His father was an importer of sea-shells, corals, marine
curiosities anal oriental goods, of which he made annual sales in the
chief cities of the country. He took Paul with him and gave him the
first lesson in business. Travel suited Paul immensely; but business was
irksome and the civil war was still raging. Stirring accounts of
the conflicts in the south, and the martial air that pervaded the entire
country, filled Paul's soul with longing to go to the front.
CHAPTER III.
On the morning of April 15th, 1864, young Boyton presented himself at
the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and was enrolled in the United States Navy as a
sailor before the mast. After a few weeks drilling he was transferred to
the United States Steamer, Hydrangea, Captain W. Rogers in command.
Paul was now in his fifteenth year. He had no difficulty in passing the
scrutiny of the enlisting officers. He was of a powerful build and very
muscular. His outdoor life in the woods and on the river made him look
older than he really was. The Hydrangea was ordered to Fortress Monroe,
and Paul received his baptism of fire while the steamer was running up
the James river past Malvern Hill, where a confederate battery was
stationed. Much has been written about the war, and as this is simply a
story of adventure, it will be left to better writers to record war
history many of whom have already described scenes enacted in that
vicinity during the year 1864.
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