Charles K. Mallory's Brothers

From Find-a-Grave.

These people were buried at Saint John's Church Cemetery in Hampton, Virginia, unless otherwise noted. 

CHARLES KING MALLORY, JR. was the oldest child.

Born: 21 Nov 1844

Died: 1 June 1863

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EDMUND SKINNER MALLORY

Born: 22 Sep 1846, Hampton, Va.

Died: 1903 (aged 56-57), Jackson, Tn

Buried:  Riverside Cemetery, Jackson, Tn.

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ENS STEVENSON BLOUNT MALLORY  (Ensign)

Birth: 15 June 1856

Died 14 Nov 1878 (aged 22)

Buried:  Frederiksted, Santa Cruz, West Indies

U.S. Navy and USNA graduate.

--Old B-R'er

Navy Medal of Honor Recipient Henry Schutes-- Part 4: Not One, But Two Medals of Honor

Henry Schutes received Medals of Honor for both actions.  This was a new honor created in1861.  t the time of the actions, Schutes was 58, making him the oldest Medal of Honor winner.

It is not clear when he left the Navy, but according to the Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia, a register of employees at the USNA showed him employed there as a civilian watchman in 1865.  At some point in the mid-1870s, he moved to Philadelphia to the Naval Asylum, which was a home and hospital for retired seamen.

He broke a leg in 1889, but "refused to keep his splint in place and grew increasingly belligerent about eating."  He died on September 10, 1889 and was buried at Mount Moriah.

The cemetery attributes his death to "general failure of willpower."

--Old B-R'er

David D. Wemple, USN-- Part 4: One of His Brothers Died in the War Also

From the US Naval Academy  Memorial Hall.

David Duane Wemple was admitted to the USNA from Wisconsin  from Wisconsin on September  24, 1858, at the age of  15 years, 3 months.

Three of his brothers served during the Civil War.; one was killed in action in March 1863.  (Actually died of a disease in Memphis, more on this in a later post in this blog.

David Wemple is listed as killed in action on the  panel in front of Memorial Hall (USNA) and is buried in Wisconsin.

--Old B-Runner

This Veterans Day: In Honor of David D. Wemple, Lt. USN, Killed at Fort Fisher

I will be devoting seven of my blogs to Veterans Day 2021 today.

From the USNA Memorial Hall.

DAVID D. WEMPLE

BIRTH: June 21, 1843

DEATH:  December 24, 1864

AGE: 21

David Duane Wemple was admitted to the Naval Academy from Wisconsin on September 24, 1858, at the age of 15 years, 3 months.

From Find A Grave.

BIRTH:  21 June 1843  Steuben County, New York

DEATH:  24 December 1864  (aged 21)  Fort Fisher North Carolina

BURIAL:  Emerald Grove Cemetery   Emerald Grove, Wisconsin  (Lot 8, Grave 4)

--Old B-Runner

J.R.M. Mullany-- Part 3: Arm Amputation and War Service

During the Battle of Mobile, the USS Oneida was one of the hardest-hit Union ships.  One shot inflicted a severe loss of the ship and wounded  Mullany in several places.  One of those wounds resulted in the amputation of his left arm.

From April to September 1863, Mullany had commanded a division of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron and during the course of the war, he captured eleven blockade runners of a great aggregate value, and, in addition, cut out, with boats, two schooners laden with cotton in the harbor of Galveston, Texas..  

From May 1865 to May 1868, he was  inspector in charge of ordnance  in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Commissioned captain in 1866, and was one of the  board of visitors to the U.S. Navy Academy at Annapolis in 1868.  Then, from December 1868 to November 1871, he commanded he USS Richmond on the European Station

--Old B-Runner

Some More on Charles V. Gridley-- Part 1

Back in June, I was writing about Charles V. Gridley and his service in the United States Navy, including the Civil War.  He was probably most famous as being the recipient of George Dewey's command, "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley." at the Battle of Manila Bay which was a huge American victory during the Spanish-American War.

I have come across some more information on his Civil War service and will include it here.

From "The Spanish-American War Centennial Website, Capt. Charles V. "Steve" Gridley.

He was just 16 when appointed to the USNA and graduated in 1864 in the bottom half of his class, which also included future notables Robley Evans and  Charles Sigsbee (who was in command of the USS Maine when it blew up in Havana Harbor).  Both of these men were at the Battles of Fort Fisher.

His first assignment was on the USS Oneida in Farragut's fleet where he got his baptism of fire at the Battle of Mobile Bay.  He would not  experience such a large action again for thirty-four years, at Manila Bay.

--Old B-Runner

John Julius Guthrie, Jr.-- Part 1: Son of John J. Guthrie and Brother of B.W. Guthrie, CSN

From "Civil War Biographies from Western Waters" by Myron J. Smith, Jr..

JOHN JULIUS GUTHRIE, JR.

(1844, Portsmouth, Virginia-  December 3, 1903, Norfolk County, Virginia.)

Confederate States Navy

Son of John Julius Guthrie and brother of Benjamin Wilburne  Guthrie.

This D.C. resident (District of Columbia?) was appointed an acting US Navy  midshipman in the fall of  1859, and was sent  to the USNA the following summer.

Following the opening of he Civil War in April 1861, Guthrie resigned from the Federal service and was appointed a  Confederate States Navy master's mate on September 26, 1861.

--Old B-Runner

USS Marblehead-- Part 4: Actions on the Stono River and Four Medals of Honor.

Back on the Stono River with the USS Pawnee by November, the Marblehead provided cover as U.S. Army troops sank piles as obstructions in the river above Legareville, South Carolina, on November 24.  

The next month, on Christmas Day, Confederate batteries, in an attempt to chase the Marblehead and Pawnee away, opened fire.  The Marblehead suffered some twenty hits but was able to capture two of the enemy's eight-inch  seacoast howitzers

Four of her sailors were awarded the Medal of Honor for action in the last action on the Stono River.  They were contraband Robert  Blake, Boatswain's Mate William Farley, Quartermaster  James Miller and Landsman Charles Moore.

On June 2, 1964, the Marblehead became a practice ship for midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy located in Newport, Rhode Island.  After just a month, she resumed her blockading duties for five months before returning to the Academy as a practice ship.

After this, she  went to the Washington Navy Yard where the Marblehead was decommissioned  19 September  1866.  Recommissioned  the following month, she was assigned to the North Atlantic Squadron where she operated in the Caribbean for the next two years.

On 18 August 1868, the Marblehead went to New York Navy Yard, was decommissioned  4 September and sold  30 September.

--Old B-Runner

Edward Simpson, USN-- Part 6: Quite Busy During the Mexican War

His first service in the Navy was as a midshipman aboard the sloop of war USS Decatur on patrol along the coast of Brazil in 1840.  The next assignment was on board the frigate USS Congress  in the Mediterranean and Brazil squadrons.  Both of these ships saw service during the Civil War.

After a year on the station, he attended the new U.S. Naval Academy as a member of its first graduating class.

His Class of 1846, had 47 graduates and he was promoted to the rank of passed midshipman.  His next service  was aboard the USS Vixen during the Mexican War.  He was present at the attacks on the Mexican forts of Alvarado under Commodore Conner, and at two attacks on Tabasco under Commodore Perry, at the capture of Tampico.

Next, was the siege of Vera Cruz.

After the war, he returned to the Brazil Squadron and a short time later returned to the naval academy, this time as an instructor.

--Old B-Runner

Edward Simpson, USN-- Part 2: Civil War Service

After graduation from the Academy on July 9, 1846, he reported to the USS Vixen and participated in numerous bombardments during the Mexican War.  During the next fifteen years,  he served afloat in the Brazil Squadron and the China Squadron and was involved with the U.S. Coast Survey.

Afterwards he served ashore for two tours of duty at the U.S. Naval Academy, first as gunnery instructor and then in 1860 as the head of the Department of Ordnance and Gunnery.

CIVIL WAR SERVICE

In May 1861, he moved with the USNA to Newport, Rhode Island,  where it stayed for the remainder of the war.  In 1862, he became the Commandant of Midshipmen.

In June 1863, he took command of the monitor USS Passaic and participated in the bombardments of Charleston, S.C., from July to November 1863.  Then from July to December 1864, he commanded the USS Isonomia in the East Gulf Blockading Squadron.  (I am of the thought that something must have happened because going from command of a monitor to a ship such as the Isonomia would seem to be a demotion.  Lt. L.D.D.Voorhees was in command of the Isonomia when it captured the blockade runner George Douthwaite on May 8, 1865, which is how I ended up doing research on the USS Isonomia and Edward Simpson.)

From February to June 1865 he was Fleet Captain of the West Coast Blockading Squadron and of the forces attacking Mobile, Alabama.

--Old B-R'er

Edward Simpson, USN-- Part 1

The USS Isonomia's first officer was Lt.Cmdr. Edward Simpson.

From Wikipedia.

EDWARD SIMPSON

(March 3, 1824 to December 1, 1888)

Officer in U.S. Navy during Mexican War and Civil War.  Attained rank of rear admiral.  Was commanding officer of several warships and had various shore assignments.

He was born in New York City.

Appointed midshipman in the U.S. Navy shortly before his sixteenth birthday in 1840 and served afloat until 1845 when he became a member of the first class of midshipmen at the new United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

--Old B-Runner

Sailing Master / Master-- Part 2: Making Sense of a Confusing Mess

Master, originally sailing master,  was a historic warrant officer rank of the United States Navy, above that of midshipman , after 1819 passed midshipman, after 1862 ensign and below lieutenant.

Some masters were appointed to command ships, with the rank of master  commandant.  In 1837,  sailing master was renamed master, master commandment was renamed commander, and some masters were commissioned as officers, formally "master in line of promotion" to distinguish them from warrant masters who could not be promoted.

After 1855, passed midshipmen who were graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy filled the position of master.  Both the commissioned officer rank of master and warrant rank of master were maintained until both were merged into the current rank of lieutenant , junior grade on 3 March 1883.

In 1862, masters wore a gold bar for rank insignia, which became a silver bar in 1877.  In 1881, they started wearing  sleeve  stripes of 1/2  inch and 1/4 inch wide strip of gold lace, still used for the rank of lieutenant, junior grade.

OK, So You Know.  --Old B-Runner

Ralph Chandler, USN-- Part 2: Among the First At USNA

From Wikipedia.

RALPH CHANDLER  (23 August  1829-- 9 February 1889)

Was a Rear Admiral of the United States Navy .  He saw action in the Mexican War and the Civil War and later served as commander of the U.S. Asiatic Squadron.

Born in Batavia, New York and  joined the Navy as a midshipman  17 September 1845 and was sent to the Naval Academy.  (The USNA was established October  10, 1845, so he would have been one of the very first classes to attend it.)

After graduation, he was assigned to the USS Independence, flagship of the U.S. Pacific Squadron where he took part in operations during the Mexican War and was involved in two engagements near Mazatlan.

Then he served on the sloop Vincennes 1849-1850 and  promoted to Passed midshipman in 1851.  Then, a tour of duty  at the Naval Academy in 1852 and service aboard the sloop St. Louis in the Mediterranean Sea until 1855 when he was promoted to master and then lieutenant.

--Old B-Runner

The Confederate States Naval Academy-- Part 2: Set Up Like USNA

In general, the curriculum, studies and discipline at the new school was patterned after that of the United States Naval Academy.  The training was truly realistic as the midshipmen were regularly called upon to take part in actual combat.

When they left  the academy they were seasoned veterans.

Commander John M. Brooke, CSN, wrote Navy Secretary Mallory about the midshipmen as follows:  "Though but from 14 to 18 years of age, they eagerly seek every opportunity presented for engaging in hazardous enterprises; and those who are sent upon them uniformly exhibit good discipline, conduct, and courage."

--Old B-Runner

A Fort Fisher Connection at the USNA Cemetery: Where Sen. McCain Will Be Buried This Week

We lost one of the great Americans and a hero in every aspect a few weeks ago, Senator John McCain.

He is to be buried at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland , this week.  This cemetery also has a Fort Fisher connection.

Lt. Samuel W. Preston, who was killed in action at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865, is buried there.

In addition, William B. Cushing, he sank the CSS Albemarle, was a constant thorn in the side to the Confederates of the Wilmington area with his excursions and was in the Naval Brigade in its attack on Foirt Fisher along with Lt. Preston, but was not killed, is buried there.

--Old B-Runner

The USS Wyandank, Aaron Anderson's Ship

From Wikipedia.

Last month I was writing about a black sailor from this ship by the name of Aaron Anderson who received a Medal of Honor for his actions at Mattox Creek, Virginia in March 1865.  I'd never heard of the ship.

USS Wyandank (1847)

Acquired by Navy 12 December 1861.  Out of service circa 1879

132'5" long, 31'5" beam.  Mounted two 12-pdr. guns.

Wooden-hulled, sidewheel ferry boat built in New York City in 1847.  Sometimes documented as the Wyandanck.  Acquired from the Union Ferry Company of New York City.

Used as a store ship for the Potomac Flotilla.


After the war, the ship was stationed in Annapolis, Md., and served into the 1870s as  a floating barracks for the U.S. Marines assigned to the USNA.

Broken up there in 1879.

--Old B-Runner

July 18, 1862: USNA Open for Navy "Boys"

JULY 18TH, 1862:  Secretary of Navy Welles notified Flag Officers commanding squadrons of a bill authorizing the President to appoint annually three midshipmen to the Naval Academy from the enlisted boys of the Navy.

"They must be of good moral character, able to read and write well, writing from dictation and spelling with correctness, and to perform with accuracy the various operations of the primary rules of  arithmetic, viz, numeration, and the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers."

Each Flag Officers was requested to nominate one candidate from his command "not over 18 years of age."

We Need More Officers.  --Old B-Runner

USS Santee-- Part 5: Service at USNA

The Santee was refitted at the Boston Navy yard and recommissioned.  It was then sent to Newport, Rhode island, to serve as a school ship for the midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy (USNA).  The USNA had moved there from Annapolis, Maryland for safety during the war.

Midshipmen lived, studied and attended classes on the Santee and USS Constitution.

After the war, the USNA returned to Annapolis and the Santee with its midshipmen anchored near Fort Severn on 2 August 1865.

It continued use as a school ship.  In 1866, it became a gunnery ship for mastering of naval armaments.  After that, it also became a barracks ship for punishment and barracks for incoming fourth classmen.

Before dawn 2 April 1912, the Santee sank at its moorings in Annapolis.  Efforts to refloat it were unsuccessful.

It was sold to Joseph G. Hitner of Philadelphia on 2 August 1912.  It took six months to raise the Santee and 8 May 1913, it departed the Severn River under tow for Boston, Massachusetts where it was burned for the copper and brass in its hull.

--Old B-R'er

USS Santee-- Part 1: Construction Started 1820, But Not Launched Until 1855

From Wikipedia.

Since I had never heard of the USS Santee, I had to inquire further into its history.

It was a three-masted, wooden hulled sailing frigate. and one of the last sailing frigates in active service.  In the Civil War it was crewed by 480 and fitted out with an array of heavy guns.

It did blockade duty and later served as a training ship for the USNA.

It was rated for 44 guns and construction on the Santee began at Portsmouth Navy Yard in 1820, but lack of funds lef to it not being launched until 16 February 1855, but was not commissioned until 9 June 1861, with Captain Henry Eagle in command.

--Old B-R'er

James Harmon Ward, USN-- Part 1: First U.S. Navy Officer Killed in the War

From Wikipedia.

On June 27, 2016, I mentioned that that was the 155th  anniversary of the death of U.S. Naval Officer James Harmon Ward during an attack on Confederate positions at Mathias Point, Virginia.

(25 September 1806- 27 June 1861)

First U.S. Navy officer killed in the Civil War.  Born in Hartford, Connecticut and attended schools before being appointed a midshipman 4 March 1823.  Served on the USS Constitution for four years in the Mediterranean, then was on the African slave trade routes and in the West Indies because of piracy.

On October 10, 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy opened and Ward was one of the five founders of it.  generally considered as one of the most scholarly of U.S. Naval officers.

--Old B-Runner