"Rear admiral Stringham, born in Middletown, Orange County, N. Y., November 7th, 1798; died in brooklyn, N. Y., February 7th, 1876. He entered the Navy as a midshipman, November 15, 1809, and was in continuous service up to the breaking out of the Civil War in 1861, when he was summoned to Washington to advise upon the preparations for war. He took command of the North Atlantic Blockading Fleet, and planned the expedition to Hatteras Inlet. General Butler accompanied him with 900 men. The squadron bombarded the forts, sailing in an ellipse, by which means it concentrated its fire on the forts, and manoeuvred so skillfully that none of the fleet were hit. Both forts surrendered, and the troops were landed to garrison them on August 29th, 1861. Not one of the Federal troops was injured. This was the first naval victory of any importance. Stringham declined further active service on account of his age, and was retired as a commodore, December 21st, 1861. He was promoted to rear admiral on the retired list, July 16th, 1862."— Frank Leslie, 1896

Admiral Silas H. Stringham

"Rear admiral Stringham, born in Middletown, Orange County, N. Y., November 7th, 1798; died in brooklyn,…