George Henry Preble-- Part 2: Life Leading Up to the Civil War

He was in the Seminole War in Florida in 1841, as well as on the USS St. Louis when it circumnavigated the world 1843-1845,  It landed the first American force ashore in China.  In the Mexican war, he participated in the capture of Alvarado, Veracruz and Tuxpan.

Preble became master in 1847 and lieutenant in 1847.  While serving on the USS St. Lawrence, he went with Commodore Matthew C. Perry to Japan in 1853 where he surveyed various Far Wast harbors.

After that he spent a period as a lighthouse inspector and at Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston and then was on the USS Narragansett from 1859-1861.

--Old B-Runner