Douglas R. Cassel

Lieutenant Commander Douglas R. Cassel was a United States Naval Officer and veteran of the American Civil War known for his service to Meiji Japan's armed forces.

Early life and career Douglas Cassel was born in October 1845 Zanesville, Ohio, the fourth child of James W. and Amanda A. Cassel. A celebratory feast was had, where a Winchester rifle, brought along by either Cassel or Wasson, was used to impress the friendly natives with its capacity.

During the expedition Cassel voiced many frustrations with Japanese disobedience and lack of restraint, particularly among the shizoku who understood warfare primarily in the samurai ethos of taking risks to attain honor. In letters to Charles Le Gendre, Cassel referred to General Tani Tateki as a "little imbecile", and also argued with Admiral Noriyoshi Akamatsu for his plans to attack friendly tribes as punishment for an incident where shots were fired at survey boats of the Nisshin, as well as his alleged lack of control over his men.

Cassel was particularly incensed by the Battle of Stone Gate, as he had previously ordered the Japanese forces involved to return, but they instead advanced into the pass which ultimately provoked the battle. Cassel had constructed a plan to march a force through the night to the flanks of Stone Gate and for a smaller force to engage in a diversion there shortly before the main force's arrival, ensnaring the Botan in the process. Ironically, the Japanese did end up flanking the Botan while using their main force at the battle as a distraction as an extemporaneous tactic, resulting in a similar outcome to what Cassel had planned.

In July there was an outbreak of malaria which killed roughly 550 Japanese troops, infecting both Cassel and Wasson. Wasson left the Island relatively early, while Cassel remained until October, when his leave of absence was rescinded by Secretary of the Navy George M. Robeson due to protest from Minister Bingham, a staunch peace advocate who had been unaware of either the Japanese or Cassel's plans to involve him and Wasson in the expedition. Cassel, however, requested to be detached from duty and permitted to return home due to his illness, which was granted.

In May 1875 Cassel returned to Zanesville, his health ruined. While visiting relatives in a Philadelphia suburb, he succumbed to the lingering effects of malaria and died on June 15. His body was returned to Zanesville and buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Cassel's mother Amanda was reliant on him financially, and Captain Edward Y. McCauley along with officers of his ship the USS Lackawanna contacted Minister Bingham to convince him to persuade the Japanese government to pay Cassel's mother a four month's salary for his service, roughly $4,000, in accordance with the employment contract. There is no record of whether McCauley's attempts were successful, but the US government paid Amanda a monthly pension of $30 until she died in 1892.