te went out he nobly stood by her; went to
the front, and never grounded his arms until there was nothing left
to fight for. He knew to win would bring honor and safety, and failure
would make him a rebel, and while success on the Northern side gave to
many of his old comrades in arms on that side marble and bronze
statues in the new Pantheon at Washington, yet with the courage of his
convictions, in disaster his only regret was that he did not win. Of
such stern stuff are the cavaliers of Virginia made, and such as these
are yet to lift her from the dust and crown their old mother again
with glory."

"DEATH OF CAPT. JAMES H. ROCHELLE.

"COURTLAND, SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY,

"April 3, 1889.

"On the morning of the 31st of March, after an illness of only one
day, this county, and his many friends, met with a heavy loss in the
death of Capt. James Henry Rochelle. This distinguished soldier was a
veteran of two wars. Euripides, I think it was, said no man should be
called fortunate or happy until he had been placed with his good name
by death beyond the reach of accident or change. Then, indeed, is this
noble soldier happy, for he lived without reproach and died without
fear. Another noble son of Virginia has gone down below the horizon of
time, but his name will be held in sweet remembrance by his old
comrades and his memory cherished and honored by his kinsmen."

Life of Rear Admiral John Randolph Tucker

BY JAMES HENRY ROCHELLE.

PREFATORY NOTE.

In writing this biographical sketch I have performed not a task, but a
labor of love, for I was, during many years, both in times of peace
and of war, intimately associated with the distinguished sailor whose
career I have attempted to trace.

The appendix was added in consequence of letters I received asking for
information in regard to the navigation of the upper Amazon river and
its tributaries, a highway for commerce destined to be much better
known in the near future than it is at present.

J.H.R.
COURTLAND, VIRGINIA,
_July 1, 1888._

PART I.

THE TUCKERS--BIRTH OF JOHN RANDOLPH TUCKER.
BOYHOOD--APPOINTED A MIDSHIPMAN IN THE UNITED STATES
NAVY--FIRST CRUISE--"THE ROARING LADS OF THE
BRANDYWINE"--PASSES EXAMINATION FOR PROMOTION--APPOINTED
A PAST MIDSHIPMAN--PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF
L