John M. Batten

eBook, ePUB

Reminiscences of Two Years in the United States Navy (eBook, ePUB)

Beschreibung

Excerpt: After bidding my relatives and friends good-bye, I proceeded to Philadelphia, Pa., and reported for duty on board the United States steamer Princeton, which was lying anchored in the Delaware river off Philadelphia, and which was the same vessel on which Abel Parker Upshur, Secretary of State under President Tyler, was killed by the explosion of a monster cannon whilst visiting said vessel, in company with the President and other members of the Cabinet. The duty aboard this vessel was of an initiatory character, to prepare officers for clerical duties peculiar to each of their particular offices. I made the acquaintance on this vessel of Surgeon James McClelland, who was the Surgeon of the Princeton. He had entered the United States Navy when a young man, and had been in the service ever since. He was about fifty-five years of age. The first morning after sleeping aboard this vessel, I was awakened by what is always usual aboard a man-of-war, a large gun fired at sunrise. The concussion and reverberation from the report of the heavy gun shook the vessel till it creaked, and, in my half-slumbering condition, I wondered to myself whether it was not a real battle in which the vessel was engaged; but upon mature reflection and inquiry, I learned it was only the report of the sunrise gun.

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Autor

John M. Batten, a lesser-known figure in the annals of American literature, made his modest contribution to historical literature with his work, 'Reminiscences of Two Years in the United States Navy'. Published in the latter part of the 19th century, this memoir provides an intimate glimpse into the life and operations aboard a naval vessel of that era. Batten is not widely recognized in literary circles or by the broader reading public, yet his narrative stands as a valuable firsthand account of the operational intricacies and the human element within the U.S. Navy during a transformative period in its history. His prose, primarily descriptive and straightforward, lacks the flamboyancy of his contemporaries but offers a clear and unembellished portrayal of his experiences. Though information regarding Batten's broader biography remains scant, his book serves as a testament to his service and dedication to documenting the everyday life of navy personnel. Beyond his single work, Batten's impact on literature may be considered minimal; however, for military historians, 'Reminiscences of Two Years in the United States Navy' serves as an important historical document that enriches our understanding of military life in the late 1800s.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: OTB eBook publishing
• Seitenzahl: 74
• Erscheinungstermin: 24. Juli 2020
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9783968652092
• Artikelnr.: 59880324