Chapter 56

About the year 1856, I formed the design and commenced the work of a steamship for the purpose of demonstrating that individual enterprise could, without the aid of governmental encouragement, place upon the ocean steamships equal at least in magnitude, power and speed, to any which had been constructed under governmental patronage and protection in any part of the world. An expenditure of about one million of dollars produced the steamship "Vanderbilt," which carried the flag of our country across the sea in a lesser space of time than any national banner had been hitherto borne.

On the 16th of March, 1862, I received at my residence in this city a letter from the War Department enquiring if I would undertake to prevent the Confederate steamer "Merrimac" from coming out of the harbor of Norfolk, and urging my immediate attention, as the danger was most imminent and "there was no time to be lost." I answered by telegraph that I would go to Washington the next day. On the morning of the 17th of March I called at the War Department, where I saw for the first time Mr. Stanton, the Secretary of War. He requested me to accompany him to the executive mansion, where I was introduced to Mr. Lincoln, to whom I was then personally a stranger. The President asked me if I thought I could, with the aid of my steamships, do anything to prevent the "Merrimac" from getting out of Hampton Roads. I replied to him that it was my opinion that if the steamship "Vanderbilt" was there properly manned, the "Merrimac" would not venture to come out, or if she did, the chances were ten to one that the "Vanderbilt" would sink and destroy her. Mr. Lincoln asked me to name the sum of money for which I would undertake the service; I replied to him that nothing would induce me to become a speculator upon the necessities of the government, and that I would not mention a sum as the value of her charter, but that I would make a gift of her to the government for the service proposed. The President replied, "I accept her." I left him promising that the "Vanderbilt" should be at Fortress Monroe properly equipped and officered under my direction within three or four days at the farthest, and she was there within the time. The requisite instrument of transfer was subsequently executed by me and transmitted to the War Department.

The resolution of Congress of which you have informed me truly states that I have in no manner sought requital for the gift, and the recognition of it, which in the discharge of your official duty you have given me, was altogether unsolicited. I shall proudly preserve the splendid token of appreciation which you have transmitted to me, and it is my hope that those who come after me, as they read the inscriptions of the medal and are reminded of the event in their father's life which caused it to be struck, will inflexibly resolve that should our Government be again imperilled, no pecuniary sacrifice is too large to make in its behalf, and no inducement sufficiently great to attempt to profit by its necessities.

I am, Sir, your very obedient servant, C. VANDERBILT.

No. 75. (p. 410) PLATE LXXV.

_April 16, 1865--March 4, 1869._

Andrew Johnson, President of the United States 1865. [Rx]. Peace.

PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON.

[_Seventeenth President of the United States of America._]

ANDREW JOHNSON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 1865. Undraped bust of President Johnson, facing the right PAQUET, F. (_fecit_).

America is giving her hand to an Indian chief, before a mausoleum, upon which, in a crown of laurel, is the word PEACE. The mausoleum is surmounted by a small undraped bust of Washington, facing the right; to the left, at the feet of the Indian, are the attributes of savage life, and behind him a buffalo hunt; to the right, at the feet of America, are the emblems of civilization, and behind her a railway train. PAQUET. F. (_fecit_).

ANDREW JOHNSON was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, December 29, 1808. He settled in Greenville, Tennessee, 1826; was a member of the State Legislature, 1835 and 1839; State senator, 1841; member of Congress, 1843-1853; governor of Tennessee, 1853-1857; and United States senator, 1857-1863. He remained true to the Union when his State seceded, and was appointed military-governor of Tennessee, 1864; became vice-president of the United States, March 4, 1865; President, after the assassination of President Lincoln, April 16, 1865-1869. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Senate of the United States in 1870, and for Congress in 1871; but was elected to the Senate in 1875. He died July 31, 1875, near Elizabethtown, Carter County, Tennessee.

No. 76. (p. 411) PLATE LXXVI.

_December, 1853._

By Joint resolution of Congress to the rescuers of the passengers officers and men of steamship San Francisco, etc. [Rx]. July 26 1866.

WRECK OF THE STEAMSHIP SAN FRANCISCO.

[_Testimonial of National Gratitude._]

BY JOINT RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS TO THE RESCUERS OF THE PASSENGERS OFFICERS AND MEN OF STEAMSHIP SAN FRANCISCO WRECKED DEC. (_December_) 1853. TESTIMONIAL OF NATIONAL GRATITUDE FOR HIS GALLANT CONDUCT. America, personified as a female, seated, and with the eagle, fasces, and shield at her left, crowns with a wreath of laurel a sailor, who is kneeling before her; to the right, the United States capitol; to the left, a ship at anchor. PAQUET. F. (_fecit_).

Thirty-nine stars; a man and a woman on a raft at sea; a ship coming to their rescue. On the raft, PAQUET. F. (_fecit_). Exergue: JULY 26 1866--An anchor and a branch of laurel.[120]

[Footnote 120: See INTRODUCTION, page ix.]

As this medal was not voted by Congress until 1866, it is placed here according to the chronological order adopted.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. (p. 412)

_Resolutions of Congress Voting Medals to Captains Creighton, Low, and Stouffer._

_Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled_: SECTION 1. That the President of the United States be requested to procure three valuable gold medals with suitable devices, one to be presented to Captain Creighton, of the ship Three Bells, of Glasgow; one to Captain Low, of the bark Kilby, of Boston; and one to Captain Stouffer, of the ship Antar(c)tic, as testimonials of national gratitude for their gallant conduct in rescuing about five hundred Americans from the wreck of the steamship San Francisco; and that the cost of the same be paid for out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.

SECTION 2. _And be it further resolved_, That the sum of seven thousand five hundred dollars each is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the above named captains respectively, as a reward of their humanity and heroism in the rescue of the survivors of the said wreck, and in case either of the said captains may have died, then the amount hereby appropriated shall be paid to the widow of said deceased captain respectively; if no widow surviving, then to the respective child or children of such deceased captain; and in the event of there being no child or children of said deceased captain surviving, then the amount hereby appropriated shall be paid first, to the father, or if the father be not living, then to the mother of such deceased captain respectively.

SECTION 3. _And be it further resolved_, That there shall be paid to each mate of the three above-named vessels the sum of five hundred dollars, and to each man and boy the sum of one hundred dollars, and in case of the death of the respective mate or mates, or men or boys, that the said respective sums shall be paid in the same way and under the same conditions as the payment is to be made in case of the death of the respective captains.

Approved July 26th, 1866.

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_Major Wyse to the Adjutant-General of the Army._

To Fort Wood COLONEL S. COOPER, New York Harbor, January 14th, 1854. Adjutant-General, Washington, D. C.

Colonel: I have the honor to enclose the above[121] informal report, for the information of the proper authorities, with the following remark: We were wrecked about 7 A.M. of the 24th of December, 1853 (Saturday), the sea sweeping overboard Brevet Colonel Washington, Brevet Major Taylor, Brevet Captain Field, Lieutenant Smith, and about 120 men. We were much disabled and leaking a great deal, mostly under our guards, which were (p. 413) all broken up. On the 28th of December, 1853, we put on board the bark Kilby, bound for Boston, Colonel Gates, Major Merchant, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Burke, Doctors Saterlee and Wirtz, Captain Judd, Captain Gardner, Lieutenant Fremont, Lieutenant Loeser and Lieutenant Van Voast, with all the ladies and their children, and about fifty men. Lieutenants William A. Winder, Charles Winder, J. G. Chandler and myself, with the rest of the men remained on board the wreck.

I continued the disembarkation until about 8 P.M. the same day, when the weather forced us to stop, and that night we parted with the bark in a gale. On Friday night, the 30th of December, 1853, we fell in with the English ship "Three Bells," Captain Creighton, who after finding our condition stuck by us _most nobly_, until the sea calmed sufficiently to take our men off, which was on Tuesday morning the 3d of January, 1854. At this time the ship "Antarctic" of Liverpool came to our relief and also commenced taking off our men. We continued this disembarkation throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, and on Wednesday evening, about 6 P.M., having removed every man, woman and child of my command, I embarked myself on board the "Three Bells." The commander of the San Francisco, Captain Watkins, with his officers and crew, remained on the wreck that night, and left the next morning about 10 A.M., after which we parted with the wreck, the ship "Antarctic" steaming for Liverpool, and our ship the "Three Bells" for New York, where I have the happiness to inform you we arrived last evening. Words cannot express the gratitude we owe to Captain Creighton for laying by us so faithfully during so many stormy days, his ship disabled in the storm which wrecked us, and leaking at the rate of four inches per hour, and to whom I trust our government may make some suitable testimonial. Our own captain also behaved throughout the whole trouble with the most untiring courage, energy and perseverance. Both of our surgeons being on the bark Kilby, I don't know what we should have done had it not been for the accidental presence of Doctor Buell, a citizen physician, who labored incessantly night and day to alleviate the sufferings of our numerous sick, who were dying hourly with the cholera, and to make things still worse the small pox made its appearance on board. All our hospital stores were swept overboard the morning of the wreck, with the exception of two or three boxes of brandy and wine, and a little opium.

I feel that I would be doing injustice to Lieutenants Charles S. Winder, James Van Voast, and J. G. Chandler, did I not recommend them to the favorable notice of the President, for their untiring and noble exertions, night and day for ten successive days, in keeping the ship clear of water, and mingling among the sick and desponding men, to minister to their wants and cheer them up with hope. The other officer with me, Lieutenant Wm. A. Winder, was sick nearly all the time and that prevented him from rendering the services which otherwise he would have done. I am also happy to say that under the most trying circumstances, my non-commissioned officers and men behaved well.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. O. WYSE, _Captain and Brevet Major 3d Artillery_, _commanding_.

[Footnote 121: See ENCLOSURE, page 414.]

[_Enclosure._] (p. 414)

CONSOLIDATED MORNING REPORT OF COMPANIES A, B, D, G, H, I, K AND L, OF THE 3D ARTILLERY.

Stationed at Fort Wood, New York Harbor, January 14, 1854.

====================================================================== Number of ||Letters Companies. || of Companies. || | || |Present || |for Duty. || | | || | |Present Sick. || | | | || | | |Absent. || | | | | || | | | |Absent Sick. || | | | | | || | | | | |Dead. || | | | | | | || | | | | | |Total Present. || | | | | | | | || | | | | | | |Total Present || | | | | | | |Absent, and || | | | | | | |Dead. || | | | | | | | | || | | | | | | | |Commissioned || | | | | | | | |Officers || | | | | | | | |Present. || | | | | | | | | ||Aggregate. || | | | | | | | | || || -----------||----------------------------------------||----|| Field and || | | | 1 | | | | | || || Staff || | | | | | | | | || || Regimental || | 7 | 1 | 7 | | 7 | 8 | 22 | || 22 || Band || | | | | | | | | || || 1 || A | 17 | 1 | 24 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 54 | || 54 || 2 || B | 12 | 2 | 20 | 3 | 31 | 14 | 68 | || 68 || 3 || D | 21 | 4 | 21 | 3 | 7 | 25 | 56 | 1 || 57 || 4 || G | 14 | | 23 | 3 | 15 | 14 | 55 | 1 || 56 || 5 || H | 11 | 1 | 25 | 1 | 13 | 12 | 51 | || 51 || 6 || I | 10 | 1 | 31 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 46 | || 46 || 7 || K | 12 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 36 | 13 | 57 | || 57 || 8 || L | 16 | 1 | 16 | | 41 | 17 | 74 | || 74 || -----------------------------------------------------||----|| Total || |120 |12 |174 |18 |160 |132 |483 | 2 ||485 || =============================================================

Number of Companies. REMARKS.

Field and Staff: Lieutenant C. Winder and Sergeant Major Gorham embarked for Liverpool.

Regimental Band: 7 embarked for Liverpool.

1: 2 embarked on board the bark Kilby for Boston, and 26 for Liverpool.

2: 23 embarked for Liverpool.

3: 9 embarked for Boston, and 15 for Liverpool.

4: 2 privates embarked on board the bark Kilby for Boston, and 21 for Liverpool.

5: 24 embarked for Liverpool, and 2 for Boston.

6: 29 embarked for Boston, and 4 for Liverpool.

7: 1 private embarked on board the bark Kilby for Boston, and 7 for Liverpool.

8: 16 embarked for Liverpool.

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_Colonel Gates to the Adjutant-General of the Army._ (p. 415)

To Headquarters, 30 Artillery, COLONEL S. COOPER, New York City, Jan. 16, 1854. Adjutant-General, Washington, D. C.

Colonel: I have the honor to report my arrival in this city, with a remnant of my regiment.

As you are already aware I embarked on the 22d of December last, with eight companies of my regiment, on the steamship San Francisco for California. On the 24th December, when about three hundred miles from New York, the engine of the ship gave way, and in a few hours a heavy sea boarded her, carrying away the entire upper cabin, and with it four officers and about two hundred enlisted men, the wife of Major Taylor, my eldest son, and a number of citizen passengers.

Every exertion was now made by both officers and men to assist the crew in keeping the ship afloat; by clearing her of water and throwing overboard freight.

A constant succession of gales continued for four days, rendering it almost certain (to human foresight) that she must go down. But by the merciful goodness of God we were preserved, and I am happy to inform you that all the survivors have been taken from the wreck and are now in this harbor, and on the ship "Antarctic" for Liverpool, except eighteen men that volunteered to remain, and help work the old bark Kilby into port.

On the 27th of December the bark Kilby of Boston hove in sight, and her noble commander, Captain Low, said he would lay by us until the sea would permit him to remove us on board his vessel. On the 28th, the sea having in a measure become quiet, he came alongside, sent his boats and removed all the ladies, children, passengers (citizens), a number of officers, and about fifty soldiers, when suddenly a squall of wind separated the two vessels, parting the hawser by which they were attached, and continued to blow all night a violent gale. This squall came on so suddenly that my quarter-master and acting adjutant, 1st Lieutenant Fremont, who came on board the bark for a few hours to urge the sailors on to renewed exertions, and offer them large inducements to work the boats all night, was left on the bark unable to get back.

Brevet Major Wyse, the senior officer, undisabled, was, by my orders, detailed to superintend the transfer of troops, and was thus left in command of those remaining on the wreck. For two days and nights the gale continued, and though we tried constantly to regain the wreck, it was found impossible to do so, with the old bark in her crippled condition, and as we were put on an allowance of bread and water, it was finally resolved to make if possible an American port.

We drifted before the wind for fifteen days, and were at last, after living on parched corn five days, taken off by the packet ship Lucy Thompson, of this port, Captain Pendleton, a noble hearted sailor.

I cannot close this brief report without expressing my high admiration of the noble conduct of every undisabled officer, and most of the men. Brevet Major Wyse, Captain Judd, my only staff officer (quartermaster and acting adjutant), 1st Lieutenant Fremont, who, in addition to his own duties, served at the (p. 416) pumps, 1st Lieutenant Loeser, acting Commissary, 1st Lieutenant W. A. Winder, 2d Lieutenants C. S. Winder, Van Voast, and Chandler.

These officers, some of them though slightly disabled, never faltered in their duty, working day and night at the pumps and elsewhere, and I would specially notice the three 2d lieutenants who, being unencumbered with the cares of family, labored unremittingly, and deserve the highest praise.

My regiment is broken up and disorganized, and it will be many months before it can take the field successfully. We were all anxious to reach California; our "all" was embarked in the expedition, and by the providence of God it has been swept away, and we are now penniless and destitute. We claim that our tour of duty in California has been performed, by every military principle, we have suffered more in the last three weeks than we could, ordinarily, during a five-year tour in California. "We have marched off parade," sought our destination, and been crushed, cruelly crushed, and we now ask that due consideration be shown us.

I further request that the officers of companies "B" and "L" now under orders for California be directed to report to me in this city for duty, with the remnants of those companies.

The officers lost are Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Washington, Brevet Major George Taylor, Brevet Captain H. B. Field, and 1st Lieutenant R. H. Smith.

As soon as possible a detailed report with a return of the survivors will be made to you.

The troops taken off by the "Kilby" and "Three Bells" are at Bedloe's Island.

I am, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, William GATES, _Colonel commanding_.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

_Acts of Congress Voting Eight Months' Pay to Lieutenant Francis Key Murray and others._

_Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled_: That there shall be paid, under the direction of the President, to each of the officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates, who, on the twenty-first day of December, eighteen hundred and fifty-three, embarked at New York, under orders to California, on the steamship San Francisco, and who was on board the vessel on the occasion of her recent disaster at sea, and to Lieutenant Francis Key Murray, and any other officer or seaman of the United States Navy, who was on board the said steamship, under orders, a sum equal in amount to his pay and allowance for eight months.

SECTION 2. _And be it further enacted_, That if any such (p. 417) officer, non-commissioned officer, musician or private, shall have died before receiving such payment, from any cause consequent upon said disaster, his widow, if one survive him, and if not, then his minor children, if any there be, shall be paid a sum equal in amount to six months' pay, and allowances of the deceased; and that the widows and minor children of those officers, non-commissioned officers and privates, who perished by this disaster, or who died from disease in consequence thereof, shall be allowed pensions in the same manner in all respects as if the said officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates had been killed in battle.

Approved March 27th, 1854.

SECTION 3. _And be it further enacted_, That the amount which it may be found necessary to pay under the act of twenty-seventh March, eighteen hundred and fifty-four, to the widows and orphans of United States troops, who perished by the recent disaster to the steamship San Francisco, be paid out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.

Approved August 5th, 1854.

No. 77. (p. 418) PLATE LXXVII.

_1866._

Honor and fame are the reward. [Rx]. By resolution of the Congress of the United States. March 2, 1867. to Cyrus W. Field, of New York, etc.

CYRUS WEST FIELD.

[_Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable._]