Lieutenant Benjamin Fitz-Bourne Hunter, USN (Ret.), was a sailor and officer of the United States Sailing Navy. Born November 11, 1821, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he held positions of increasing responsibility and commanded many groups of sailors. He died April 9, 1884, age 62, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and was buried in Natchez, Mississippi.
Naval service Benjamin F.B. Hunter was a lieutenant in the United States Navy, honorably retired in 1851. He entered naval service in 1835 at the age of 14 and served two years "before the mast" on the USS Warren and resigned in 1837. Hunter reentered service in 1839, was the sailing master of the USS Portsmouth, led an expedition to resupply Captain John Fremont during the War with Mexico and later led land forces during the Mexican–American War campaign for Los Angeles.Robarts, William Hugh. Mexican War veterans : a complete roster of the regular and volunteer troops in the war between the United States and Mexico, from 1846 to 1848; the volunteers are arranged by states, alphabetically, BRENTANO'S, (A. S. WITHERBEE & CO, Proprietors; WASHINGTON, D. C., 1887. He also led a 140-man landing party ashore in San Jose, Mexico, where the American flag was raised with no resistance.
Contained below are excerpts from official orders and correspondence as published.
From the National Archives, Naval Officer Records (dates are as written in the official log): "No. 2134 10th April 1839, Reappointed Ben F.B. Hunter 20th Aug 1835. August 20th 1835 appointed5. Nov. 12th to the Warren 547. Oct. 10th 37 Resign. accepted 31, March 22 39 Reinstated and hold in readiness for active service 173. March 28th 39 to the Constitution (at Norfolk) April 11th to the Constitution at N.Y. 189."National Archives (Naval Officer Records) August 20, 1835: Benjamin F.B. Hunter, Esq. of the State of Georgia appointed an acting Midshipman. "Navy Department 20th August, 1835 Sir, You are hereby appointed an Acting Midshipman in the Navy of the United States, and if your commanding officer shall after 6 months of actual service at sea, report favorably of your character, talents and qualifications, a Warrant will be given to you, bearing the date of this letter. I enclose a description of the uniform and the required oath: the latter, when taken and subscribed, you will transmit to this Department, with your letter of acceptance, in which you will state your age, and place of nativity. Your pay will not commence until you shall receive orders for service at sea. I am, respectfully M. Dickerson
Ben F.B. Hunter, Esq. of the State of Georgia Washington"Navy Warrant November 12, 1835: Assigned to USS Warren.National Archives (Naval Officer Records) October 10, 1837: Resigned, accepted October 31, 1837.National Archives (Naval Officer Records) March 22, 1839: Reinstated and hold in readiness for active service.National Archives (Naval Officer Records) March 28, 1839: To the USS Constitution at Norfolk.National Archives (Naval Officer Records) April 10, 1839: Received Warrant, reappointed as a Midshipman from the 20th day of August 1835.National Archives (Naval Officer Records)
"Navy Department Martin Van Buren PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS GREETING: Know YE, That reporting special trust and confidence in the Patriotism, Valor, Fidelity and Abilities of BEN F. B. HUNTER I do appoint him a Midshipman in the NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES, from the 20th of August, 1835. HE IS, THEREFORE, carefully and diligently to discharge all duties of a Midshipman. I do strictly charge and require all Officers, seamen and others under his command, to be obedient to his orders. AND he is to obey the orders and directions which he shall receive from the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES or his superior Officer according to the Rules and Discipline of the NAVY. THIS WARRANT is to continue in force during the pleasure of the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES. GIVEN under my hand at the City of Washington, this TENTH day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine and in the sixty third Year of the INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES.
By the President M. Van Buren J.K. Paulding Secretary of the Navy Registered L B Hardin"Navy Warrant
April 10, 1839: Assigned to the U.S.S. Constitution.
"Navy Department April 10th 1839 Sir, Herewith you will receive a Warrant as a Midshipman in the Navy of the United States, from the 20th day of August 1835, the receipt of which you will please acknowledge to this Department. I am, respectfully, yours, J K Paulding Mid. Ben F.B. Hunter U.S. frigate Constitution New York"Navy Order April 11, 1839: To the Constitution at NY.
"Navy Department April 11th, 1839 Sir, The Frigate Constitution having, it is understood, sailed from Norfolk, you will proceed to New York and report to Commodore Ridgely for duty in that ship. I am respectly, yours J K Paulding Reported April 13, 1839 H M Mid. Ben F.B. Hunter U.S. Navy Washington"Navy Order April 13, 1839: Reported for duty. January 27, 1841: Permission to attend Naval School. "Mid. Hunter reported this day Feby. 2 1841 James Biddle Navy Department January 27th, 1841 Sir, Agreeably to your request of the 25th inst. you have permission to attend the Naval School at Philadelphia, first reporting to Comm. Biddle, governor of the asylum. In case you avail yourself of this permission you are to conform to all the regulations of that establishment, as you will be held responsible for their neglect or violation in the same manner as for disobedience of orders or other misconduct on board ship. I am, respectfly, yours J K Paulding Mid B.F.B. Hunter U.S. Navy Washington, D.C."Navy Order June 30, 1841: Received Warrant as Passed Midshipman "Navy Department June 30th, 1841
Sir, I enclose to you a Warrant as a Passed Midshipman in the Navy of the United States, dated the 29th day of June 1841, assigning you rank as such from the 22nd day of June 1841, and numbered Six the receipt of which you will please acknowledge to this Department.
I am respectfully, yours Geo. E. Badger
Pass. Mid. B.F.B. Hunter U.S. Navy (Baltimore) Washington, D.C."Navy Order September 8, 1841: To the Madison.National Archives (Naval Officer Records) "Navy Department Sept. 8th, 1841
Sir, You will proceed to New York without delay, and report to Captn. Perry for duty on board the U.S. Schooner Madison.
I am, respectfully, Your obt. Sevt. Geo. E. Badger
Pas.d Midn Ben F. B. Hunter U.S. Naval Depot of Charts Washington reported Sept 14, 1841 M. C. Perry Comdt."Navy Order September 14, 1841 "Comdts office Navy Yard New York Sept 14 1841 Sir In obedience to the written orders of the 8th inst -- you will report for duty to the Comdg officer of the U.S. Schr Madison. Respectfully M.C. Perry Comdt Pasd Mid B.F.B. Hunter U.S. Navy Comdt."Navy Order October 22, 1842: Detached from the Phoenix.National Archives (Naval Officer Records) February 4, 1843: Recg.ves at Charleston.National Archives (Naval Officer Records) September 27, 1843: Detached to the Vandalia as Acting Master.National Archives (Naval Officer Records) "Navy Department Sept. 27th, 1843
Sir, You are hereby detached from the Schr. Wave and you will report to Commd. Kennedy for duty as Acting Master of the USS Ship Vandalia.
I am, respectfy, yours, David Henshaw
Pass'd Mid Ben F. B. Hunter U.S. Navy Norfolk" Navy Order October 3, 1843: Previous order revoked & Waiting Orders.National Archives (Naval Officer Records) "Navy Department Oct 3d 1843
Sir, The Vandalia having sailed your order to her is hereby revoked & you will regard yourself as "waiting orders".
I am, respectfy, yours David Henshaw
Pass'd Mid'n Ben F. B. Hunter U.S. Navy Washington, D. C." Navy Order October 14, 1843: to the On-Ka-Hy-E as Master.National Archives (Naval Officer Records) October 25, 1843: Request to transfer account to Charleston S. C. station. "Treasury Department Fourth Audition Office October 25th, 1843
Sir, I have received your letter of the 21st inst- asking that your account may be transferred to the Charleston S.C. station. The Schooner On-ka-hy-e to which you are now attached, is about to proceed to Charleston S.C.. On her arrival there the Navy agent at that place, who discharges the duties of Purser of that station, will pay the officers & crew of that vessel.
I am sir, respty, Your Obt sevt A. V. Dayton
Acty Master Ben F. B. Hunter U.S. Schooner On-ka-hy-e" Navy Correspondence
April 17, 1844: det to the Somers.National Archives (Naval Officer Records)
April 22, 1844: det from the On-ka-hy-e. "U.S. Naval Station Charleston, S.C. Apr 22d, 1844
Sir, Enclosed are orders from the Hon Secretary of the Navy you are thereby detached from the U.S.S. On ka hy e. You will therefore proceed without delay to Pensacola.
I am Respectfully, Your Obt Serv't Rich- T. Pinkney Comdn USN Comdn Station
To Pass'd Mid Ben F. B. Hunter U.S. Navy" Navy Order April 14, 1845: Inquiry to Treasury Department, 4th Auditors Office, for payments due officers.Navy Correspondence June 24, 1845: to the Cyane as Acting Master.National Archives (Naval Officer Records) He sailed to the South Pacific on August 10, 1845, and made port calls in Callao, Sandwich Islands and Mazatlan. The USS Cyane's roster in August 1845 shows Benjamin Hunter as the ship's Acting Master.Wilcox, Cadmus M, and Mary R. Wilcox. History of the Mexican War. Washington, D.C: Church News Pub. Co, 1892. March 1846: Transferred to U.S.S. Portsmouth. Hunter was listed in the ship's roster as Acting Master with the 1847 Pacific Squadron.Wilcox, Cadmus M, and Mary R. Wilcox. History of the Mexican War. Washington, D.C: Church News Pub. Co, 1892. The Portsmouth, "Old Poverty",Downey, Joseph T. The Cruise of the Portsmouth. Ed. Howard Lamar. New Haven and London: Yale UP, 1958. first anchored at Monterey at the request of the American Counsel John Larkin, who was concerned for the welfare of the American citizens residing there. The USS Cyane and Levant now back from their mission to Honolulu relieved the Portsmouth of her guard duty and she proceeded to Yerba Buena. The mission was to claim California for the United States if war was declared and assist John Fremont who was in the Sacramento Valley. June 11, 1846: Orders to proceed up Sacramento River and deliver arms and supplies to Fremont's camp. In the Cruise of the Portsmouth Downey tells of the ship's launch being sent to Fremont's camp near the Sacramento River. "New and startling rumors now began to spread about. Capt Fremont had returned to California, had been joined by Lt. Gillespie, who was on a secret mission from the States, and was determined to chastise Castro for his insolence. In furtherance of this plan, he had sent down to us a requisition for money, stores and ammunition and our launch was forewith to be fitted out, and proceed up the Sacramento River, with the necessary supplies. These rumors coupled with the great movements of cleaning, caulking and watering ship fully occupied our time. There for the first time this cruise we had a general wash".Downey, Joseph T. The Cruise of the Portsmouth. Ed. Howard Lamar. New Haven and London: Yale UP, 1958.
Downey's book Filings From An Old Saw describes the departure of the launch..