-
40. John Thomas Scharf, Midshipman
- The University of Alabama Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
40 John Thomas scharf, Midshipman september–December 1864 for the navy, the WaterWitch had become a white elephant. But to people around White Bluff, a warship in the vernon river was exciting. and her young officers— few as they were—added a new dimension to the low country society. one of these young blades was John Thomas scharf of Baltimore.1 a veteran of the first Maryland artillery in lee’s army, thrice wounded in battle, scharf had acquired a coveted midshipman’s commission and a spot at the naval academy. There, in the war zone, the midshipmen were often called from the Patrick Henry’s classrooms to help man batteries ashore and fight the yanks. Professors used these assignments to reward the best students, and scharf was frequently among those sent ashore to fight. at the end of January 1864, he volunteered for a secret mission, joining John Taylor Wood in an expedition that boarded, captured , and destroyed the u.s.s. Underwriter off new Bern, north carolina. on completing his midshipman’s schooling, he was posted to the Chattahoochee, stopping to see Taylor Minor aboard the Savannah on the way. from the Chattahoochee he volunteered for a cutting-out expedition against a blockader off apalachicola , and he nearly lost his life when a violent gale struck the flotilla of small boats.2 Posted now to the WaterWitch, the midshipman was about to trade peril to his life for danger to his heart. short, stocky, and handsome, scharf cut a dashing figure in his navy blues.3 he made friends ashore, met the neyle habersham family, and began to frequent their becolumned, three-story summer home on the vernon . he was powerfully attracted to neyle and Josephine’s daughter, anna. she was tall for her age, and looked—and acted—older than her fifteen years. she and her friends had been socializing with army lieutenants for a year. her mother be- 364 / chapter 40 lieved that “a young girl should become accustomed to the society and attentions of gentlemen when young so that her head will not be turned by the first man who notices her.”4 scharf was smitten. her family—particularly father neyle—liked the young midshipman, and scharf paid discreet court to Miss anna. soon he sent an eloquent four-page epistle pledging his love and proposing marriage. anna read it with astonishment. “Just think & Guess!” she confided to her journal. “scharf has ‘poped [sic] the question!’” But she wasn’t filled with joy—the proposal troubled her. “i did not know how to answer it—of course i would refuse him, but how?” The next day was sunday, and the family attended services at White Bluff Presbyterian church (where scharf had begun worshiping to be close to anna), and “there i saw scharf of course. he did look so handsome, with his blue pants and navy jacket.” anna kept to the protection of her family, and the love-struck midshipman—burning to know her answer—could only bow from a distance. Then, still in doubt, he turned and “the last i saw of him,” said anna, “he was walking home.” cousin robbie White told anna he was going over to the Water Witch to visit scharf after dinner. it was an opportunity to reply that she could not avoid. “i wish Mary newell, or some of my confidants were here,” she thought. “i would make Mama one but am afraid to, as scharf might not like it.” so she composed a note—brief and to the point. “Mr. scharf: The subject of 33. Midshipman J. Thomas scharf in later life. a successful Baltimore attorney after the war, scharf would pen, among other works, his History of the Confederate States Navy from Its Organization to the Surrender of Its Last Vessel. (scharf, History of the Confederate States Navy.) [44.200.210.43] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 12:43 GMT) John Thomas scharf, Midshipman / 365 your note surprised me greatly. i can answer you only as, a true friend. By not referring to this again you will oblige.” she added a postscript: “Do not let this answer mar our friendship.” in retrospect, she thought it was rather stiff, and he had written her a beautiful, almost lyric letter. But it was the best she could do at the moment. robbie took it with him that afternoon. When scharf read anna’s note he blushed heavily, muttering: “i thought i would have received a better answer than this...