the Varuna. Fast settling in the
water, as she struggled towards the shore, her guns kept booming over the bosom
of the Mississippi, until the water was above the trucks —the last shot just
skimming the surface. Captain Bailey saw with pride how the wounded thing
fought, and says: "I saw Boggs bravely fighting, his guns level with the
water, as his vessel gradually sunk underneath, leaving her bow resting on the
shore, and above water." The coolness and foresight of Boggs were
strikingly shown in running his vessel ashore. When he saw her guntrucks under
water, and knew the last shot had been fired, he hastened forward, and ordered a
chain-cable out, and, the moment the bow struck the bank, he had it fastened
round a tree, so that the vessel, as she sunk stern first, might not slide off
into deep water and carry the crew with her. At the same time, the chief
engineer coolly walked up to him, and, touching his hat, reported: "The
engine has stopped working, sir." With him came the gunner, who, with the
same salute, said: "The magazine is closed, sir, and here are the
keys." This shows with what cool deliberation the vessel was fought,—no
hurry, no excitement, though the hostile vessels were all around her, shells
bursting along her decks, ironclad bows beating in her sides, and fire raging
along her decks.
In fifteen minutes after
receiving the last blow, the Varuna
went down, with her guns roaring and her flag proudly flying.
During the action, a boy named
Oscar Peck, only thirteen years old, whose business was to pass ammunition to
the gunners, narrowly escaped death, as one of the enemy’s shells burst along
the deck. Just then, Boggs came upon him, begrimed with powder, and seeing him
running, asked him where he was going in such a hurry. "To get a passing
box, sir," he replied; "the other was smashed by a ball." When
the Varuna went down Boggs missed the
boy, and thought he was among the killed. But a few moments after, he saw the
lad gallantly swimming towards the wreck. Clambering on board, the little fellow
threw his hand up to his forehead, in the usual salute, for his hat was gone,
with the simple exclamation "All right, sir, I report myself on
board!" That boy was worthy to be trained under such a man as Boggs.
Delighted with his gallantry, he said in his report: "I would particularly
recommend to the notice of the Department, Oscar Peck, a second-class boy, and
powder-boy of the after rifles, whose coolness and intrepidity attracted the
attention of all hands. A just reward for such services would be an appointment
at the Naval School."
Boggs was now without a ship,
but in losing it had not lost his honor, but, on the contrary, won immortal
fame, and showed that he was a worthy nephew of the gallant Lawrence, who lost
his life and ship together.
Boggs was now sent by Farragut
to General Butler below, to request him to bring his army up, as the fleet had
passed the forts. Taking the only iron life-boat of the Varuna
which was saved, he passed around the forts by a bayou, and safely delivered his
message.
As a reward for his gallantry
in this unparalleled naval combat, his native town and state both voted him a
sword.
Boggs now came north, and was
ordered first to the Juniata, and afterwards transferred to the Sacramento,
in which vessel he was senior officer of the blockading squadron off Wilmington.
To a man of his enterprise and love of active service, this was a most
disagreeable duty, especially as he had an insufficient squadron, or, at least,
an inefficient one, in the speed and power of the vessels that composed it. The
constant exposure and fatigue attendant on his duties here, at length broke down
his health, and he was reluctantly compelled to resign his command, and return
home to recruit and receive that medical treatment of which he was in pressing
need.
As soon as he was sufficiently
recovered, he was appointed one of Admiral Gregory’s staff, on duty at New
York. Here he was actively engaged in superintending the building and fitting
out of a fleet of steam picket boats of his own planning. One of these, No. 1,
was, by him and Engineer Wood, converted into a torpedo-boat. How well it was
planned and constructed, may be inferred from the fact that it was the one
selected by Lieutenant Cushing to make his memorable attack on the rebel ram
Albemarle, in which that dreaded monster was sent to the bottom.
The iron-clad torpedo-boat, Spuyten
Duyvil, was also fitted out under Captain Boggs’ directions.
After the close of the war,
Boggs was put in command of the squadron ordered to the coast of Maine, to watch
the Fenian movement. On returning from this duty, he was ordered, with his
vessel, the De Soto, to join the West
India squadron, and is now on active duty at that station.
Last summer he was made
Commodore by seniority. Some of the most striking traits in the character of
Commodore Boggs are clearly exhibited in the manner he fought and handled his
vessel in the passage of the Forts below New Orleans. Prompt, fearless, cool,
and self-possessed, dangers cannot daunt him, and no obstacles arrest him. But,
added to these qualities as a commander, he has those of a man, which make him
unusually beloved by those who know him. Gentle, amiable, and indulgent in his
family, he is equally so on ship, in every thing that does not interfere with
the discipline and good order of the vessel. He overlooks many things that one
more of a martinet would notice. Mere technicalities he cares little for, but he
exacts the strictest, most thorough, performance of duty. Like many other strong
men, he needs a great object to develop his real character. To an ordinary
observer, he seems merely good-natured, and inclined to be lazy; but place him
amid the smoke of battle, and he is like the roused lion.
Kind and sympathizing in his
nature, he is very careful of the health and comfort of his men, and they repay
that kindness by affection and supreme devotion.