[for the Richmond Dispatch.]
death of Capt. Ward, of Lincoln's Navy.
[by one who knew him well.]
Mr. Editor:--Reading the Dispatch, of June 30th, I was not at all surprised to and announced the death of Yankee Ward, killed by a Virginia ball.
This same Yankee creature spent some months in Norfolk a few years ago, and whilst here received such kind attention and hospitality as Norfolk people have always shown to strangers.
Yes, many a Norfolk ball has he enjoyed, and what return old he make?
by becoming one of our most inveterate enemies.
He it was that promised to destroy Charleston, Norfolk, &c., with the assistance of his sand-bag batteries, on which he had experimented in New York harbor, by having boats protected by them and then firing on them with heavy shot.
But the justice of God, though always sure, is not always so soon exemplified as was in the case of this unfortunate Yankee.
He had gotten to work with his famous sand bags, and not content with doing his duty as Captain of one of the Old Ape's ships, he must do more than was ever expected of a Navy Captain, and rushes to a gun, (to give Virginia a deadly ball in return for the many other balls at which he had participated,) when the hand of God smote the ingrate from existence.
He has now gone before his Maker, and may his base ingratitude and timely retribution, he a warning to all such Yankees.
If there are any more left, let them send all such characters along, and Virginians and their noble associates will show them, as they have always done that they never turn their backs on friends and foes. D. J. W. Norfolk, 4th July, 1861.
