Introduction: All military and civilian employees of Norfolk (Gosport) Navy Yard were typically under the command of commandant of the shipyard. During the period 1825-1831, the United States Marine detachment was often housed on a receiving ship in Norfolk harbor. Receiving ships in the early Navy were used to house new naval recruits who were kept aboard while they received medical examinations, training, uniforms and assigned to a ship or station. In this time period the USS Alert was the receiving ship for the Norfolk Navy Yard under the charge of Master Commandant Edmund Pendelton Kennedy. The small Marine detachment provided security for the vessel both to maintain order and to ensure the new naval recruits did not desert. Desertion was a major problem in the early days: see Commodore James Barron’s letter of 19 April 1827 below.

On a day to day basis, though, the crew looked to the Alert’s Lieutenant, David G. Farragut (later famous as Admiral Farragut), for their orders and work direction. Farragut knew the USS Alert better than anyone aboard. On 13 August 1812, as a twelve year old midshipman, he had been on the USS Essex when it defeated the Alert in battle. The crew included a small group of specialized officers, such as the Purser John De Bree. In keeping with naval regulations, those assigned were required to muster periodically for record keeping and pay purposes. In a typical year the Alert received hundreds of new recruits prior to their transfer to permanent assignment on ship or shore. Besides Norfolk, Virginia, receiving ships were also located at Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.

To maintain these ships required a substantial number of men to keep the vessels preserved and secure. The muster roll for January to September 1826 reflects the USS Alert had a crew of fifty seamen and fifteen marines. The seamen took care of many of the routine maintenance tasks on the station, and for ships that had seen hard service abroad and were awaiting restoration. Any ship in ordinary typically had a small or minimal crews comprised of sailors in transit, and semi-retired or disabled sailors who stayed aboard to ensure that the ship remained in usable condition, provided security, kept the bilge pump running, and ensured the lines were secure. The crew was housed on the ship either temporarily or for indefinite duration. While the seamen were responsible for the maintenance of the ship, the marines were responsible for providing security and ensuring the new recruits did not desert. Both groups were also responsible for whatever tasks and the shipyard commander assigned

John G. M. Sharp

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This letter from Captain John Cassin, Commandant of the Gosport (Norfolk) Navy Yard to Secretary of the Benjamin Crowninshield is dated 5 December 1816.^{1, 2} Cassin’s letter reflects the long standing tension regarding the chain of command and the authority of Commandants of Navy Yards and installations ashore over United States Marine Corps officers heading marine detachments at such places. In 1836 Commodore Lewis Warrington, Commandant of Gosport Navy Yard, 1829-1840, even “felt compelled to call for the arrest and court martial of Colonel [Archibald] Henderson” Commandant of the Marine Corps, on the charge of “disobedience of orders.”³ Fortunately the Secretary of the Navy, Mahlon Dickerson, never acted on this request and the two men continued to work together

Navy Yard Gosport, 5th December 1816

Sir,

Be pleased to excuse the liberty I have taken of addressing you on this subject having had it long in contemplation to write you on this subject which appears to be somewhat pregnant with evil, the inconsistency with all military subordination of planning the marine officer within the command or the captain commandant of a navy yard without subjecting him to the order of said commandant is so absurd that it is strange it should have been so long without being corrected, the marine officers who are stationed here while they admit the right of the commandant to give them orders respecting planning essentials and their duties within the yard contend they are not under the orders of the said commandant this having a right of command but not having the right to command is certainly paradoxical and in my opinion subversive to military discipline the case in point the commandant of marines on this station, has received orders from the Col[onel] Commandant to repair to a court martial at Philadelphia to set a court martial which is to convene on the 12th instant and the officer notified me this day, that he had delivered the command of the Marine guard to Lieutenant Green in consequence of the above orders.⁴

I beg leave to draw your attention to the 4th section of the Act of Congress titled an Act for establishing and arranging a Marine Corps passed July 11, 1798, clearly defines the rules and regulations to which the Marine Corps shall be subject expressly stating that they shall be governed by the same rules and articles of war as provided for the military establishment of the United States and by the Rules and regulation of the Navy hereafter on which shall be established by law according to the service in which they may be employed.⁵ I contend that it cannot be contended that by guarding naval property with the Navy Yard commanded by a Naval Officer is not Naval Service merely doing duty on shore brings the Marines within military rules and is itself a military service with equal plausibility may it be argued that the captain commanding does not Naval duty but military service. But I append that a just construction of the afore mentioned law admits the Corps to be subject to military rules and regulations only when stationed in forts and garrisons or another duty on shore not within the jurisdiction of a naval commander. The injury that occurs to the public in practicing so incongruous a system is clearly in a letter from Commodore Bainbridge to the Honorable Secretary of the Navy in consequence of letter from me some time since on the same subject.⁶ A copy of his letter is respectfully annexed to these remarks we further observe that we cannot discover that any sense of dignity can result to a Marine officer by being ordered by the commandant to report himself to the commandant of the yard at which he is stationed. If the said Marine officer from the nature of his commission; to be placed under the command of Lieutenant of the Navy on ship. And we are at a loss to discover in what manner it can possibility be inferred with what legal authority of the Col[onel] Commandant. We therefore recommend that orders be given to the Col[onel] Commandant of the Marine Corps in placing a detachment of Marines in the Navy Yard for the protection of naval property or for other reasons, he shall particularly direct the officer commanding to report himself to the commandant of the Navy Yard and for his orders in the same manner as if the said detachment were on board one of the vessels of our Navy, which I have the honor to submit for your consideration. I have the honor to be Sir, your obedient servant.

[Signed] John Cassin

To: The Honorable Ben. Crowninshield⁷

1 Cassin to Crowninshield 5 December 1816, Letter Received by the Secretary of the Navy from Captains (“Captains Letters” ), 1805-61, 1865-85 volume 51, 1 October 1816, 31 December 1816, letter number 92, RG 260, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.

2 Commodore John Cassin (July 7, 1760 to March 24, 1822) was a United States Navy officer, who led the vital defense of Gosport Navy Yard during the War of 1812 and served as its Commandant from 10 August 1812 until 1 June 1821.

3 Warrington to Dickerson, 10 February 1836 Letter Received by the Secretary of the Navy from Captains (“Captains Letters” ), 1805 to 61, 1865 to 85 volume 214, 1 February 1836 to 29 February 1836, letter number 26, RG 260, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.

4 Lt. Col. Franklin Wharton, 1767-1818, third Commandant of the Marine Corps. “Lieutenant Colonel Franklin Wharton, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps https://web.archive.org/web/20110615064816/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/
Whos_Who/Wharton_F.htm accessed 19 March 2021

5 U.S. Congress 11 July 1798, "An Act for Establishing and Organizing a Marine Corps". http://www.patriotfiles.com/index.php?name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=7833&page=1 Retrieved 19 March 2021.

6 Commodore William Bainbridge 1774-1833 Naval History and Heritage Command,
https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/research-guides/z-files/zb-files/zb-files-b/bainbridge-william.html
Bainbridge briefly commanded Norfolk Navy Yard from 1798 to 1800 but the letter Cassin referred to was probably written during Bainbridge’s years as Commandant of the Charlestown Navy Yard.

7 Benjamin Williams Crowninshield (December 27, 1772 to February 3, 1851) served as the United States Secretary of the Navy between 1815 and 1818, during the administrations of Presidents James Madison and James Monroe.

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Portsmouth 17 Feby 1827
[To] The Honble Saml L. Southard Esqr

Sir,
There is a rule in the Medical Dept. here which seems to be at variance with the free discharge of the Chaplains Official duties to the sick. I ask leave to state it, that from a view of the apparent impropriety of it you may [illegible] whether some alteration may not be necessary.

There have been lately two deaths, of the sickness of which cases I was never apprised until notified to attend the funerals. One of the men I was told died in great distress of mind and was very desirous to see me, during his short illness. This induced me to call on Dr. Williamson, the presiding resident physician. I informed him of the above case and observed, as a free visitation of the Hospitals was not allowed me, I would be thankful, if he would acquaint me by note or message when in his opinion any persons were seriously or dangerously sick that I might visit them. The Dr. replied that however desirable it was to gratify me, compliance was impractical, as it was subjected to a special rule in this case, he remarked - It was first the duty of the patient to signify to him his wish to convene with a Minister, and of what profession he desired to be visited – then he would address a not to the Comm stating his application, when it would be the proper business of the latter Gentleman to send for a Clergyman as the sick man required. An instance occurred yesterday of a Marine who is sick of a pleurisy. The orderly Sergeant called upon me at the earnest solicitation of the sick man. I attended but was denied access because he had not applied to Dr. Williamson & I had not come in the prescribed way. He is not expected to live. Besides, the sick are not informed of their duty in this matter. It does appear to me, Sir, there is too much formality for the case, and the rule might be dispensed with or modified as to allow the Chaplain a free ingress and access to the Camber of misery.

I am Sir; with Sentiments of great respect your obedient humble servant

E. Mc Laughlin

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U.S. Naval Hospital
Gosport Virginia
24 Febr 1827

Sir,

I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 21st instant relative to admitting the Revd Chaplain of this Station unto the Hospital under my charge. I want the Department distinctly to understand that in all areas when I have been requested by sick men to have a minister of the Gospel sent for, I have universally (when I considered it proper) had one obtained; and such a one as they might select.

We have at times various denominations of Christians under charge. I can hardly permit Presbyterians to turn Father Confessor to a Catholic and that Clergyman would be an unreasonable Christian who could wish a thing of that kind – and unless I have been requested or ordered, I could not permit any Christian to encroach upon the last dying moments of a man.

Cases do occur when the presence of a minster would be attended with the[wrong]consequences – the patient perhaps is much debilitated - the surgeon approaches with the Minister accompanying him – the patient immediately thinks that the Surgeon considers his case hopeless and that he resigns him to the Minster – here the fear of death might produce it – It has always been my practice never to abandon a patient (no matter how hopeless his care maybe) as long as there is life and I have uniformly when I have been requested to do it, and when there was not a danger in the cure, permitted such Minsters as several patients have requested to visit them.

Am I to understand that the Chaplain is allowed to visit the patients wherever he thinks it is advisable or is it left discretionary with me to say when he shall not? More particularly when the sick man expresses no wish to see him.

Immediately upon the reception of your communication the Revd Chaplain is allowed to visit the sick at this establishment.

Very Respectfully I have the honor
to be your obedient servant
Thomas Williamson

[To] The Honorable Samuel L. Southard
Secretary of the Navy
Washington

Editor's Note: In 1828 there were fourteen marines aboard. The marine contingent consisted of twelve privates and two corporals they were enumerated for the April – June 1828 muster roll of the USS Alert. In the pre-1815 U.S. Navy, desertion was a serious offence and accounted for nearly three quarters of all court martial convictions. The following year small congressional appropriations hindered Barron’s call for additional marines to check desertion and on 6 October 1829 he yet again wrote the new Secretary of the Navy John Branch a similar letter.

Commandants Office
United States Navy Yard
Gosport April 19th 1827

Sir,

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 13th instant and should not have importuned you again on this subject , if I did not feel myself constrained by candor to acknowledge that the desertion that took place from the crew of the Alert occurred in this Yard, and not from that Ship. This arises from the present condition of our enclosure, and the feeble state of the Marine guard attached to this Yard, and not withstanding all our vigilance still appears to require particular attention to some efficient remedy. I have therefore most respectfully to suggest that no punishment which we are authorized to inflict has or will put an end to this injurious practice, but I believe that a more formal and of course more severe chastisement would effectively check this disposition in the men to change their situations and it is this alone by which they are actuated for it is next to an impossibility for the crew of any ship to be better treated than the Alerts are, and have been since Lieutenant Farragut joined her. We have generally a sufficient number of officers near at hand to form a Court, and few examples accompanied by judicious course of admonishment would I think have a beneficial effect, if not entirely remove the will.

I have the honor to be
Sir Most Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
James Barron

* * * * *

United States Navy Yard,
Gosport 6th July 1832

Sir, In anticipation of autumnal diseases which in former years has been more or less prevalent on this station; and also in anticipation of the cholera, which we have much reason to expect, and which I desire to be enabled to control at every point I therefore respectfully require two more assistant Surgeons, one to be stationed on board the Receiving Ship, and the other at the Marine Barracks, for such services as exigencies may require –

Doctor Kennon the only assistant under my charge is laboring under a glandular affection of his neck to a degree that I fear he will not be able to be much assistance for a considerable period of time –
I am respectfully Sir
Your obedient Servant
Jon Cowdery18
Surgeon USN

* * * * *

Commodore Lewis Warrington
Commg US Navy Yard Gosport
United States Navy Yard
Gosport August 1st 1832

Sir,
I have ordered Doctor Moseley who was in Norfolk, on leave to attend the Rendezvous which is this day opened, as Doctor Terrill has by your permission a leave of absence –

I shall in case the cholera, which it appears prevails to some extent in the adjoining town of Portsmouth, attacks the sailors or the Marines, order Doctor Chandler also on duty. I hope the necessary for prompt provision in both cases will be a sufficient apology for any seeming disregard of your indulgence to those officials –
I am very respectfully
Your obedient Servant
L. Warrington

* * * * *

The Honorable Secretary of the Navy Washington
United States Navy Yard
Gosport August 7th 1832

Sir,
Although Commodore Rodgers will on arrival appraise you of the Situation of the Fairfield and Porpoise; with the reasons which induced a departure from your instructions, and the great alarm of the present pervading in this vicinity. I deem it proper to make a Communication on the subject; and the more particularly, As my account will be considerably later then his –

On Wednesday last the 1st instant, the Fairfield arrived at the Yard for discharge, previous to survey- Her crew had been reported on that day previous, by her Surgeon Doctor Cornick (upon his request for a short leave of absence) quite well - Between noon of that day, and the morning of Friday, when all work on board her stopped, several deaths by cholera occurred and fifteen or sixteen cases (of less violence) were reported – As I was anxious to delay the discharge of the crew as long as possible, on account of the prevailing disease; to which excess and irregularity of diet, the usual attendants of the release of Naval discipline, are known by experience to add both fuel and force: I commenced on Thursday, the necessary work , and carried it on slowly - On Friday I was requested by the Surgeon who had that morning returned, to desist as he was apprehensive it would be attended with fatal consequences, this request was repeated by the Commanding officer, I was induced to comply and on a representation of the unhealthiness of the ship, to send them on board the Guerrire, which was then lying in a clean state, in Ordinary - For the subsequent forty eight hours, the alarm (no doubt increased by the opportunity which leisure afforded, for the exercise of the imagination) continued to extend, until it reached every person on board, with the exception of two or three officers – On Sunday morning, a representation of their situation, by the two above mentioned gentlemen was made to me; and I as ascertained by inquiry that the apprehension of the disease, has so nearly overpowered the restraint, of discipline, that it became necessary to resort of soothing measures or to the infliction of punishment – I preferred the former, and sent the whole crew to occupy the South wing of the Hospital; until it can be discharged or returned on board – The change has been attended with good effects; for fear has subsided, and there are but few cases reported today – Eight have died, and there are from appearances, we can scarcely expect to lose more than one or two more - I hope, that in taking on myself to occupy this hospital as I have done, I shall be supported by the urgency of the case, and that the delay in the discharge of the men will be considered by you as one of those cases in which the discretionary exercise of undisputed power may be tolerated if not justified - The Porpoise, for a similar reason, I have determined to continue at her anchorage between the forts - I have given to her commander his leave of absence, and also one to her later first Lieutenant, on a certificate of sickness signed by the Acting Surgeon approved by Lieutenant Commander Armstrong - She remains under the charge of her junior Lieutenant Grey Skipworth, on whose discretion I can relay –

I gave a week ago, a positive order to the Commanders of all vessels to abstain from receiving fruit or vegetables on board, except potatoes and pot herbs; to use these last and rice only to prohibit their men from going on shore, to forbid all visitors to them, and to suffer none to be out after sun set: and I have had four cases in the ordinary, and six in the Java, and we have lost a man belonging to the former - As no men can be entered at present, I have ordered the Rendezvous to be closed, and Doctor Moseley to do duty here – I have disposed the Medical Officers as follows: Doctor Moseley to attend to the marines and Officers attached to the Yard; Doctor Chandler and Assistant Surgeon Palmer to attend the Java’s crew (Two hundred and fifty in number); Assistant Surgeon Spotswood to attend the Ordinary; and Assistant Surgeon Kennon to the Hospital to assist Doctor Williamson; and Assistant Surgeon Egbert is too much of an invalid to perform duty; Doctor Kennon is also much indisposed, and if an Assistant Surgeon whose health was such as to enable him to be up at all hours,and encounter great fatigues could be ordered to the Hospital, it would contribute much to its efficiency - The disease is spreading, and how long it may continue, or how many may be the subjects it is impossible to say - I may be considered importuned, but I write under a conviction of duty, and with the hope that distress, apprehension and terror of which I am the hourly witness: may be my apology - We have not more than one half of the usual number of mechanics in the Yard at present: Disease occasions the absence of some, fear that of others, and some have temporarily removed – A subsidence of the alarm will however restore to the workmen their customary energy, and to the Yard its wanted activity –

I am very respectfully
Your obedient Servant
L. Warrington

P.S. It may be proper to remark, that Commodore Rodgers concurred in opinion of the propriety of detaining the men on board to the report of the disease; and also in the Stoppage of the work and removal of the crew to the Guerriere – In nothing relating to either the Fairfield or the Porpoise did I act until I had communicated with him, and it gives me pleasure to add, my measures had his concurrence –

To: The Honorable Secretary of the Navy Washington

* * * * *

Gosport August 7th 1832

Sir,
Since my letter of this morning, I have been informed by the Commanding officer of the Fairfield visiting at the Hospital, that last night the whole crew abandoned the establishment, and are it is supposed in Norfolk – Considering that this detention, was a piece of humanity in my part, and that the order for their prompt discharge, had been only delayed for their Safety, it is unnecessary to take any further steps to retain them, and I have directed the Purser to pay them off on application to him – The officers have received their leaves of absence and the Marines are ordered to the barrack –To retain them when they are disposed to run is impossible as there is no enclosure

I am very respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
L. Warrington

To: The Honorable
Secretary of the Navy