Benjamin F. B. Hunter

Benjamin Fitz-Bourne Hunter

Benjamin Fitz-Bourne Hunter
Born (1821-11-11)November 11, 1821
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Died April 9, 1884(1884-04-09) (aged 62)
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Buried at Natchez, Mississippi
Allegiance United States United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service 1835-1851
Rank Lieutenant
Commands held USS Warren
USS Constitution
USS James Madison
USS Phoenix
USS Wave
USS Onkahye
USS Somers
USS Cyane
USS Portsmouth
USS Marion
Battles/wars

Mexican–American War

Lieutenant Benjamin Fitz-Bourne Hunter, USN (Ret.), was a sailor and officer of the United States Sailing Navy. Born November 11, 1821 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he held positions of increasing responsibility and commanded many groups of sailors. He died April 9, 1884, age 62, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and was buried in Natchez, Mississippi (Hunter Lot #205, Plot #3).

Naval Service

Benjamin F.B. Hunter was a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, honorably retired in 1851. He entered naval service in 1835 at the age of 14 and served two years "before the mast" on the USS Warren and resigned in 1837. Hunter reentered service in 1839, led an expedition to resupply Captain John Fremont during the War with Mexico and later led land forces during the Mexican–American War campaign for Los Angeles.[1] He also led a 140-man landing party ashore in San Jose, Mexico, where the American flag was raised with no resistance.

Contained below are excerpts from official orders and correspondence as published.

From the National Archives, Naval Officer Records (dates are as written in the official log):


"No. 2134
10th April 1839, Reappointed Ben F.B. Hunter
20th Aug 1835. August 20th 1835 appointed5. Nov. 12th to the Warren 547. Oct. 10th 37 Resign. accepted 31, March 22 39 Reinstated and hold in readiness for active service 173. March 28th 39 to the Constitution (at Norfolk) April 11th to the Constitution at N.Y. 189."[1]

  1. ^ National Archives (Naval Officer Records)


"Navy Department
20th August, 1835
Sir,
You are hereby appointed an Acting Midshipman in the Navy of the United States, and if your commanding officer shall after 6 months of actual service at sea, report favorably of your character, talents and qualifications, a Warrant will be given to you, bearing the date of this letter.
I enclose a description of the uniform and the required oath: the latter, when taken and subscribed, you will transmit to this Department, with your letter of acceptance, in which you will state your age, and place of nativity.
Your pay will not commence until you shall receive orders for service at sea.
I am, respectfully
M. Dickerson

Ben F.B. Hunter, Esq.
of the State of Georgia
Washington"[1]

  1. ^ Navy Warrant
J K Paulding Secretary of the Navy 1838-1841


"Navy Department
Martin Van Buren
PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA
TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS GREETING:
Know YE, That reporting special trust and confidence in the Patriotism, Valor, Fidelity and Abilities of BEN F. B. HUNTER I do appoint him a Midshipman in the NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES, from the 20th of August, 1835.
HE IS, THEREFORE, carefully and diligently to discharge all duties of a Midshipman. I do strictly charge and require all Officers, seamen and others under his command, to be obedient to his orders.
AND he is to obey the orders and directions which he shall receive from the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES or his superior Officer according to the Rules and Discipline of the NAVY. THIS WARRANT is to continue in force during the pleasure of the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES.
GIVEN under my hand at the City of Washington, this TENTH day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine and in the sixty third Year of the INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES.

By the President M. Van Buren
J.K. Paulding Secretary of the Navy
Registered L B Hardin"[1]

  1. ^ Navy Warrant
US Navy letter, Midshipman appointment for Benjamin F. B. Hunter


"Navy Department
April 10th 1839
Sir,
Herewith you will receive a Warrant as a Midshipman in the Navy of the United States, from the 20th day of August 1835, the receipt of which you will please acknowledge to this Department.
I am, respectfully, yours,
J K Paulding
Mid. Ben F.B. Hunter
U.S. frigate Constitution
New York"[1]

  1. ^ Navy Order


"Navy Department
April 11th, 1839
Sir,
The Frigate Constitution having, it is understood, sailed from Norfolk, you will proceed to New York and report to Commodore Ridgely for duty in that ship.
I am respectly, yours
J K Paulding
Reported April 13, 1839
H M
Mid. Ben F.B. Hunter
U.S. Navy
Washington"[1]

  1. ^ Navy Order

"Mid. Hunter reported this day
Feby. 2 1841
James Biddle
Navy Department
January 27th, 1841
Sir,
Agreeably to your request of the 25th inst. you have permission to attend the Naval School at Philadelphia, first reporting to Comm. Biddle, governor of the asylum.
In case you avail yourself of this permission you are to conform to all the regulations of that establishment, as you will be held responsible for their neglect or violation in the same manner as for disobedience of orders or other misconduct on board ship.
I am, respectfly, yours
J K Paulding
Mid
B.F.B. Hunter
U.S. Navy
Washington, D.C."[1]

  1. ^ Navy Order

"Navy Department
June 30th, 1841

Sir, I enclose to you a Warrant as a Passed Midshipman in the Navy of the United States, dated the 29th day of June 1841, assigning you rank as such from the 22nd day of June 1841, and numbered Six the receipt of which you will please acknowledge to this Department.

I am respectfully, yours
Geo. E. Badger

Pass. Mid.
B.F.B. Hunter
U.S. Navy
(Baltimore)
Washington, D.C."[1]

  1. ^ Navy Order

"Navy Department
Sept. 8th, 1841

Sir,
You will proceed to New York without delay, and report to Captn. Perry for duty on board the U.S. Schooner Madison.

I am, respectfully,
Your obt. Sevt.
Geo. E. Badger

Pas.d Midn
Ben F. B. Hunter
U.S. Naval Depot of Charts
Washington
reported
Sept 14, 1841
M. C. Perry
Comdt."[1]

  1. ^ Navy Order

"Comdts office
Navy Yard New York
Sept 14 1841
Sir
In obedience to the written orders of the 8th inst -- you will report for duty to the Comdg officer of the U.S. Schr Madison.
Respectfully
M.C. Perry
Comdt
Pasd Mid
B.F.B. Hunter
U.S. Navy
Comdt."[1]

  1. ^ Navy Order

"Navy Department
Sept. 27th, 1843

Sir,
You are hereby detached from the Schr. Wave and you will report to Commd. Kennedy for duty as Acting Master of the USS Ship Vandalia.

I am, respectfy, yours,
David Henshaw

Pass'd Mid
Ben F. B. Hunter
U.S. Navy
Norfolk"
[1]

  1. ^ Navy Order

"Navy Department
Oct 3d 1843

Sir,
The Vandalia having sailed your order to her is hereby revoked & you will regard yourself as "waiting orders".

I am, respectfy, yours
David Henshaw

Pass'd Mid'n
Ben F. B. Hunter
U.S. Navy
Washington, D. C."
[1]

  1. ^ Navy Order

"Treasury Department
Fourth Audition Office
October 25th, 1843

Sir,
I have received your letter of the 21st inst- asking that your account may be transferred to the Charleston S.C. station.
The Schooner On-ka-hy-e to which you are now attached, is about to proceed to Charleston S.C.. On her arrival there the Navy agent at that place, who discharges the duties of Purser of that station, will pay the officers & crew of that vessel.

I am sir, respty,
Your Obt sevt
A. V. Dayton

Acty Master
Ben F. B. Hunter
U.S. Schooner On-ka-hy-e"
[1]

  1. ^ Navy Correspondence
Original Naval Orders to detach from the U.S.S. On-ka-hy-e and proceed to Pensacola

"U.S. Naval Station
Charleston, S.C.
Apr 22d, 1844

Sir,
Enclosed are orders from the Hon Secretary of the Navy you are thereby detached from the U.S.S. On ka hy e. You will therefore proceed without delay to Pensacola.

I am Respectfully,
Your Obt Serv't
Rich- T. Pinkney
Comdn USN
Comdn Station

To Pass'd Mid
Ben F. B. Hunter
U.S. Navy"
[1]

  1. ^ Navy Order

The Portsmouth, "Old Poverty",[1] first anchored at Monterey at the request of the American Counsel John Larkin, who was concerned for the welfare of the American citizens residing there. The USS Cyane and Levant now back from their mission to Honolulu relieved the Portsmouth of her guard duty and she proceeded to Yerba Buena. The mission was to claim California for the United States if war was declared and assist John Fremont who was in the Sacramento Valley.

  1. ^ Downey, Joseph T. The Cruise of the Portsmouth. Ed. Howard Lamar. New Haven and London: Yale UP, 1958.

"New and startling rumors now began to spread about. Capt Fremont had returned to California, had been joined by Lt. Gillespie, who was on a secret mission from the States, and was determined to chastise Castro for his insolence. In furtherance of this plan, he had sent down to us a requisition for money, stores and ammunition and our launch was forewith to be fitted out, and proceed up the Sacramento River, with the necessary supplies. These rumors coupled with the great movements of cleaning, caulking and watering ship fully occupied our time. There for the first time this cruise we had a general wash".[1]

  1. ^ Downey, Joseph T. The Cruise of the Portsmouth. Ed. Howard Lamar. New Haven and London: Yale UP, 1958.

Downey's book Filings From An Old Saw describes the departure of the launch..

"The launch, which had as well as the ship, undergone great repairs, was hauled alongside, and at once fitted for war. Her swivel was mounted on the bow, arm chest, ammunition, and fixed shot boxes secured in the stern, sheets-oars releathered, masts stepped and sails fitted, and everything betokened was about to be done. A staunch and trusty crew was assigned to her; the stores ordered were stowed in her; ten days rations issued to her men, she was put in the charge of Lieut [Benjamin F.B.] Hunter and at or about 10 P.M., she shoved off on an expedition unknown to any save the officers, and even they were as mute as the grave upon the subject of their destination".[1]

  1. ^ Downey, Joseph T. Filings from an Old Saw. San Francisco: Howell, 1957.

Passages from Frd Blackburn Roger's book Montgomery and the Portsmouth describe the boatload of supplies sent to Fremont.

"Soon came the task of loading the Portsmouth's launch with the requisitioned supplies, among which were: "5 Bbls Flour, one dozen pork, one box soap, 2 boxes tobacco, 10 lbs candles, 3 dozen pair stockings, 100 Blue Flannel shirts, one sack coarse salt, one Breaker, 50 lbs Lead, 400 Percussion Caps, 37 yards Russia Duck, 73 yards No. 6 cotton canvas, 4 lbs. twine, one box Medicines, 500 lbs iron.
The launch was of good size: 30' length, 8'5" beam and 3'10" depth. When it departed June 11 it was deeply laden, for addition to the supplies it carried Lieut. B. F. B. Hunter (in charge), Gillespie and his colored servant, Purser James H Watmough, Asst. Surg Marius Duvall, Robert E. Russell, a pilot, and "a lawless Frenchman who had crossed the mountains with Capt. Fremont".[1]

  1. ^ Rogers, Fred B. Montgomery and the Portsmouth. San Francisco: J. Howell, 1958.

"USS Portsmouth
Yerbabuena July 29th, 1846
Sir,
You will proceed in one of the ships boats to Sonoma, and on your arrival there, hand to Capt John Grigsby, or the Commanding Officer present, the accompanying communication, and affording him such assistance, or information supporting the proposed changes in their Military organization as may be in your power. You will return without unnecessary delay and report to me.
Respectfully I am Sir
Your Obt Sevt,
John B. Montgomery
Commandg
To
Actg Lt. B.F.B. Hunter
U.S.Ship Portsmouth"
[1]

  1. ^ Navy Order

Ships Sailed[18]

Ports of Call

Family

Hunter married with Ms. Catharine Jane Pilmore on August 8, 1848 in the Trinity Episcopal Church, Natchez, Mississippi.

Copy of Sacred Token page from Benjamin F. B. Hunter and Catharine Jane Hunter Bible, presented by C. Pilmore on wedding day August 8, 1848

Family Bible, Illuminated Bible, The Apocrypha, Harper & Brothers, New York, 1846. Lost in estate sale, 2012

Notes

Originals and copies of Naval Orders and Correspondence were obtained from Ms. Adrienne Heuer in 2012 who resides in Navarre, Florida. Naval records were also obtained from the National Archives Naval Officer Records in Washington, D.C. Research on Lt. Hunter's career was conducted by Mr. Jackie Dean Heuer and Ms. Audrey Carol Heuer. Wiki compiled by signalcharlie, for more information contact signalcharlie.

References

  1. ↑ Robarts, William Hugh. Mexican War veterans : a complete roster of the regular and volunteer troops in the war between the United States and Mexico, from 1846 to 1848 ; the volunteers are arranged by states, alphabetically, BRENTANO'S, (A. S. WITHERBEE & CO , Proprietors,; WASHINGTON, D. C., 1887.
  2. ↑ National Archives (Naval Officer Records)
  3. ↑ National Archives (Naval Officer Records)
  4. ↑ National Archives (Naval Officer Records)
  5. ↑ National Archives (Naval Officer Records)
  6. ↑ National Archives (Naval Officer Records)
  7. ↑ National Archives (Naval Officer Records)
  8. ↑ National Archives (Naval Officer Records)
  9. ↑ National Archives (Naval Officer Records)
  10. ↑ National Archives (Naval Officer Records)
  11. ↑ National Archives (Naval Officer Records)
  12. ↑ National Archives (Naval Officer Records)
  13. ↑ National Archives (Naval Officer Records)
  14. ↑ Navy Correspondence
  15. ↑ National Archives (Naval Officer Records)
  16. ↑ Wilcox, Cadmus M, and Mary R. Wilcox. History of the Mexican War. Washington, D.C: Church News Pub. Co, 1892.
  17. ↑ Wilcox, Cadmus M, and Mary R. Wilcox. History of the Mexican War. Washington, D.C: Church News Pub. Co, 1892.
  18. ↑ Chapelle, Howard I. History of the American Sailing Navy. New York: Norton, 1949

Bibliography

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