| Notes |
- Death Notices from the City Gazette of Charleston, South Carolina
Wednesday, September 7, 1814
Died in this city, on Saturday last, after an illness of a few days, Lieutenant Russell Bassett, of the U.S. Navy, aged 30 years. Lieutenant Bassett was a native of New Haven, Connecticut, and embraced the sea faring profession at an early age. Soon after the declaration of the present war, he entered the Navy in the capacity of Sailing-Master. In this station his conduct was such as to win the confidence of hs superiors and of the head of the Navy Department, who gave him command of the government schr. Alligator.
...His firm and heroic defence of that vessel some months since, when attacked by a number of British barges in Stono Inlet, not only served to endear him still more in the estimation of his fellow citizens; but to attract the notice of the government...promoted him to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander...His funeral obsequies were attended by the Naval Officers, on the station, the gallant crew of his little vessel, and a very large concourse of his admiring and weeping fellow citizens. He was buried with honors of war, by the Charleston Riflemen and a detachment of U.S. Marines, in the Archdale street Church Yard, on Sunday last.
...his remains were carried into the Church, where a short but pertinent address was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Palmer...
Copy of Letter
Charleston, 6th September 1814
Mr. William Bassett
Dear Sir:
It has fell to my lot to communicate to you that intelligence which afflicts me very much. Your Brother, Russell, Lieutenant in the service of the United States Navy, having distinguished himself very honorably in that service by an action at Stono, against a very superior force, consisting of 6 British Barges containing 30 men each; and he having only 50 men; had gained that confidence and attachment of the inhabitants of this Station as to make him beloved by all who had the pleasure of his acquantance. he and I had formed a lasting attachment to each other, and my house was his home. The next time he went on the same Station where the action was fought, he had the misfortune to be upset in a squall of wind, and, out of his whole crew only saved 14, including himself. They exerted themselves and got up the vessel and returned to Charleston to repair. The British then came with a considerable force, and lay off the same place. He, then (while his vessel was repairing) volunteered his services to go with a flotilla of Barges and Gallies, as Commodore of the Squadron. In going through the inland navigation in this level country, he took the fever natural to this climate, and returned again to my house. He had every attention that was possible to be given to man, two of the most skillful physicians in this place, and nurses, with friends sufficeint to assist me in giving him all assistance requisite; but the will of Heaven could not be overruled, and on the 3rd instat, being Saturday, he departed this life, at half-past eleven o'clock, a.m., but not before he said he had made his peace with God. He was buried on the 4th in the Presbyterian Church, attended by the Commodore, Navy Agen, all of the Officers of the Navy, the Marine Corps, Rifle Corps, Marine Society, Sailors, Mourners, and Citizens, to the amount of 4 or 5 hundred. At the time he was upset, he lost all he had, and has not been situated so since, as to accumulate anything to my knowledge, but, at any rate, I am determined to administer, so that I may collect everything to his remembrance; whether I shall save myself or not, I know not, but am wiling, if he falls in debt, to pay them and if there is any overplus I am wiling to give it to his Father. Except his Uniform, which he gave to my little Son, (whom he adopted as his own) a boy about five years old. I have writings to show that if there should be anything left it is mine, but do not want anything more than to pay his debts, and collect the remains for your and my satisfaction. I send you a lock of his hair, to be distributed amongst his Brothers and Sisters. I also send you a letter he had written before he was taken sick.
I should be thankful to you to soften this account when communicated to his Father as much as possible, and give me an account of the result, and your wishes, as soon as possible. Mrs. Willis's respects to you and all your family. And as your Brother's brother and friend, I subscribe myself,
Dear Sir, Your Ob't. Servant
John H. Willis
N.B. I would write to your Father, but not having time to look over his papers, do not know his Christian name, which I hope will be a sufficient excuse. J.H.W.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1784 - 1814 (29 years)