The annual examination at the National Naval Academy has closed. On the last day, Commodore Perry presented to the Institution the first American flag unfurled in Japan...The following gentlemen were presented with Diplomas, entitling them to the grade of Midshipman...Alexander F. Crossman...
-Milwaukee Daily Sentinel, June 22 1855
The following Passed Midshipmen have been promoted to Masters from the 4th of November, 1858...Edmund O. Matthews...Alex F. Crossman...
-The Charleston (SC) Mercury, November 13, 1858
We know that Matthews was scheduled to enter the Naval Academy in the fall of 1851 and that Crossman graduated in 1855 so I think it's safe to say that they were there at the same time. Also, the fact that they were both promoted at the same time lends some support to the idea that they were commissioned around the same time.
It's possible that the two men knew each other before they were stationed together in St. Louis.
2 comments:
That would be Oliver Hazard Perry, correct? Another tie to Erie, PA :)
I believe that it's Matthew Perry, Oliver's younger brother. Oliver Perry (and I had to look all of this up) died in 1819. The flag is still at Annapolis although it was taken back to Japan and displayed on the Missouri during the surrender ceremony in 1945.
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