LIEUTENANT BLUE, OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Atlanta Constitution
Victor Blue was born in Richmond County, North Carolina (now Scotland), December 6, 1865.
A son of Col. John Gilchrist Blue & Annie Marie Evans Blue

Contact: Myrtle Bridges    December 9, 2016

	When the old Confederate veterans meet in Atlanta this month there will be tears of joy shed over 
the victories that southern blood is achieving in the present conflict between this country and Spain. It 
is a pardonable pride that causes the blood in southern veins to leap faster along when the wires flash 
fresh from the field of battle the story of some new and daring exploit executed by a son of the south. 
We of the south have always known the valor of our people, as well as their loyalty to the American eagle; 
but we have been living so long beneath the misrepresentations of northern and eastern political mountebanks 
that the world, especially Spain, has come to look upon us a band of rebels who were waiting only for an 
opportune time to strike a death blow to the stars and stripes.
	When those huge cables which linked Cuba to the outside world were to be cut, it was a southern boy 
who led the schooner up to and beneath the fire of the arms of Cienfuegos-and it was Bagley of North 
Carolina who fell. When Cervera, with his fleet, had anchored within the harbor of Santiago and Admiral 
Sampson wanted the cork put into the bottle, it was a southern boy who planned the work and executed it 
beneath the most deadly fire that has issued from Spanish guns. And as a result Hobson of Alabama is held 
in a Spanish dungeon. When it became necessary for us to communicate with the insurgent general-in-chief, 
Gomez, whose army was on the mainland of Cuba, it was a southern boy who, with 12 picked men, led the 
expedition and ran the gauntlet of Spanish gunboats and Spanish soldiers. And when Admiral Sampson desired 
information concerning the number and position of Cervera's fleet, which was hidden behind the hills in 
the harbor of Santiago, he dispatched this same southern boy to the perilous task of passing the Spanish 
ranks and obtaining a position close enough to the harbor to give him the information desired. He covered 70 
miles on muleback in accomplishing this feat. That boy was Lieut. Victor Blue of South Carolina, executive
officer of the Suwanee with Sampson's fleet off Cuba. He bears the honor of having planted the first American 
flag on Cuban soil, and, therefore a few facts concerning his life may prove interesting.
	Lieut Victor Blue was born in eastern North Carolina about 30 years ago, and is descended from the early Scotch settlers 
of that district. It may be interesting to note in these days when heredity claims such an important part in affairs, that he 
is the son of Col. John Gilchrist Blue, of the Confederate army; the grandson of Col. John Blue of the war of 1812, and the 
great-grandson of Capt. John Blue of the Revolutionary war and of Capt John Gilchrist of the British navy. His father was a 
native of North Carolina and was a member of the body who declared for secession, his vote being cast for the affirmative. 
When his term expired, he raised a company and went to the war, being with Lee in the Army of Northern Virginia until the 
surrender at Appomattox, having attained the rank of colonel.
	Col. Blue moved to Marion when Victor was a baby, so, though he was born in North Carolina, he is a South Carolinian 
every inch of him. It may be interesting to note in this connection that his father studied law under Chief Justice Pearson, 
who was the grand-father of Richmond Pearson Hobson. Lieut. Blue early evinced an inclination for naval affairs by building 
and floating on the old mill-pond of the old homestead boats whittled from the pines of the State, and when he had reached 
the proper age he was sent to the United States Naval academy at Annapolis, from which institution he graduated with honor 
in the class of 1887.
	For the next two years he was with the European squardron on the Pensacola, during which time he made a tour of 
Palestine. He alswo spent several months in northern Africa, visiting the pyramids and other places of interest. Since 
then he has been in south African waters; belonged to the south Atlantic, north and south pacific and the north Atlantic 
squadrons. He was at the Union Iron works and superintended the building of the Oregon, and also performed the same duty 
the construction of the Texas at the Norfolk navy yard. He was in South American waters during several revolutions in that 
country being present at the battle of Managua, Nicaragua, Central America. He went in 1895 on the Thetis, Capt. Hutchins, 
to make a survey of southern California, taking charge of the land survey and exploring a portion of the country which had 
never before been surveyed-locating and naming mountain peaks, streams, etc. The map he made is now being used by the 
secretary of the navy. In addition to this he was stationed for two years, in Honolulu, at the time when cholera raged so.
	The Blue home is at Marion, S.C., a cozy, flower laden place in the black belt of the State, in which lives Victor's 
mother, one brother and two sisters. Mrs. Blue is a daughter of Gen William Evans, whose family have always been prominent 
in South Carolina in times of peace and war, having furnished that State with one governor. In fact Major John Gary Evans 
is now with Fitzhugh Lee at Jacksonville. There are eight children in the family, five girls and three boys, three of the 
girls and one of the boys being married. Rupert, who is two years younger than Lieut. Blue, is in charge of the port of 
Portland, Ore., as chief surgeon; assistant editor of the Medical News and deliveres lectures in the hospitals. He married 
Miss Juliette Downs of Galveston, Tex., whose father is at present superintendent of the Western Alabama railway. The 
remaining sons superintend the old plantation in the beautiful rolling black belt of eastern South Carolina. Miss Kate 
Lilly Blue, the elder of the unmarried girls, is a popular contributor to the Sunny South. Her sister Henriette, being 
the youngest of the family, is the pet of the home, and is a constant joy to all; her radiant beaming and happy face 
being always wreathed with smiles of contentment and joyful peace. Solon H. Bryan. 
Source: The Anderson intelligencer. (Anderson Court House, S.C.), 13 July 1898

BLUE'S SELECTION MEETS WITH FAVOR
According to Old Officers is Main Qualification for Position
Born In This State
His Position Ranks Next to Secretary and Assistant Secretary of Navy-Big Importance
(By H.F.C. Bryant)
	Washington. March 29.-The appointment of Commander Victor Blue to the position of chief of the bureau of navigation, the most 
important bureau in the navy, in causing much favorable comment, Mr. Blue has won his rank by real service. Secretary Daniels made 
a popular selection.
	Although Commander Blue is credited to South Carolina, he is a native of North Carolina. His parents moved to the Palmetto State 
after he was born.
	Victor Blue was born in Richmond county (now Scotland), December 6, 1865. He is a brother of Surgeon General Rupert Blue, of the 
United States public health service.
	John Gilchrist Blue, father of Victor Blue, married Miss Annie Evans, a daughter of General William Evans, of Marion, South Carolina. 
He was a member ot the North Carolina legislature at the beginning of the Civil War and afterwards served as a lieutenant of Company F., 
Seventh North Carolina Regiment, Confederate States army. He was in Pickett's division  and served in all the big battles of Virginia, 
receivina a slight wound in the Battle of the Wilderness.
	John Blue, grandfather of Victor Blue was a captain in command of a company of North Carolina volunteers in the War of 1812.
	The Blues are of Scotch decent and have lived in North Carolina since the early part of the eighteenth century. There are now, in 
Scotland county, several well-known families of Blues. John and Angus Blue are well-to-to cotton farmers.
	In 1870 John Gilchrist Blue moved to Marion, where his sife's people lived, and it was from South Carolina that Commander Blue won 
an appointment to the naval Academy by competitive examination in 1883, graduating from that institution in 1887.
	October 17, 1899 Commander Blue married Elenor Foote Stuart, of Morristown, N.J., daughter of John Stuart, and grand daughter of 
General David Stuart, of Detroit. Mrs. Stuart, mother of Mrs. Blue, was Louise Foote, a daughter of John T Foote, of Morristown, formerly 
of Cincinati. Her maternal ancestors were Kentucky people, including the Wards and Taylors of Newport.
	Commander Blue's father was on Wade Hampton's staff as colonel, and became a member of the famous Wallace House, which ousted the 
carpet-baggers. He was a member of the juciciary committee.

TO GARCIA'S CAMP
	Victor Blue is not the man who carried the famous message to Garcia but did go to Garcia's famp on one of his scouting tours 
which revealed the presence of Cervera's fleet in the harbor at Santiago. The present present-elect of Cuba, Senor Menocal, was 
at camp and fitted young Blue out with a mule and a guide. This was on the second occasion and the most dangerous of the two. The 
purpose was to take a prepared chart and dot the position of the ships of Cercera, as Sampson was planning a night attack with 
torpedo boats.
	(Blue had found on the first scouting that the Merrimac, sunk by Hobson, had not blocked the harbor.)
	Blue and guides crawled in between the Spanish trenches, about a mile apart, and after getting behind them, went on to the bay, 
a distance of several miles. At times he was near enough to hear the Spanish soldiers talking in the trenches. The trip was made 
in the day time. Through several open places he crawled through grass waist high, suffering an attack of heat prostration, from 
which, however he soon recovered.
	He spent an hour on a high hill overlooking the bay in locating the ship, of which there were the armored cruisers, Cristobal 
Colon, maria Maria Teresa, Oquendo and Viscaya, and the two destroyers, Pluton and Furor. He had passed trencees manned by Spanish 
soldiers to the westward, and the foot of the hill just below his point of observation there was a garrison of 500 Spanish soldiers. 
The six Cuban soldiers with him, as guides, were extremely anxious to make a pot shot or two at these Spaniards, and it was with 
difficulty that Blue restrained them. Several times he had to snatch away their guns to prevent this suicidal rashness.
	The success of his enterprise hinged about a rather amusing episode. Menocal had sent him to Colonel Cebreco, in command of a 
Cuban battalion which had not for two years been out of touch with the Spanish army. He had had a fight that vey day and Blue saw 
a number of wounded soldiers lying in the camp. When he made known his mission Cebreco cursed and swore and bedamned if he would 
risk his men in any such hazardous enterprise. When he finished his tirade, and cooled off, he invited Blue to alight from his mule 
and have a cup of coffee. While this was being made, Blue pulled out a bottle of whiskey, which the surgeon had given him to take 
along for medical purposes (and there are snakes in Cuba too). Colonel Cebreco's eyes fairly danced when Blue asked him if he would 
not drink to Cuba Libre. Blue poured Cebreco's tumbler full of the sparkling beverage, while he put but a spoonful in his own glass. 
Again he proposed a toast to "Cuba and the United States, allies against the tyranny of Spain." Cebreco needed another tumbler full 
to do justice to this sentiment, and by this time he was asking Blue what he could do for him. Blue asked for one guide who knew the 
lay of the land and Cebreco said that by all that was holy is should not be less than a sergeant and five ment.
	Commander and Mrs. Blue have one child, John Stuart Blue, who is in his tenth year. They live at the Wyonimg apartment. 
	Source: The Farmer and Mechanic. volume (Raleigh, N.C.), 01 April 1913

VICTOR BLUE AT SANTIAGO HARBOR
The Present Chief of the Bureau of Navigation a Distinguished Spanish War Veteran.

	The two most daring exploits of the Spanish-American War were the attempt of Lieutenant Hobson to bottle up the Spanish fleet 
in the harbor of Santiago and Lieutenant Victor Blue's reconnoitering tours around Santiago to locate the Spanish fleet and ascertain 
the number of ships composing it and their location whithin the harbor. In both of these exploits the people of North Carolina felt 
more than a patriotic interest. They felt a deep personal interest, for both were performed by men of North Carolina blood, one ow 
whom was of North Carolina birth.
	Commander Blue was born in Richmond county (now Scotland), North Carolina, on December 6, 1865. he was the son of John Gilchrist Blue 
whose forbears lived in that section of the State since the early part of the eighteenth century. His father was a lawyer by profession, 
and was a member of the Legislature of North Carolina at the breaking out of the Civil War, and afterwards served as a lieutenant in 
Company F. of the Seventh North Carolina Regiment in General Pickett's division.
	In 1870 John G. Blue moved his family to Marion, South Carolina, the home of his wife's people. There Victor Blue won an appointment 
to the Naval Academy by competitive examination in 1883, and graduated from that institution in 1887. The breaking out of the war with 
Spain found him a lieutenant in the navy serving as executive officer on board the U.S.S. "Suwanee," Captain Delehanty. The first active 
duty of the "Suwanee" was to convey the steamer "Gussie," loaded with munitions of war for the Cuban army, from key West to the Cuban 
coast, and deliver this war material to the Cuban army under General Gomez. It was first necessary to ascertain the where-abouts of 
General Gomez. It was believed that he could be located somewhere near the coast of the Bay of Buena Vista, which lay between the 
mainland of Cuba and a number of small islets, or cays, on the north. At the head of this bay was Cayboreim, the headquarters of a 
large Spanish garrison. Gunboats patroled the bay in order to prevent communication between the Cuban forces on shore and American 
vessels at sea. Leaving the "Gussie," anchored on the Bahama nbanks, the "Suwanee" proceeded to reconnoiter the Cuban coast. Upon 
arriving at Frances Cay, the entrance to Buena Vista Bay, the smoke of the gunboats on patrol could be seen. It was ascertained, 
however, that the water on the bar would not permit the entrance of vessels of the "Suwanee's" draft.
	It was then decided to send in an armed boat to communicate with General Gomez and arrange a time and place for landing the war 
supplies. The distance to Gomez's camp was twenty miles by a devious route through the cays and across the Bay of Buena Vista. At 
sunset, on May 31, 1898, the boat set out from the "Suwanee," and at nightfall began winding its way though the cays with muffled 
oars. The crew consisted of Lieutenant Blue, in charge; Senor Jova, a Cuban commissioner; ten sailors from the "Suwanee," and a local 
Cuban pilot.
	"This total of thirteen," says Admiral Blue, in his interesting account of this expedition, written especially for the Review, 
"caused some concern among the sailors until a little Irishman among the crew reminded them that there were thirteen original States 
in the Union, and thirteen stripes in the flag. As the boat proceeded on its course, signal fires were built on the islands near which 
it passed, indicating that the Spaniards were on the alert. Without mishap, however, the boat approached the Cuban mainland about 1 a.m., 
and all hands were glad to see the friendly signal of three bon-fires, which marked the location of the Cuban army. After some delay 
caused by the necessity of positive identification, the boat was permitted to approach the landing. The Cuband soldiers enthusiastically 
rushed into the water and bore the Americans ashore along with their flag which was planted on Cuban soil, amidst deafening shouts of 
"Viva Los Americanos!" "Viva Los Estados Unidos!" It was pathetic to see the demonstrations of joy exhibited by these patriots when 
they realized that the great American nation had come to their assistance at last.
	"General Gomez happened to be absent at the time, and so arrangements were made with his chief of staff for landing the "Gussie's" 
cargo. The Americans were warned that the coming of dawn should find them safely across the ten miles of expanse of Buena Vista Bay, or 
they would be seen and captured by the Spanish gunboats that patroled those waters. Thus far this little party had come without an exciting 
incident, but they were destined to have some spirited adventures before they set forth upon their ship again. The first of these was when 
crossing the bay they ran almost upon a Spanish gunboat before it was discovered in the darkness. The watch, however, must not have been 
alert as the American boat managed to escape without apparently being observed. This necessitated steering a course far away from the 
direct one which led to the place of rendezcous with the "Suwanee."
	"Daylight found the Americans in the shoal waters of the cays fully twenty miles from their ship and safety. The breeze had died out 
and there was a glassy sea. The tropical sun rose in a cloudless sky, and its penetrating rays soon began to tell upon the energy of those 
at the oars. Keeping a sharp lookout for two patrol sloops that were know to cruise in those shallow waters, the boat continued to wind 
its way through the many little islands covered with a thick growth of mangrove trees. Suddenly, the masts of the two sloops were sighted 
high ahead above the tops of the mangrove trees. They were quietly lying at anchor in a little cove behind an island. The drooping spirits 
of the men, brought on by the long and tiresome pull at the oars were instantly revived into expectant animation. Every Jack of them was 
filled with a desire to fight rather than run away. Apparently, the Spaniards had not yet discovered the approach of the boat, causing the 
odds against it to be somewhat counter-balanced by the possibility of surprise. At any rate, this chance was taken, and the decision made 
to attack and take them by boarding. Pulling cautiously around the point of the island, the Americans opened a vigorous fire upon the first 
sloop which was captured. Leaving some men to cut her cable and take her out to sea, the Americans headed for the other sloop about a 
hundred yards away. Strange to say, her decks seemed deserted, which made it appear that her crew, seeing the fate of the other craft, 
had made better preparation for receiving the attacking party by taking cover behind hatch-coverings and bulwarks. This looked ominous, 
but it was too late to turn back; so the attacking party went on with dedoubled efforts to get alongside as quickly as possible, keeping 
up a rapid fire in the meantime. Suddenly a man was seen to rush on deck from below. He hesitated a moment and then took a plunge into 
the water to leeward and swam for the shore which was close aboard. He was a large fat man, and the splash he made reached high above the 
sides of the sloop. This caused a peal of laughter among the Americans, not only because of the ludicrous performance of the fat Spaniard, 
but also because the tense strain on their nerves was broken. Expecting to receive a volley of Mauser bullets from riflemen they could not 
see, they were witnesses, instead, to the spectable of a fat man trying to fly without wings. Who would not have felt joyous under the same 
circumstances? The Cuban pilot knew him. He was the captain in command. When it was sure that he was the only may on the sloop the Americans 
ceased their fire. When last seen he was crawling from the water into the chaparal of mangrove trees on the beach. It is hoped that he was 
unhurt, but there was no time to investigate.
	"The woods were full of Spaniards, and one could not be sure that they had not so far recovered from their fright as to return and 
open fire from the dense cover of th chaparal near at hand. There was not time to lose. The sloop was gotten underway and taken out, while 
a desultory fire was kept up on the woods, just as a reminder to the Spaniards to keep on the run. After rejoining the first prize outside 
it became apparent why the second sloop attacked had no one on board but the captain. It was breakfast time, and all the crew had gone to 
the other sloop to indulge in their morning meal. This was evidenced from the large number of men seen on her deck when the attack was made, 
and from finding unbreached a large pot of rice and mutton stew as well as a large time of steaming coffee. As the Americans expected to 
return to their ship before morning no provisions other than hard tack had been provided, and consequently this Spanish breakfaast with 
steaming coffee was most welcome to them after a night and half a day of unnecessary vigilance and toil. Another source of satisfaction 
to them was the capture of a complete heliograph signal outfit whose signal flashes had been observed the night before betraying their 
presence to the gunboat inside."
	"Boatswain's Mate Purcell, an old sailor who had seen service in the Civil War, was place in charge of one of the sloops. He was 
much elated at finally getting a command, and rejoiced in distinguishing himself from the others by wearing the Spanish captain's cap 
and coat."
	"After the little episode of the morning in which good luck if not Providence played the most conspicuous part, the armed boat's 
crew along with the two prizes stood out to sea, and in due time arrived alongside the "Suwanee" where they were received with rousing 
cheers by the other members of the ship's crew who deemed themselves not so fortunate as the "luck thirteen."
	After finishing her duties on the north coast of Cuba, the "Suwanee" proceeded to the south coast and joined Admiral Sampson's fleet 
in blockading the harbor of Santiago. She was detailed on the inner line of patrol and was constantly in active service. It was during 
this period of blockade the Lieutenant Blue, on two occasions at the request of Admiral Sampson, went through the Spanish lines to the 
harbor and obtained information about the Spanish ships inside. This was one by scouting while in uniform, and not as a spy as is generally 
elieved. During these scouting trips he was sometimes near enough to Spanish soldiers to hear them talk, and had several narrow escaped 
from capture.
	The following letters show the estimate placed by Lieutenant Blue's superior officers on his skill and heroism displayed in these 
exploits, and the importance of the results acomplished. Sailor's Snug Hargor, New Brighton, N.Y. October 6, 1898 
(See letters in  this source: The Farmer and Mechanic. volume (Raleigh, N.C.), 08 April 1913

UNCLE SAM'S HOSPITAL
A Temporary Change of Surgeons in Charge Made at Charleston.
	The Charleston (S.C.) Evening Post, in its issue of December 19, says:
	"Through the constant changes which the United States government seems to consider necessary in order to promote the efficiency 
of its various departmental representatives, Charleston now has the honor of a brief visit from Dr. Rupert Blue of Marion, assistant 
surgeon in the United States marine hospital service, ranking lieutenant in the United States Navy. He has been appointed marine surgeon 
for the port of Charleston, Southern Atlantic L.L. Williams, who has been granted a twenty days' leave of absence. Dr. Blue's last 
appointment was to the command of the service at the port of Galveston, Tex., wher he spent over two years, establishing for himself 
an enviable reputation among the physicians and surgeons of Galveston and the different hospital staffs. He was thrown into the pleasantest 
social relations with all the people, who were quite loath to part with him when he was transferred to another port.
	"His views of the society of Galveston are very flattering to the people, evidencing polish and refinement, together with a genuineness 
of sentiment and generosity of disposition which makes that city most thoroughly agreeable as a place of residence. Dr. Blue's first stay 
in Charleston was made a number of years ago, when he came here from his birthplace, Marion, S.C., and spent some time in a drug store 
learning the use of medicines. Later he attended medical lectures, both at the university of Virginia and the university of Maryland, 
graduating with distinction from the latter institution in 1891. Shortly after he passed his examination for the position of assistant 
surgeon in the United States navy and was sppointed forst to Cincinnatti, O., next, Cairo, Ill, and then to Galveston."
	"Dr. Blue is a son of the late Colonel J. G. Blue of marion, S.C., at one time prominently identified with South Carolina politics, 
having been a member of the judiciary committee of the famous Wallace house, which assembled in Columbia in 1876. One of Dr. Blue's brothers 
is an ensign in our navy, being now engaged in preparing charts of the coast of lower California for the hydrographic office in Washington. 
He is considered one of the most magnificent specimens of manhood in any navy on the globe. Dr. Blue speaks in complimentary terms of our 
naval constructors, graduates of the naval academy at Annapolis, who have revolutionized the art of shipbuilding, making our own American 
vessels model engines of destruction and superior in every detail of construction and management to the war vessels of other countries."
Source: Galveston Daily News [Houston, Texas] 25 Dec. 1894

BLUE-DOWNS
Miss Juliette Downs Married to Dr. Rupert Blue in Chicago
	Miss Juliette Downs, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. T. Downs of this city, and Dr. Rupert Blue of the United States marine service, 
formerly stationed at Galveston, later at Charleston, now stationed at San Francisco, were married in Chicago Monday night at St. Mary's 
church. The marriage was quite a surprise to the many friends of both the young people in Galveston.
	Miss Downs is, or rather was up to the hurs of her wedding, a member of the Tom Keene company, and an Associated Press dispatch was 
received at the News office yesterday regarding the marriage. It was shown to the father of the bride, who is master of transportation of 
the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe. Mr. Downs said that his daughter became engaged to Dr. Blue last fall and it was decided that a marriage 
should take place at the close of Miss Downs' engagement with the Keene company this spring. The transfer of Dr. Blue from Galveston to 
Charleston and from Charleston to San Francisco recently had simply changed the plans of the couple, and by mutual agreement the theatrical 
engagement of Miss Downs was abruptly terminated and the marriage took place. Mrs. Downs was in Chicago visiting her daughter at the time. 
Mr. and Mrs. Blue left at once for San Francisco, where the doctor has been stationed for three years.
	Mrs. Blue, nee Downs, early had a liking for the stage and made her first professional appearance a year ago last fall, much against 
the wishes but with the consent of her parents. Her work has always been well received and her position with the Keene company amply 
testifies to her ability. During the Keene engagement in Galveston this season a theater party was given in her honor by her admirers.
	The groom was a social favorite during his two years' residence in this city and the match meets with the approbation of the large 
circle of friends of both the high contracting parties. Source: Galveston Daily News [Houston, Texas] 6 Mar. 1895

 SOME PEOPLE
	Miss Kate Lilly Blue, sister of Dr. Rupert Blue, who married Miss Downs, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P.T. Downs, will spend a portion 
of the winter in Galveston, the guest of her brother's wife's parents. Miss Blue is a southern girl, being a resident of Marion, S.C. 
She has in press a novel with the title "The Hand of Fate," which purports to be a romance of the navy. Miss Blue, though young in years, 
has already won a place among the short story writers and this, her first book, will be awaited with interest. 
Source: Galveston Daily News [Houston, Texas] 27 Oct. 1895

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