History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 57

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1054

USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900 > Part 57

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By October 1, 1900, Portsmouth had con- tributed $3.174.62 to the relief fund for Gal- veston, Texas. On October 1, 1900, the corn- er-stone of the Y. M. C. A. Building was laid with Masonic ceremonies. Rev. H. W. Battle

of Petersburg was the orator. On October 9, 1900, Dr. H. F. Butt, a distinguished physi- cian, died. He had been an eminent surgeon in the Confederate Army.

THE YELLOW FEVER

Prevailed in Portsmouth during the months of June, July, August, September and October, 1855.

It was landed at our wharves from the ship "Ben Franklin," Capt. Bynum, which ar- rived here direct from the Island of St. Thom- as, in the West Indies, about the middle of June, and was placed in quarantine by order of the health officer of the port, under sus- picion of being infected. After being detained for some days she was granted permission to proceed to Gosport for the purpose of being overhauled. Here her bilge-water was pumped out and a portion of her ballast was discharged upon the wharf. No apprehensions at her presence were entertained until Sunday, July Sth, when a young man, who had been em- ployed on board her five days previously, de- veloped unmistakable symptoms of yellow fever and died in the afternoon of the same day. The case created intense excitement, and the Town Council, having been convened in extra- ordinary session, ordered the immediate return of the steamer to the quarantine ground.

But the precaution was taken too late. The mischief had been done and the pestilence had gained a firm foothold and spread with fearful rapidity, although the authorities took all possible steps to arrest its progress. A re- lief association was promptly organized to at- tend to the necessities of the sick and suffer- ing, and to superintend the expenditures of the contributions which soon began to pour in liberally from all parts of the country.

The epidemic had seized upon the com- munity when totally unprepared for it, and the citizens were almost paralyzed by panic. All mercantile pursuits and mechanical operations were suspended, the wages of labor stopped and stores closed. The government gave up

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the Naval Hospital for the use of fever pa- tients. and provision stores were opened, whence food and other comforts were issued to those in need.

Physicians, apothecaries and nurses came from distant points to minister to the sick and dying, when the local staff had become cx- hausted with the incessant call upon their ex- ertions, and many of these noble volunteers fell victims to their own self-sacrificing hero- ism. Three of the four successive keepers of the provision store died of the pestilence, as did also Io apothecaries and nurses and 12 physicians, of whom four .- Drs. Parker. Tri- gien, Lovett and Nicholson,-were regular practitioners of the city. Rev. James Chis- holm, rector of St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church; Rev. Francis Devlin, priest in charge of St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, and Rev. Vernon Eskridge, of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. remaining faithful to their holy mission, were constantly to be found at the bed- side of the plague-stricken until themselves at- tacked by the devouring pestilence were called upon to swell the number of its martyr-victims.

Among the other prominent citizens of Portsmouth who succumbed to the yellow fever during this dark, sad season were Capt. George Chambers and Robert T. Scott, members of the Common Council; Dr. William Collins, president of the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad Company, and a host of other good true men and women.

The disease existed here as an epidemic for nearly four months, the last fatal cases oc- curring on the Ioth of November ; during that period nearly 1,000 human beings perished by its ravages.

Thousands of inhabitants had fled from the presence of the plague to seek refuge beyond reach of its fatal breath, but most of the city authorities, following the noble example of the mayor, D. D. Fiske, and true to their own in- stincts of duty and humanity, remained here while the epidemic lasted, and thus rendered an incalculable service to the community.

If this dire calamity can be said to have pos-

sessed any one cheering element, it was surely to be discerned in the spontaneous outpouring of sympathy and generosity which it evoked from every section of the country on behalf of the stricken and bereaved. So liberally had money been subscribed, that, out of the funds remaining in hand, the treasurer was able to appropriate the sum of $25,000 toward the establishment and maintenance of an Orphan Asylum,-an institution which still lives and flourishes,-a fitting monument to the charity and benevolence to which it owes its existence.

The assets of the Asylum now are about $36,000. The first trustees were D. D. Fiske, James G. Holladay, George W. Peete. J. N. Schoolfield, Holt Wilson, W. Watts, Joseph A. Bilisoly, Samuel T. Hartt, Joseph Bourke, John K. Cooke, John L. Porter and Moss W. Armistead. The vacancies in the board are supplied by the remaining trustees. The pres- ent members of the board are E. C. Brooks, president ; Legh R. Watts, vice-president ; George L. Neville, treasurer; William H. Stewart, secretary; E. L. Lash, James H. Toomer, James T. Borum, John T. King. F. D. Gill, Dr. Joseph Grice, John A. Morris and B. F. Howell.

THE GOSPORT IRON WORKS

Only exist in history. They were established between 50 and 60 years ago by A. Mchaffey, a Philadelphia capitalist. It was a very exten- sive establishment. All kinds of iron machin- ery were finished there in the best style; steam engines, from a small size to the largest, most ponderous and powerful. The engines of the U. S. S. "Powhatan" were constructed there. Castings of every description, in iron, brass, copper and lead were moulded at these works. They kept from two to three hundred men constantly employed.

THE UNITED STATES NAVAL HOSPITAL,

Just in the rear of the site of old Fort Nelson.

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was commenced in the year 1829. It is a very large and exceedingly commodious and hand- some granite building, finely adapted to the important purpose for which it is intended. During all the wars since its completion it has been a home for the sick and wounded. The location was well chosen, being healthful, re- | tired and convenient. This massive structure is a splendid ornament to the harbor, and presents its beautiful and lofty front for the admiration of the visitor on coming up the river. The strictest order and discipline are observed at the establishment, and its constant utility at this great naval station is obvious.

PORTSMOUTH'S PATRIOTISM AND PATRIOTS.

The town of Portsmouth was the scene of many thrilling and heroic actions during the first wars in our country.

In the Revolution after the departure of Dunmore the American patriots occupied the town and they were active in building ships for the navy and strengthening the fortifica- tions. Col. Chiarles Harrison was for some time in command of the Continental forces.

In October, 1780, Brigadier-General Les- lie, with about 3.000 troops from New York, | landed at Portsmouth, and took possession of the ships and other property belonging to the government. After a brief sojourn he sailed for Charleston, and shortly afterward joined Lord Cornwallis.

Brig .- Gen. Benedict Arnold with 2,000 men disembarked at Portsmouth on January 2, 1781, made a pillaging expedition as far as Richmond, returned to Portsmouth and fixed headquarters there. Virginia at that time was poorly prepared to resist invasion; but all the available forces were rallied to oppose the incursions of this detested enemy. It was planned to capture him by strategy, as had been tried at the North; but he kept his person so closely guarded that no opportunity was given those commissioned for the enterprise to carry out the plans. Afterward, however, there was an opportunity to capture Arnold and his

whole force, which was lost on account of the failure of the commander of the French squad- ron to cooperate with the land forces. Colonel Parker with the Suffolk militia was advanced to Cowper's Mills, the nearest post to Ports- mouth ; General Lawson with Soo militia was stationed at Mckay's Mills some miles in Parker's rear and General Muhlenberg with 800 infantry, consisting of Colonel Fleming's and Col. Merriweather's regiments, and Colonel Armand's legion of cavalry, took post at Cabin Point, from which place he could support all the advanced force. On the north of the James, General Nelson with 1,000 militia and some volunteer cavalry were stationed at Will- iamsburg with orders to guard the shore thence to Newport News. This was to keep Arnold close in his intrenchments at Portsmouth to prevent depredations for he was getting short of provisions, which made it necessary for him to forage on the country. About this time M. de Tilley, commanding a section of the French squadron, entered Hampton Roads and cap- tured a British frigate and some small vessels. Previously the American general had made every endeavor to draw Arnold from his in- trenchments for a fight in the open field : he had driven in and captured some of his pickets and held a position within a mile and a half from Portsmouth, but he feared with his small force to risk an assault upon the breastworks. The North West Landing, which had been guarded by General Gregory, was reinforced by Col. Everade Meade's regiment. So the Americans were sure of forcing the surrender of Arnold for need of rations for his troops, if de Tilley would only maintain the blockade of the Eliza- beth for a week or maybe less. Notwith- standing urgent requests, he sailed away on the 20th of February, 1781, alleging that the shal- lowness of the Elizabeth River was too danger- ous for his vessels. Thus Arnold's force was released from peril.

Lord Cornwallis was also at Portsmouth, just previous to his fatal expedition to York- town.

These invasions caused great distress and

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suffering amongst the people; but they with- stood all with the nerves of heroes.

When the British fleet attacked Craney Ist- and in June, 1813. the Portsmouth soldiers be- haved with great gallantry and did most ef- fective work in repelling the attacks of the enemy.

Capt. Arthur Emmerson of the Portsmouth Artillery sighted and fired the shot that sunk the "Centipede," which decided the fate of the day in favor of the Americans.

THE CONFEDERATE CAUSE.

The noble and heroic part which her citi- zens tock in the war between the sections is a crown on her brow of imperishable beauty.

It is claimed with much reason and just pride that in proportion to the number of her inhabitants Portsmouth contributed a larger quota of sokliers, armed and equipped, to the Confederacy than any other Southern city. Many sacrificed their lives and all their for- tunes to the glorious cause. Those who re- turned have devoted the remainder of their days to industrial pursuits, which has given the city its present prosperity.

In the very beginning the corporate author- ities with chivalric devotion used every means available to aid the Confederate cause.

The era of American chivalry is enshrined in the heroic traditions of the Confederacy. In the girlhood, in the womanhood, in the boy- hoed. or in the manhood of its people; in the rank and file of its army. in its homes. in its sanctuaries, patriotism absorbed the hopes of all with beautiful self-forgetfulness; and the remembrance of heroic actions and knightly deeds is written in the hearts of its sons and daughters, so that although the States increase and the boundaries of the Union expand to the limits of the undiscovered North and South seas, and their offspring scatter over the face of continents. these will be sparkling jewels in the dust of time, which will teach their hearts to love their ancestors of the Southern Con- federacy.

An agricultural people, armed with the noblest impulses of honor and chivalry, but without the appliances to equip and maintain an army in the field, were converted into sol- diers, almost like magic, to defend their homes and firesides. No looms to weave the cloth- no furnaces to mold the cannon-no plants to make the muskets-no outputs of lead for shot-no manufactories for powder in all this fair Southland, which produced the cotton for the world ; and yet, from beginning to end, the most powerful nations of Europe gave their re- sources of wealth, manufacture and men to conquer the Confederate States of America. If Europe had enforced strict neutrality; and kept her hireling soldiers at home, the furled flag of the Confederacy would today be the flying emblem of a living nation.

The magnitude of the intersectional war is almost incomprehensible, and the odds in sol- diers against our Confederacy were so tre- mendous that we marvel how its armies held out for four years.

The total enrollment of our army and navy. including all classes, was about 600,000 men. out of a population of 5,000,000 whites.

The calculations for the United States Sanitary Commission, in regard to nativity. gave half a million of foreigners in the Union armies, of whom 187.858 were Germans and 144,221 were Irish.

The total enrollment of the Union armies. not including three and six months' men, was 2.864.272. or 2.264,272 more men than were on our side.

Three hundred and ninety-five thousand two hundred and forty-five Union soldiers were killed, mortally wounded and severely wounded, and their total deaths from wounds, disease and killed were 469.298.

Such figures are eloquent and powerful testimonials of the tenacity. courage and heroism of the Confederate armies.

At a called meeting of the Council of the city of Portsmouth, on Thursday evening. April 18, 1861. George W. Grice, the mayor of the city, stated that he had just returned

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from the city of Richmond and had learned that the volunteers would be called into camp some time the following week, and that it was necessary to make preparations for defense and suggested the purchase of rifles and buck- shot. Thereupon, on motion of Mr. Morris, it was "Resolved, That the city appropriate the sum of $1.500 to purchase arms and ain- munition for the defense of the city."

A committee composed of George W. Grice, William H. H. Hodges and William H. Morris, styled the "Military Committee," was appointed, to make purchases of arms and anı- munition.

At a meeting on June 15, 1861. $1.000 was appropriated for the relief of the families of soldiers of the city who were absent in various camps.

On July 17. 1861. $500 was appropriated to aid the Portsmouth Light Artillery in pro- curing side-arms.

On August 14. 1861, Revs. Handy. Plunk- ett, Peterson and Taylor appeared before the board, reporting that the supply of provisions at the "Relief Store" was exhausted and that the families of the soldiers in number about 400, were in extreme necessity and unless the Council made monthly appropriations of from $1,500 to $1,800 great suffering must ensue ; whereupon the Council appropriated $1,000 for support of the families of soldiers in ser- vice.

The captains of several companies com- plained of discrimination in favor of the Ports- mouth Rifles and the Portsmouth Light Ar- tillery to which the Council replied * * * "That the reasons influencing the Coun- cil to appropriate separate amounts" were that these "two companies were not pro- vided with suitable warlike weapons to de- fend themselves in the event of an en- gagement with the enemy. The Rifles be- ing armed with the ordinary rifle without bayonet attachment, and the Artillery being without the necessary side-arms and it being believed that these were indispensably neces- sary to their personal safety and their success

in battle, appropriations of $500 were made for each company to be applied exclusively to the purchase of the requisite arms."

On the 17th of December, 1861, the Coun- cil received a communication from the Coun- cils of Norfolk requesting joint action with the military authorities in adding to the de- fenses of the harbor, and a committee of seven was appointed to confer with the Councils of Norfolk and the military authorities on the next day, as follows: George M. Bain. Jr., William G. Webb, John Nash, George L. Ne- ville, John S. Stubbs, James T. Borum and John C. Neville.

On March 4, 1862, the relief committee reported having issued for the month of Jan- uary 206 orders for relief of soldiers' families, amounting to $1,030.

On May 4, 1862, the Council appointed Hon. Samuel Watts to proceed to Richmond and present views to the authorities against the evacuation of this post.

On June 10, 1862, the committee, appointed to report the circumstances of the Confederate evacuation, reported among other things that no official notice was given the civil authori- ties by the major-general commanding the military department, or by the brigadier-gen- eral, commanding the forces around the city, of the evacuation on the 10th of May, but that Capt. S. S. Lee, commanding the Gosport Navy Yard, did confer with the civil authori- ties concerning the burning and destruction of the Navy Yard and rendered every facility he could by allowing the Fire Department the use of the engines and hose of the Navy Yard to protect the city against any danger that might be incurred from the burning. Through- out the day the city was in the utmost con- fusion demanding unremitting attention in various places. The large quantity of powder which had been left in the railroad depot was thrown overboard. The commissary stores were turned over to the mayor to be dis- tributed among the poor, and some stores which had been seized by irresponsible and un- deserving persons were recovered.

NORFOLK COUNTY COURT HOUSE, PORTSMOUTH, VA.

CITY HALL AND U. S. POST OFFICE, PORTSMOUTHI, VA.

HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING, PORTSMOUTH, VA.

TRINITY PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH, PORTSMOUTH, VA. (The first church erected, in 1762.)

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The evacuation by the Confederates was completed about 5 o'clock P. M. and the oc- cupation by the United States troops about 9 o'clock P. M., May 10, 1862.

The Military Governor. General Viele. on the 23d of June, 1862, suspended the civil functions of the authorities of the city and in an interview with the president of the Council, George M. Bain, Jr .. suggested a revocation of the order provided the Council would take the cath to support the Constitution and laws of the United States. The Council refused po- litely but in no uncertain terms: "It would invoke no moral turpitude to swear allegiance to the principles embodied in the Federal Con- stitution. * But to swear uncon- * ditional submission to those who admin- ister, and the means and measures of ad- ministration, would be obnoxious and a con- tradiction in terms. For the latter are at sundry points in conflict with the former. Whatever may have been the origin of the war, it is manifest that the end to which it is pro- gressing is the obliteration of all the rights reserved to the States, a more consolidated and stronger government. and the emancipation of the blacks. Martial law, for which no con- stitutional authority can be found, has already effected much in this direction wherever the Federal arms are triumphant. The policy adopted in reference to slaves, sweeps away all the promised protection of the Federal Consti- tution. In a word "Military Necessity' over- rides the Constitution by 'Martial lawe' and the sword alone is its expounder."

The last meeting of the Council after the overthrow of civil authority by the military was held in the office of Dr. John Linn AApril 27, 1863: Present, George M. Bain. Jr .. presi- cent : John Linn. J. Il. Porter. M. W. Armis- stead. James T. Borum, A. Simmons and J. C. Neville.

The alms-house committee reported relief of 491 families, that want and distress were on the increase and unless more relief was afforded starvation must ensue.

June 2. 1862,-"The first regular meeting 23

of the City Council under the Restored Gov- ernment of Virgina, organized at Wheeling on the 11th day of June, 1861, was hekl under above date," Rev. John S. Briggs, president.

On June 22. 1863. Daniel Collins, so called mayor under this usurped government, sent a scandalous and scurrilous message to the usurpers. libelling the true and patriotic men who had governed the city by virtue of the voice of its true people. The committee ap- pointed "to investigate the issue of Portsmouth City Notes" made a scandalous report im- peaching the integrity and honor of the form- er councilnen in submitting their resolution of repudiation. Then the evil days were upon the people of Portsmouth. The vampires were sucking her blood and vilifying her good name.

In the Virginia Senate. March 8, 1863, Hon. George W. Grice offered the following, which was unanimously adopted :

"Whereas, the General Assembly of Vir- ginia have learned that the Rev. George M. Bain, cashier of the Portsmouth Savings Bank Society, and William H. H. Hodges, cashier of the Merchants' & Mechanics' Savings Bank. citizens of Portsmouth, Virginia. the first named being over 60 years of age. and the other a cripple, have been arrested and sen- tenced to hard labor at Hatteras, North Caro- lina. by order of Major-General Butler, or some other officer of the Federal government for alleged fraudulent disposal of the funds of- their banks; and that the Rev. John H. D. Wingfield, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church. Portsmouth, had been put to hard labor on the public streets of that city. with a ball and chain to his leg, because he refused to renounce allegiance to his native State; therefore.

"Be it enacted by the General Assembly. That the Governor of the Commonwealth be and he is hereby requested to invite the at- tention of the Confederate Government to the arrest and sentence of these three worthy citi- zens of this State and to respectfully ask that the facts may be investigated, and if found as stated and believed, that three citizens of the-

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Federal States (if there be any such in the hands of the Confederate authorities) he held at hard labor as hostages for these three citi- zens of Virginia; and if none, that three Fed- eral officers be placed at hard labor, one with ball and chain on the public streets, and held as hostages for Messrs. Hodges, Bain and Wingfield."

THE PORTSMOUTH FIRE DEPARTMENT.

The Chambers Hook and Ladder Company was organized on the 12th of May, 1858, with W. B. Hunter as foreman ; after serving a few months he resigned and Charles Jordan was elected. The latter served until the beginning of the war, when the company was disorgan- ized owing to the enlistment of most of the members in the Confederate Army. The truck and ladder was housed in a shed adjoining the Ocean House and remained there until 1866. The company reorganized in the hall of the In- dependent Fire Company on the 12th of May, 1866, with 35 men.

Samuel Cuthriell was elected foreman ; William H. Morris, Jr., Ist assistant ; John W. H. Porter, 2nd assistant ; W. A. Fiske, record- ing secretary: W. L. Foreman, assistant secre- tary; E. Jordan, treasurer.

In January, 1870, Capt. Samuel Cuthriell resigned and at the February meeting George O'N. Palmer was elected foreman. This meeting authorized the purchase of a steam fire engine and hose carriage.

Captain Palmer contracted with the Amos- keag Steam Fire Engine Company of Man- chester, New Hampshire, to build the engine at a cost of $4.500. He purchased the hose carriage for $1,500. The steam fire engine "George O'N. Palmer," arrived in the city in April, 1870, and was probably the hand- somest engine in the State at that time. The engine was pulled to all fires by hand until Capt. John M. Robinson, president of the Sea- board & Roanake Railroad Company, pre- sented the company with a pair of horses and harness. It will be observed that the company

was an independent volunteer fire company and owned its apparatus. The name of the com- pany was changed to Chambers Steam Fire Engine Company No. 2, and the officers were : George O'N. Palmer, foreman; William H. Morris, Jr., Ist assistant ; W. T. Robinson, 2nd assistant ; John O'Connor, recording secretary ; G. L. Foreman, financial secretary ; F. Durr, treasurer.

In August, 1871, the company with 114 uniformed men visited Richmond and in a con- test with the "brag" engine of that city threw water 20 feet farther. In 1876, the company visited Philadelphia and joined in the grand parade of the Centennial. In 1882 it again went to Philadelphia to attend the Bi-Centen- nial.

The Chambers company organized the State Firemen's Association at Portsmouth in 1886, which adjourned to meet in Richmond in June, 1887. . The company was presented with a silver service by the city of Norfolk. consisting of a balanced ice pitcher, salver, and two goblets gold-lined inscribed :

Presented to the Chambers Steam Fire Engine Company. No. 2. of Portsmouth, Va., by the Councils of the City of Norfolk, Va., in grateful remembrance of service in subduing the disastrons fires which oc- cnrred in Norfolk the 25th and 26th of July, 1873.

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History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 57

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912 Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1054

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1054