It apparently took about a couple months for news to get from the East India Squadron to New York.
Cornelius Stribling
From The New-York Times September 13, 1861:
THE EAST INDIA SQUADRON.
The following general order which has been issued by the East India Squadron by Flag-Officer C.K. STRIB LING, has just reached us: JUNE 30, 1861.
The Commander-in-Chief feels called upon at this time to address those under his command upon the condition of our country.
By the last mail we have authentic accounts of the commencement of “civil war” in the United States, by the attack and capture of Fort Sumter by the forces of the Confederate States.
It is not my purpose to discuss the merits of the cause or causes which have resulted in plunging our country into all the horrors of a “civil war,” but to remind those under my command of their obligations now to a faithful and zealous performance of every duty.
Coming as we do from the various sections of the country, unanimity of opinion on this subject cannot be expected, and I would urge upon all the necessity of abstaining from all angry and inflammatory language upon the causes of the present slate [state?] of things in the United States, and to recollect that here we have nothing to do but to perform the duty of our respective stations, and to obey the orders of our superiors in authority; to this we are bound by the solemn obligations of our oath.
I charge all Commanders and other officers to show in themselves a good example of virtue, honor, patriotism and subordination, and to be vigilant in inspecting the conduct of all such as are placed under their command.
The honor of the nation, of the flag, under which many of us have served from boyhood, our own honor and good name require us now, if over [ever?], that we suffer. No blot upon the character of our country while the flag of the Union is in our keeping.
(Signed) C.K. STRIBLING, Flag-Officer.
As The Times points out in its editorial, Cornelius Stribling was a native South Carolinian. At 15 Stribling joined the US Navy and participated in the War of 1812. His long naval career included a stint as Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy from 1851-53. Stribling remained loyal to the Union and served throughout the war.
