Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 27.djvu/228

 220 Southern Historical Society Papers.

Jefferson Page passed through all grades and was commissioned a commander in 1855. I" 1861, however, he left the United States Navy and received a commission as Commodore in the C. S. N. He was also made a colonel of heavy artillery in the C. S. A., and was in command of the station at Gloucester Point, and later at Chaffin's Bluff. He was however, relieved from duty in the army and sent as special agent of the Confederacy to European countries to purchase ships for the navy. After the war he went to London, and later went to South America, where he and his son engaged in cattle raising on an extensive scale. In this connection is an inter- esting story.

In the early fifties he surveyed the Paraguay and Rio de la Plata rivers. His services were recognized by the Argentine gov- ernment, which offered to commission him commander-in-chief of the navy of that country. This honor, however, he declined, but on his returning to that country after the war, and being in re- duced circumstances, he at once became a popular hero, and financial aid was given him without stint. His son had already settled there, and they engaged in stock raising. He, by this means, amassed a considerable fortune, and then migrated to Florence, Italy. Here his daughter became the Countess of Spinola, but on the death of the Count of Spinola, they removed to Rome, where the home of the venerable couple, Commodore and Mrs. Jefferson Page, became the Mecca of Americans who visited that city. For a score of years Commodore Page was blind, but retained the full possession of his mental faculties.

Besides his service at sea, Commodore Page surveyed and made soundings for the old Fire Island Channel, New York harbor, and for some years was stationed at the Naval Observatory in Wash- ington.

A widow, a daughter (the Countess of Spinola), Professor Fred- erick Page, of Bryn Mawr, Pa., and Philip Page, of Buenos Ayres, South America, sons, survive him. He also has many relatives who reside in this State. The Page homestead at "Shelley" is now occupied by his grand-nephew, Richard Page.

The death of Captain Page recalls to the minds of those who knew him many thrilling incidents in connection with his life.

As Mr. Virgmius Newton was one of the officers of the Stonewall, commanded by Captain Thomas Jefferson Page, a representative of The Times saw him yesterday evening. Mr. Newton gave the fol- lowing account of the history of the Stonewall :