(Copy)

U.S.S. "Ranger" (3^rd Rate)

Gulf of California

April 26^th 1882

Sir:

            I respectfully report C. T. Forse, Lieut. and Executive-officer of this vessel, for using disrespectful language, and gross ungentlemanly epithets to me on the morning of the 25^th inst. in your presence, and in the presence of the officer of the deck, Midshipman J. H. Glennon, and Cadet Engineer S. Arnold while I was engaged in conversation with yourself on matters pertaining to the Engineer's Corps of the Navy.

 

            During this conversation Lieut. Forse turned to me, abruptly, and said:

 

            "Who are they any-way? They are only a lot of gutter-snipes, half of them don't know their own daddy, they are no better than a lot of Machinists picked up from the purloins of the cities!"

 

            I request that official notice be taken of this conduct, and demand from him, in your presence and in the presence of the above named officers, a full and unqualified withdrawal of the language and epithets as used.

                                                                                   

I am, Sir

very respectfully

Your obdt. servant

(Sig.)   Geo. P. Hunt.

Chief Engineer, U.S.N.

 

Commander                                                                            

John W. Philip, U.S.N.                                               

Comd'g "Ranger"                                                                    

 

(Copy)

U.S.S. "Ranger" (3^rd Rate)

At sea, West Coast of Mexico

May 5^th, 1882.            

Sir:

            I respectfully enclose copy of a letter addressed to Comr. J. W. Philip, U. S. Navy, Comdg. this vessel, on the 26^th of April last, in regard to disrespectful language and ungentlemanly epithets addressed to me by Lieut. C. T. Forse, U. S. Navy, Executive-officer of this vessel.

 

            After two fruitless interviews with Lieut. Forse in presence of the Commdg. officer, and still failing to obtain any answer to my report and withdrawal of the language and epithets as used, I am compelled to submit the matter to the Hon^l Secretary of the Navy, for his consideration and action.

 

I am, Sir,

very respectfully,

your obdt. servant

(Sig.)   Geo. P. Hunt

Chief Engineer, U. S. Navy

 

Hon^l                                                                                         

W^m H. Hunt                                                                            

Secretary of the Navy                                                 

Washington, D.C.                                                                  

 

(Copy)

Navy Department,                             

Washington, June 1^st, 1882.

Sir:

            Your letter of the 5^th ultimo with enclosures, in relation to the disrespectful language and ungentlemanly epithets, addressed to you by C. T. Forse, U.S.N., and submitting the matter for the consideration and action of the Department has been received.

 

            Lieut. Forse's language was discourteous and insulting to yourself and an unjustifiable aspersion of the engineer corps of the Navy. If he had not been reprimanded by his commanding officer, he would be tried by court martial for conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. Your action in reporting him is approved / and commended by the Department.

                                                                       

Very respectfully

(Sig.) W^m E. Chandler

Secretary of the Navy.

 

Chief Engineer                                                            

George P. Hunt, U.S.N.                                              

U.S.S. "Ranger", Pacific Station.

 

(Copy)

U.S.S. "Ranger"         

Navy Pay-Office San Francisco, Cal.

August 18^th 1882       

 

Dear Sir:

            As a member of the Engineer Corps of the Navy I desire to express to you my sincere thanks for your just and sympathetic denunciation, during a recent debate in the Senate, of the unreasonable and narrow feeling of prejudice, which is exhibited by the line-officers of the Navy, as a body, towards brother officers who are not of the dominant quarter-deck class.

 

            As a victim to this bitter and malignant feeling I take the liberty of enclosing herewith, for your personal, copy of a correspondence covering a recent experience of my own, which will explain itself, and I have only to add that the young man who so grievously insulted me and my corps is much my junior in age and relative rank, and had not even entered the Naval Academy until a period after I had served creditably throughout the war.

 

            You may observe, Sir, from official sources what unsatisfactory redress is accorded the Staff-officers, under existing law, when the Commanding officer (of course / of the line) can make himself the arbiter of such matters. Had I knocked this officer down, as every impulse of nature and manhood demanded, I would have been courtmartialled by a Court which, composed under the usages of the service of two-thirds of line officers, would undoubtedly dismissed me from the Navy.

 

            I would respectfully request, as this matter has received final action at the hands of the Hon. Secretary of the Navy, that you make no further use of my paper than to personally satisfy yourself of the great necessity, and justice of your well-timed censure of the would-be aristocrats of our country.

 

            Trusting that some legislation, in the near future may bring long sought amelioration of our condition, I have the honor to remain, with much gratitude,

 

Your's, very respectfully

(Sig) Geo. P. Hunt

Chief Engineer,

U. S. Navy

 

Hon^l.                                                                                        

            John A. Logan

            U. S. Senate

            Washington,

                        D.C.

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