A1899
July 07 1899
Lexington Herald-Leader, Lexington, Kentucky, Friday, July 07, 1899
PRAISE FROM DEWEY
For Naval Cadet “Tot” Beckner, of Clark County.
Work In The Philippines.
The proudest happiest man in Winchester on the Fourth was undoubtedly Judge W. M. Beckner, says the Winchester Democrat who on that day received information for the first time that his son Naval Cadet John Taliaferro Beckner had had special mention from Admiral George Dewey for “bravery and skill” in action. It seems that a gunboat expedition in charge of Lieut. Ellicott, an officer on the U.S.S. Baltimore was sent up the Pasig river on which Manila is situated to drive out some bodies of insurgents along its banks who had been quite troublesome. Our sailor boy, of whom we are all so proud was one of the officers sent with the expedition and in a fight that took place received a flesh wound. When the boats returned the commander of the Baltimore sent to Admiral Dewey a report of their operations. In acknowledging the receipt of this communication the great hero wrote the following letter:
No 1201-S.
United States Naval Force,
on Asiatic Station,
Flagship Olympia,
Manila, P. I., April 2, 1899.
Sir:
1. The receipt is acknowledged of your letter of the 30th ultimo enclosing Lieut. Ellicott's report of a boat expedition. Your activity and judgment are commended.
2. The Commander-In-Chief desires to commend also the bravery and skill shown by Lieut. Ellicott, Naval Cadet Beckner and the officers and men in the boat expedition.
Very respectfully,
GEORGE DEWEY,
Admiral United States Navy,
Commanding U.S. Naval Force
on Asiatic Station.
Like all that Admiral Dewey does, this letter is direct and clear and uses no superfluous words. It is certainly a great compliment that such a man should single out from the officers and men in the expedition and specially mention by name Lieut. Ellicott and Cadet Beckner. Taliaferro is so modest and unassuming that he had not even written home about the matter. Like his noble grandfather, for whom he was named, he detests the very appearance of bragging. A cop of Dewey's letter was sent to his father by a friend who happened to see it. His wound received on the above expedition has entirely healed. He is attached to the Baltimore, which is the flagship of Rear Admiral Watson, who has succeeded Dewey as commander of our naval forces on the Asiatic Station.
