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Midshipman Cowan.On James' Island, in the South Pacific Oeean, on the 10th of August, 1813, Midshipman JOHN S. COWAN, late of the United States' Navy. At the time of his decease, he was acting Lieutenant on board the United States' frigate. Essex, to which post he had been temporarily appointed by his gallant commander, in consideration of his high professional merit, and his enthusiastie devotion to the service of his country. — He possessed in an eminent degree the esteem and confidence of his commander, and of his brother Officers generally, and gave the strongest indications of future greatness; in his profession promising at once to become an honor to his country and his family; but, alas' his destiny was otherwise ordered. An unhappy dispute with a brother officer, (lieut. Gambel of the marines) led on to a duel, in which fell the subject of this article. The intelligence of this distressing event occasioned the deepest regret in Captain Porter; no previous intimation of any misunderstanding between the parties had been received by him, or, he would at once prevented the catastrophe that ensued. All that remained for him was to lament, what it was now too late to remedy, and to pay, every mark of respeet to his remains, which were entombed with the honors of war, on the Island before mentioned. In a strange and remote part of the world he fell; far, far from his kindred and his native soil; but his grave was hallowed by the tears of his countrymen, and his brave associates in arms. A neat and simple structure was raised to point out to the stranger who might visit the Island, the spot of earth where he remains rested; and on it were inscribed, by his friend, Lieutenant M'Knight, the following monumental lines: —
Sacred to the Memory
Of Lieutenant John S. COWAN, Of the U.S. frigate Essex, Who died here, Anno. 1813, Aged 21 years. His loss is ever to be regretted By his Country, And mourned by his Friends And Brother Officers. . . . .
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Source.
"[Biography of "Midshipman Cowan of the Essex frigate." |
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