The Federal Heroes of Fort Henry.
From the New York
Herald we extract the following:
Is a native of
Connecticut, of which State he is a citizen, and from which State he was appointed to the Navy of the
United States.--He is a son of
Senator Foote, of
Connecticut, to whom Daniel Webster replied, in the Senate, with one of his famous speeches.
He entered the
United States service on the 4th of December, 1822, and has consequently served the country nearly forty years. At the breaking out of the present troubles he was in command of the
Navy-Yard at
Brooklyn, and shortly after the commencement of hostilities was promoted to a captaincy, with the charge of the
Western or
Mississippi flotilla, of which he is the
Commodore or
Flag Officer.
While engaged in his duties he is reported as having worked night and day with a zeal and energy that are worthy of emulation in both branches of the service, and has accomplished an almost herculean task.
He is a quiet, gray-haired veteran, and, although holding a rank equal to
Major General of the land forces, attained by a life a service on the broad seas under the old flag, has been quietly and unostentatiously serving his country at the junction of the
Ohio and the
Mississippi.
His present expedition has been carried out with spirit and energy, and the result is gratifying to the nation.
Commander Wm. D. Porter is a son of the noted
Commodore David Porter, of the
Essex, of Revolutionary fame, and has been in the service of the
United States nearly forty years. He was born in
Louisiana, but was appointed to the navy from the
State of Massachusetts.
He is a citizen of the District of Columbia.
He entered the navy on the 1st of January, 1823, and, although not rising rapidly in rank, the fault arose more from the system with which the service is conducted than from any personal demerit of that officer.
He was for over twenty years unemployed, and was last at sea in October, 1850. At the commencement of the year 1861, he was in command of the sloop
St. Marys, and when the rebellion broke out his memorable letter to the
Government, defending his character against the charge of disloyalty, will not soon be forgotten; but, with similar instances will be recorded in the pages of history.
Commander Roger N. Stembel is a native of
Maryland, but is a citizen of
Ohio, from which State he was appointed to the navy.
He entered the service on the 27th of March, 1832, and has, therefore, served the
U. States nearly 30 years. He was promoted to a Lieutenancy on the 26th of October, 1843. Under that commission he was eight years at sea — his total sea service being sixteen years and nine months. He was for nearly eight years on shore and other duty, and was for over five years unemployed.
He was last at sea in January, 1860, and at the commencement of 1861 had the charge of the
Naval Asylum at
Philadelphia.
At that time he stood No. 38 on the list of
Lieutenants of the navy.
The rebellion and other causes made several vacancies in the list above him, and his name stands on the last published list of commanders No. 96, he having been promoted to that rank.
He held, in the present contest, the command of the gun-boat
Cincinnati.
