Death of a Midshipman.
Some months ago, William B. Sinclair, Jr., passed midshipman Confederate States Navy, son of Dr. William B. Sinclair, formerly of Norfolk, now of this city, was drowned while transferring some ammunition from a captured prize to the Confederate States steamer Florida. The boat, in which he was, sank, and young Sinclair, having generously given an oar to one of the sailors who was struggling in the water, attempted to reach the ship by swimming, but became exhausted and sank within twenty yards of it. The following official orders from the Navy Department concerning his death have been issued:--Information has reached the Department of the death of Passed Midshipman William B. Sinclair, late of the Florida, at sea, on the 10th of July last. In passing from a prize ship to the Florida, his boat was swamped, and he, the only one of the crew lost, perished in rescuing a seaman who could not swim. "On this, as on many previous occasions, this young officer displayed that courage, coolness, and conscientious devotion to duty and to right, which ever marked his brief career.
"Office of Orders and Detail, "Richmond, November 18, 1864.
"Commanding officers of squadrons and the school ship Patrick Henry will have the above order read on board each vessel of their respective commands, the ensign and flag to be at half-mast during the ceremony. 