Civil War Union Naval Officer. He had a forty-five year career as an officer in the United States Navy, being first commissioned as a Midshipman on January 1, 1818. He rose through the ranks serving in Navy squadrons stationed off Brazil, in the West Indies, and in the Pacific, being promoted to Lieutenant on March 3, 1827, and to Commander on June 4, 1844. In 1843 he was appointed to his command, the schooner "USS Shark" in the Pacific Squadron (a ship that was once commanded by naval legend Matthew C. Perry), helming the vessel until 1844. After serving in administrative positions on land in the years leading up to the Mexican War, he was appointed commander of a five vessel squadron during that conflict, serving also as Military Governor of the Tabasco Province in Mexico. During the 1850s he commanded the "USS Princeton" in the Home Squadron, and was promoted to Captain on September 14, 1855. When the Civil War started he volunteered for sea duty, and was giving command of the Union screw-steamer gunboat "USS Monticello" in April 1861, leading it in the naval action against Confederate shore batteries at Sewell's Point, Norfolk, Virginia from May 18 to May 21, 1961, which was one of the first naval engagements of the war. He would then command the "USS Santee" in the Gulf Squadron before being promoted to Commodore on July 16, 1862. Placed on the Retired List on January 1, 1863, he would still render service as a Naval Prize Commissioner in New York City, New York and as Inspector of Light Houses through the end of the Civil War. After the end of the conflict he became prominent in veteran's associations, and served as head of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States' New York Commandery for two years.
Civil War Union Naval Officer. He had a forty-five year career as an officer in the United States Navy, being first commissioned as a Midshipman on January 1, 1818. He rose through the ranks serving in Navy squadrons stationed off Brazil, in the West Indies, and in the Pacific, being promoted to Lieutenant on March 3, 1827, and to Commander on June 4, 1844. In 1843 he was appointed to his command, the schooner "USS Shark" in the Pacific Squadron (a ship that was once commanded by naval legend Matthew C. Perry), helming the vessel until 1844. After serving in administrative positions on land in the years leading up to the Mexican War, he was appointed commander of a five vessel squadron during that conflict, serving also as Military Governor of the Tabasco Province in Mexico. During the 1850s he commanded the "USS Princeton" in the Home Squadron, and was promoted to Captain on September 14, 1855. When the Civil War started he volunteered for sea duty, and was giving command of the Union screw-steamer gunboat "USS Monticello" in April 1861, leading it in the naval action against Confederate shore batteries at Sewell's Point, Norfolk, Virginia from May 18 to May 21, 1961, which was one of the first naval engagements of the war. He would then command the "USS Santee" in the Gulf Squadron before being promoted to Commodore on July 16, 1862. Placed on the Retired List on January 1, 1863, he would still render service as a Naval Prize Commissioner in New York City, New York and as Inspector of Light Houses through the end of the Civil War. After the end of the conflict he became prominent in veteran's associations, and served as head of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States' New York Commandery for two years.
Bio by: RPD2
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