Monday, May 20, 2013

James E. "Fighting Jim" Jouett

From Wikipedia.

"Fighting Jim" Jouett (1826-1902)

American Navy in the Mexican War and Civil War.  His grandfather was Revolutionary War hero Jack Jouett and his father Matthew Harris Jouett, a noted American painter.

James Jouett was born 7 February 1826, near Lexington, Kentucky.  He was captured at the beginning of the Civil War at Pensacola, Florida, and after parole, joined the Gulf Blockading fleet off Galveston, Texas.  On November 7-8th, he was on the USS Santee when it captured the Royal Yacht and later he commanded the USS Montgomery and the USS R.R. Cuyler (I have written about these two ships).

In September 1863, he took command of the USS Metacomet.  At the Battle of Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, the Metacomet was lashed to Farragut's flagship, the USS Hartford and later sent off in pursuit of two Confederate gunboats.  The Metacomet riddled the CSS Gaines with shot and captured the CSS Selma.

After the war, Pruett commanded the North Atlantic Squadron in 1884.  He retired in 1890 after brilliant service.  He made his retirement home at "The Anchorage" in Sandy Springs, Maryland, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 1, Site 85 A.

Two destroyers carried his name, one in each world war, and there was a guided missile cruiser.

Quite the Career.  --Old B-Runner

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