Francis Warrington Dawson 1861-1865 Page 3

Francis Warrington Dawson 1861-1865

To my irritation as I went aboard I found that Captain Pegram was in London. The officer on duty was very courteous and tended to be communicative, so I had a long talk with him.   His name was Lt. John J. Ingraham, of Charleston, S. C. I learned he was a graduate of Annapolis, and  it rather daunted me to find that one could not expect to attain the rank of officer in the Navy unless one had had the thorough training of  a naval school, or practical education at sea.

Several days later I went down to Southampton again, and this time I saw Capt. Pegram. The dignity and kindness of his manner impressed me immediately, and I unbosomed myself to him without reserve.  I should mention here that he'd been in the Navy for 25-30 years when Virginia seceded from the Union, and instantly resigned his commission to share the fortunes of his native State.

He had already gained recognition in his profession, and I have seen the sword of honor presented to him by the State of Virginia in recognition of his gallantry in an engagement with pirates in the Chinese Seas.   On the golden scabbard of this sword his name and rank are engraved, with this simple but eloquent inscription:

"The State of Virginia to a devoted son."

PIE