I have come upon a very unusual revelation, and, if true, seems most unusual for an American born Naval officer of that period. Former Confederate Naval officer, Beverley Kennon, in a message to the editor of the New York Times, dated Sunday, August 22, 1886, and published in the issue of August 29, 1886, states, and I quote: "Having devoted so many weeks to the study and dissection of my Century article, I, an ex-Mohammedan lately converted to Christianity, would suggest to Mr. Hassler that he now devote as much time to searching the Scriptures, commencing with the ninth verse of the thirty-second chapter of the Psalms of David." At this time Kennon was engaged in a written dispute with Charles W. Hassler, a former Union Navy officer, about the events below New Orleans, in April, 1862.
I am very surprised to see this statement, and would like to find out if it is indeed true, that Kennon had been a Muslim, and had converted to Christianity. If this is the truth, it may also be another unique situation, in relation to an officer of the Confederate States Navy. Can anyone confirm this, please?