Friday, March 16, 2012

Lt. Thomas Pelot, CSN: Early Career

From Feb. 15, 2011, Charleston (SC) Post and Courier by Gary Nichols of the Citadel.

Thomas Pelot graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1853 at the age of 17. At the onset of the Civil War, he resigned his commission and became a lieutenant in the Confederate States Navy.

Assigned command of the iron rug Lady Davis in Charleston Harbor, he captured the USS A.B. Thompson and took her to Beaufort, South Carolina.

Promoted to first lieutenant, he was placed in command of the floating battery CSS Georgia as part of the Savannah Squadron commanded by Flag Officer William W. Hunter. Late in 1864, he was placed in command of an expedition to seize and capture an enemy vessel reportedly anchored at the mouth of the Little Ogeechee Eiver, south of Savannah.

His force consisted of 12 officers and 115 men selected from the crews of the Georgia, ironclad Savannah and gunboat Sampson.

A Daring Deed in the Planning. --Old B-Runner

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